Volkswagen has launched the long-awaited new Transporter van, which, as is tradition, also comes in passenger-carrying nine-seat Caravelle form.
What’s new about the Transporter?
Everyone’s favourite surfing van has been given a genuinely new look. The outgoing Transporter 6.1 had carried over styling from the 1990 T4 version, and while it was updated, you could clearly see the resemblance.
Now, the Transporter gets a much more curved, snub-nosed front end, which, if you squint a bit, is reminiscent of the original 1950s and 1960s Transporter. Around the back, you can see more of the Transporter’s similarities with the Ford Transit.
Hang on, the Ford Transit?
Yup. The two vans share a common chassis and engine line-up and are built in the same factory in Turkey. While the front styling is entirely unique to Volkswagen, at the rear, you can see some of the same panels as used by the Transit, albeit dressed up a bit with VW’s own lights and trims.
What about the engines?
You can choose from three diesel engines - 110hp, 150hp and 170hp - the last of which comes as standard with an automatic gearbox, which is optional on the other versions—and three electric models, 136hp, 218hp and 286hp, all using a 64kWh battery. There’s also a plug-in hybrid model with 232hp.
The diesels are all front-wheel drive, as is the plug-in hybrid (you can optionally have 4Motion four-wheel drive for the diesels) while the electric versions are all rear-wheel drive, with an upcoming four-wheel-drive variant.
Volkswagen hasn’t issued an official range for the electric versions, but the equivalent e-Transit Custom manages 337km, so the Transporter should be run in the same ballpark. The plug-in hybrid should go for around 56km on a full charge of its battery.
It should be noted that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland has yet to confirm the mix of powertrains available to Irish buyers.
Is this just a van? Or can I have seats?
You can absolutely have seats. If you want a proper passenger model, there’s the Caravelle, which comes with nine seats and can be optioned up to a high-end Style spec, which includes 17-inch alloys (19-inch rims are optional), faux-leather seats, three-zone air conditioning and more. You can also have an optional panoramic glass roof and a Hardon/Kardon stereo.
All models come as standard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 13-inch infotainment screen, keyless ignition, automated emergency braking and an electronic parking brake. There’s also an optional long-wheelbase version of the Caravelle if you need the ultimate in cabin space.
Irish-market pre-sales open before the end of 2024 for early 2025 "251" delivery. We don't yet have Irish pricing for the Caravelle.
Paul Hunt, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland, said: “The addition of a seventh-generation Transporter with increased space, a bigger payload, greater towing capacity and state-of-the-art equipment is great news for Ireland’s small and medium-sized businesses. We will continue to offer the Transporter with a range of fuel-efficient turbodiesel engines as well as new plug-in hybrid and all-electric drivetrains. The Transporter retains its title and the standard bearer for medium-sized commercial vehicles. Alongside the award-winning ID. Buzz Cargo, Multivan, Caddy and Crafter, we have our strongest ever line-up of vans.”