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For the first time, the new VW Multivan will also feature a plug-in hybrid drive
Photo: Uli Sonntag / Volkswagen
The first impression: a
rectangle on wheels.
After all, the body was rounded a little in the wind tunnel to reduce CO₂ emissions.
This is what the manufacturer says:
"No more compromises!" For VW commercial vehicle boss Carsten Indra, the new Multivan is a little liberation. Up until now, the car always had to keep an eye on two target groups at the same time: commercial customers who watch every penny, as well as wealthy parents and globetrotters. Now there is a clear division. "With this model, we are only targeting private customers, we are focusing even more on the car and thus offer significant added value in terms of ambience and equipment," says Indra. If you want to skimp, chauffeur colleagues or just drive boxes around, you should buy the previous model. That is still being built.
Such a vehicle as a family car - how is that compatible with VW's climate targets? "With today's pollutant and consumption standards, such vehicle concepts are almost impossible to represent," groans Josef Baumert, the head of production. It seems a bit strange that minibuses like the popular Multivan are rarely called climate killers in the public debate, unlike SUVs. In view of legal requirements, the engineers also had to save CO₂ with the Multivan. "That gave us a lot of headache," admits the VW manager. The solution was to switch to the modular transverse matrix (MQB) of the car colleagues and to use a plug-in hybrid drive for the Bulli for the first time. In addition, the car was lightened by 200 kilos. The result: "On average, the Multivan now uses around one liter less than before," says Indra.
A powerful diesel engine or mechanical all-wheel drive could no longer be implemented under these circumstances.
The powerful diesel is to be submitted in 2026.
We noticed that:
the relationship to the golf is abundantly clear.
The driver sits higher, but the steering wheel and digital instruments are familiar from the compact class bestseller, as is the touchscreen.
Unfortunately, VW also took over the sensor strip underneath.
The finger slips through them like through a rain gutter when the radio is too loud or the ventilation is too strong.
And it is still not lit and totally impractical in the dark.
When it comes to equipment, the minibus is catching up.
There are inductive charging cradles, wireless smartphone integration and USB interfaces on all seats.
For the first time there is a panorama roof, the largest in the VW range.
There are also a dozen assistance systems ranging from automatic lane guidance to head-up displays.
The Multivan now drives differently, similar to a car. Because the Multivan is no longer designed for heavy loads, the springs react much more sensitively.
Together with the soft, wide-angle steering, the car looks more comfortable and manageable, despite the extended wheelbase.
That pays off in parking garages.
In many garages it also helps that the car is two inches shallower than before.
And although it has become wider, it needs less storage space thanks to slimmer exterior mirrors.
It has become quieter on board.
With the drag coefficient, the wind noise has decreased, the windows are thicker, and the engines are more sophisticated.
It hardly hurts anyone that VW has removed the previous intercom system for dialogue between the driver and guests from the list of options.
The quiet can be perfected with the first plug-in hybrid drive in Bulli history.
With this, the T7 becomes a Stromer for up to 50 kilometers and takes away the driving experience of the ID that is planned for next year.
Buzz first.
In addition, the electric motor brings the boom that the Multivan without a powerful diesel otherwise lacks when starting off.
Even if the car looks squat, the inside is as spacious as ever: medium-sized people stand almost upright in the car. Even in the third row, the legs sit more freely than in any other VW. The new rail system in the floor makes it easy to move chairs: up to six individual seats can be almost freely distributed in the rear. In between there is a console that is extremely versatile with armrests, folding tables, cooler compartment and cup holders.
You have to know that:
Multivan production in Hanover will start in a few weeks. Advance sales start in autumn. The first Multivan T7 are to be delivered in mid-November. The prices have risen significantly and now start at 44,839 euros for the base model with a length of 4.97 and 136 hp petrol engine. With the extended standard equipment, the Bulli will be 13 to 18 percent cheaper than before, according to sales manager Lars Krause. No matter how you calculate, the price can go up a lot: 1900 euros surcharge for 20 centimeters more length, 12,000 euros more for the plug-in hybrid drive, plus 10,000 euros for the top equipment - that's 70,000 euros without extras Euro.
There are two four-cylinder petrol engines, a diesel engine with 150 hp and the electric combustion mixed drive.
That comes to 218 PS and a standard consumption of 1.7 liters.
Since the previous model 6.1 remains in the range for the time being, the future of panel vans, minibuses and flatbed models is assured, as is that of the California camp site.
He will only switch to the new generation in two years.
We won't forget that:
the easy handling of the rear seats.
Even the rail system is a step forward, but most of all the weight has shrunk.
The seats slimmed down by 25 percent.
The back of the chair is no longer strength training.
Thomas Geiger is a freelance author and was supported in his research by VW. Reporting is independent of this.