Volkswagen has given us a first look at the exterior of the new Transporter van, and it’s fair to say that it has very different styling from its predecessor.
Whereas the outgoing T6.1 Transporter had a look clearly derived from the 1990 T4, this latest Transporter gets distinctly different front-end styling, with a much more curved engine cover, giving it an almost snub-nosed look.
Around the back, it’s easy to see the commonality between this new Transporter and the latest Ford Transit Custom van — both cars share a platform and engines and will be built in the same factory in Turkey — but VW has added some separation between the two with different rear lights and some subtle reshaping around the bumper.
Extensive range
As before, the Transporter will come with an extensive range of body, seating, and payload options. The range starts with the regular panel van and extends through a crew-cab version called the panel van Plus, a multi-seat Kombi (though not in Ireland), a more luxurious multi-seat Caravelle, and a double-cab version with a long wheelbase and a platform body suitable for conversion.
Volkswagen will offer the regular panel van in high-roof and extended-wheelbase versions. This time around, the Caravelle gets nine seats and will be offered as a basic model, a more well-equipped Life version, or a range-topping ‘Style’ model.
Another variant, the PanAmericana, will be offered in selected markets in both panel van and Caravelle versions and is aimed at those looking for some off-road performance. The PanAmericana comes with, according to VW: “robust all-terrain trims on the side sills and wheel arches, grained bumpers designed for tough conditions and a painted radiator grille.” There is also a protective wrap for the lower edges of the rear door, while there is also exclusive PanAmericana interior trim. Optionally, the PanAmericana can be equipped with 4MOTION four-wheel drive to back up its rugged looks.
Electric and diesel versions for the Volkswagen Transporter
The Transporter’s engine lineup consists of traditional diesel engines and electric power, both as a battery-electric van and a plug-in hybrid.
The diesel options consist of 110hp, 150hp, and 170hp 2.0-litre TDI engines, while the plug-in e-Hybrid gets 232hp, and there will be three electric options with 136hp, 218hp, and 286hp, all based around a 64kWh battery pack. Later, there will also be a lower-power electric transporter with a smaller battery that will be aimed at urban delivery services.
So far, VW has not announced official electric ranges for the plug-in hybrid nor the electric versions of the Transporter, but the equivalent Transit models have claimed ranges of 56km and up to 337km, respectively, so expect the VW figures to be broadly similar.
Diesel and e-Hybrid versions get front-wheel drive with optional 4MOTION four-wheel drive, while the electric models are all rear-wheel drive, with a two-motor four-wheel drive electric model planned for later release. An eight-speed automatic gearbox is standard for the 170hp TDI version and optional on the others, while all of the electric and e-Hybrid versions are, perforce, automatic as a default.
Sophisticated cabin for the new Volkswagen Transporter
For the driver, the new Transporter rings in cabin changes, too. There’s now a starter button rather than starting with a key, and there’s a standard 13-inch infotainment and telematics touchscreen.
All models now get an electronic parking brake, while automatic versions get a shifter on the steering column, which frees up more storage space on the centre console.
Volkswagen Transporter space and load capacity
The Transporter is now 146mm longer than its predecessor, breaking the five-metre barrier at 5,050mm. The wheelbase is 97mm longer, now standing at 3,100mm. Optionally, you can have an extended wheelbase model, which stretches to 3,500mm between the wheels and 5,450mm overall.
The Transporter is also a little wider than before — by 128mm — at 2,032mm (not counting the door mirrors). The load compartment is also a little wider than before, growing by 148mm to 1,392mm, making it easier to load a standard EuroPallet. The load compartment length is 2,602mm, increasing to 3,002mm for the long-wheelbase model.
The total load capacity for standard-size panel van models is now 5.8 cubic metres, and this expands to 9.0 cubic metres for the long-wheelbase, high-roof models. Depending on how it is configured, the Transporter can have as many as six seats.
The turning circle for the standard-length panel van is a tight 11.8-metres, and the maximum payload is 1.33-tonnes, with a maximum towing weight — depending on the model — of 2.8-tonnes.
All versions can supply electrical power through USB sockets and an optional 230-volt domestic socket, while electric versions come with two additional standard 230-volt connections. Volkswagen says the Transporter can supply power for everything from laptops to circular saws.
Extra equipment for the Volkswagen Transporter
As standard, all Transporter models will now come with LED lights front and rear, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold, a 12-inch digital instrument panel, a 13-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a multifunction steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, lane-keeping assistant, autonomous emergency braking, and traffic sign recognition. Top-spec Caravelle Style models include 17-inch alloy wheels (19-inch wheels are an option), keyless access, leatherette seats, three-zone air conditioning, and second-row sunblinds.