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New Volkswagen Transporter finally revealed

Craig Cheetham, contributor
Mon, 16 Sept 2024

The all-new Volkswagen Transporter T7 has made its global debut at the IAA Transportation Show in Hannover.

The new model is the latest iteration of Volkswagen’s best-selling and most important model, but for the first time in the brand’s history the Transporter has been developed in conjunction with another manufacturer.

The van shares much of its body architecture and rear panels with the Ford Transit Custom, but with a distinctive front end that Volkswagen says echoes the look of the original Type 2 ‘Bulli’.

The rounded nose is certainly very different to that of the Ford, but the interior will appear very familiar to Ford Transit Custom owners.  

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It will be offered in two different body lengths while the standard roof height model will be below two metres in height, allowing access to parking garages and multi-storey car parks.

The 5.8 metre cargo area (SWB) offers 5.8 cubic metres of load space, with a wider load bay than before and room for two Euro pallets.

Chassis cab variants will also be available from launch, with VW showing a dropside conversion as part of its stand display at the show.

The T7 will be available as a Kombi crew van and a nine-seater Shuttle, as well as the passenger-oriented Caravelle.

The interior features a 12-inch digital instrument panel and a 13-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, wireless charging, keyless start and advanced safety systems including lane keep assist, autonomous emergency braking and traffic sign recognition.

Three diesel engines will be offered, with power outputs of 111PS, 150PS or 170PS. Like the Ford Transit Custom, the Volkswagen will also be offered as a plug-in hybrid known as the eHybrid.

There will be a pure-electric model – the Volkswagen eTransporter which will come in 136PS, 217PS and 285PS outputs, with a 64kWh battery promising a range comfortably in excess of 200 miles.

The new T7 will go on sale in the UK in early 2025, with pricing and specification details to follow.

Ask HJ

Is a used Ford Transit Custom a reliable buy?

I am looking at a 2016 Ford Transit Custom, however I have read terrible reviews of this year’s model. The model I am looking at is a limited black 2.0 TDCi 130ps with 80000 miles on the clock. I am aiming to use it as my only vehicle, replacing my car and campervan to cut down costs. Annual mileage will be about 5000 miles.I am a 70 year old woman and live on a small pension, so cannot afford any costly problems. Would you recommend this vehicle, or do you suggest I steer clear of it?
There are a few known issues with cambelt failure on "wet belt" engines on this model (without seeing the VIN plate we can't tell you if it is a wet belt engine or not) but otherwise reliability is good. The issue is that sometimes the belt fails before Ford's recommended seven-year/144,000 mile replacement. Given the age and mileage of the van you're looking at we'd either insist on a new cambelt before sale or alternatively, if it's a private sale, factor in a cambelt replacement cost of circa £750 into the price you offer for the van. Otherwise the Ford Transit Custom is a great van to drive with plenty of affordable parts and repair options.
Answered by Craig Cheetham
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