Volkswagen reveals new Transporter T7 with fully-electric options

Volkswagen has given the first details of the fully electric Transporter T7 ahead of the van’s global debut next month.

The seventh generation of VW’s famous van is the first to come with a purely electric powertrain alongside diesel and petrol plug-in hybrid models. It will sit alongside the ID.Buzz Cargo in VWs electric range and be offered in two main variants – regular panel van and the Caravelle passenger transport – with multiple configurations for each.

The new Transporter is based on the same platform as the Ford E-Transit Custom, as part of a joint-development deal between the two brands. To differentiate it from its Ford cousin, the Transporter has been tweaked to give it a more VW ‘face’ with a smaller grille, reshaped front bumper and different headlights.

But under the skin, the T7 offers the same three electric powertrains as the Ford. Entry level versions get a 135bhp motor, and there’s a 215bhp version plus the 282bhp motor found in the Transit Custom MS-RT. All three versions are rear-wheel-drive but VW says an all-wheel-drive 4Motion variant is planned for future release.

All versions of the electric Transporter use a 64kWh battery. Volkswagen hasn’t announced expected ranges yet, but the Transit Custom offers from 147 miles in the most powerful model to 209 miles for the entry-level motor.

VW will eventually release a cheaper version with a smaller battery and less powerful motor, intended for urban delivery.

At launch, the T7 will be offered as a three-seat panel van; panel van ‘plus’ with a second row of seats; Kombi for passenger transport and as a double cab variant with a long-wheelbase platform body. The Kombi and panel van will both also be available with an extended wheelbase and high roof.

The new Transporter is 5,050mm long, with a wheelbase that’s been stretched nearly 10cm compared with the previous generation. The maximum width between the wheel housings has been increased by 148mm to 1,392mm and the load compartment on standard vans has been stretched 61mm to 2,602mm. In the extended wheelbase, the load compartment length grows to 3,002mm. The extra length and width mean more capacity and the normal wheelbase now has a capacity of 5.8m3. The long wheelbase, high roof variant will accommodate up to 9.0m3.

We don’t yet have the specific payloads for the electric versions but we’d expect them to be very close to the Transit Custom, which manages between 1,062kg and 1,088kg, with an impressive towing capacity of 2.3 tonnes.

There will also be a new generation of the Carvelle – favoured by airport taxi firms around the world. This nine-seater passenger van will also be offered in standard and extended wheelbase and in rugged PanAmericana spec. This lifestyle-focused finish features ‘robust all-terrain design’ and unique equipment levels and will also be offered on the panel van.

Inside, VW has had to follow Ford’s plans, so there’s the same basic setup as the Transit, with 12-inch digital instruments, a 13-inch touchscreen with smartphone mirroring, and a host of practical storage areas. As you would expect, standard equipment has been upgraded and now includes LED lights, keyless start, lane assist, autonomous emergency braking and dynamic road sign display.

There’s no word on UK pricing for the T7 yet but we’d expect it to stick pretty close to the Ford, which starts at £43,380 before VAT and runs to £62,009 for the hot MS-RT version.