VW people carrier reinvented
Now called the Multivan, it has a car-based platform and a raft of new tech
The new Volkswagen Multivan has been revealed, marking one of the most significant reinventions for the company’s largest MPV in its 71-year history. The passengercarrying version, previously called the Caravelle, now has a new name to reflect its comprehensive reinvention and the fact that it no longer shares its underpinnings with the commercially oriented Transporter.
Instead, the seven-seater has made the switch to an extended version of the Volkswagen Group’s caroriented MQB platform, also used by the Seat Tarraco, Skoda Kodiaq and VW Tiguan.
That move paves the way for a raft of technological, stylistic and ergonomic enhancements while allowing the MPV to adopt a new plug-in hybrid powertrain. The Multivan ehybrid’s electrified powertrain pairs a 148bhp 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine with a 114bhp electric motor on the front axle for a combined output of 215bhp, while a 13kwh battery under the floor allows for electric-only running on “short, urban trips”.
A choice of 1.5 and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines are also available and a 201bhp diesel will join the line-up next year. Whereas the hybrid gets a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the combustion variants use a familiar eight-speed item.
Along with the mechanical revisions, the seven-seater has been completely redesigned,
❝ The Multivan ehybrid pairs a 1.4 petrol with a 114bhp electric motor ❞
with stylistic nods to the 1985 T3-generation Transporter among its defining features. In typical Transporter fashion, it is available in a horizontally split two-tone livery, but a full-width grille and sharply styled LED lights set it clearly apart from the outgoing version.
As standard, it is 1941mm wide, 4973mm long and 1903mm tall (although a 5173mm-long extendedwheelbase option is also available), which means it’s slightly larger overall than the T6-generation Transporter. Improved aerodynamics are claimed to boost efficiency, too.
VW claims the Multivan is “more flexible and spacious than ever” inside, highlighting a new modular seating system and ‘multifunction’ table. The five rear seats can be removed entirely and the second row can be spun to create a social seating arrangement.
The base version has 469 litres of boot space, extending to 1844 litres with the rearmost seats removed.
VW says the absence of a centre console – made possible by the removal of the
conventional handbrake and gearstick – has allowed for a flat floor throughout the cabin.
The driver area has also been subject to radical revisions to bring the Multivan more closely in line with VW’S latest passenger cars. A new multifunction steering wheel, 10.25in digital display and 10.0in central touchscreen are standard features, while optional upgrades include a head-up display and wireless phone charger.
Also included are advanced safety features such as road sign recognition, lane assist and automatic emergency braking. The Multivan is VW’S first commercial vehicle to adopt the new IQ Drive system, which uses the adaptive cruise control and lane assist functions to enable what it calls “semi-autonomous driving” on long-distance journeys.
VW has yet to confirm pricing for the new model, but prices for the outgoing Caravelle start at about £50,000, and a slight premium can be expected.