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VW T7 Transporter: Commercial Van Comes Fully Electric with Two Batteries

As part of the "Van of the Year" jury, we are already taking a look at the new transporter, codename "T7 Nutz." Based on the Ford Transit Custom, it comes with an appealing package visually, but it falters in terms of brand core space efficiency. However, the launch is not until mid-2024, but then as an electric vehicle, with two battery sizes and a range of 250 to 400 kilometers.

Despite the camouflage, you can still recognize the Ford in the VW; the new transporter looks somewhat high-heeled, is wider and longer than what you are used to from the manufacturer. | Photo: VWN
Despite the camouflage, you can still recognize the Ford in the VW; the new transporter looks somewhat high-heeled, is wider and longer than what you are used to from the manufacturer. | Photo: VWN
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von Johannes Reichel

Clattering is part of the trade. This is well known by the trade professionals at VW Commercial Vehicles in Hanover. At the very first "Sneak Preview" of the successor to the brand icon, the Transporter, in Vienna, they brought out the entire management of VW Commercial Vehicles for the dealers and press. And plenty of "pathos": They faced the challenge of reinventing a 60-year icon, while maintaining the Bulli line and giving the Transporter a "happy face." This can indeed be considered successful: Especially the front section, with an element of a white-colored bar with its large white surface, looks friendlier than the bulky black grille of the Ford counterpart.

The design also continues the relative closedness of the front, already conceived as a stylistic feature in the new Caddy, which emphasizes the horizontal. At the rear, the recesses of the LED lights, also made of white-colored plastic, stand out, with the central white space providing a good advertising surface. Moreover, 50 percent of the Transporters are white anyway, as the responsible parties know.

They aimed to create a "logical and timeless" design, according to chief designer Albert Kirzinger. The design drumming is all the more necessary, as it is essential to emphasize the independence of a product created in cooperation with Ford and based on the Ford Transit Custom, which will already be launched this fall. However, the Diesel will be the first to be introduced, with the electric version coming not before the fourth quarter of 2024.

First, the pre-pre-sale starts

With the BEV, they could be roughly on par with the technically identical VW Transporter, whose pre-pre-sale of the Diesel (81 kW, starting at 36,780 net) begins at the end of this year, and from May 2024, the plug-in hybrid and electric versions should be orderable. This is precisely timed with the end of production of the T6.1 Transporter in June 2024, whose order list was so long that new orders were stopped in mid-2023. Waiting for the electric model, which, due to its complexity, formed the basis of the development of the "multi-traction model," as it's called at VW, could be worth it.

Two battery sizes to choose from

Because the Transporter T7 "Nutz," its internal nickname distinguishing it from the MQB-based large van T7 Multivan, will be available as an electric version with two battery capacities, 54 and 83 kWh gross, which should be sufficient for ranges of 250 to 420 kilometers. Many logistics companies or craftsmen will likely settle for the basic electric model for cost and operational reasons, especially since the 54-kWh base already provides 85 kW for a brisk start and can, if necessary, be charged with 125 kW direct current, somewhat inconveniently positioned at the right front bumper for technical reasons. With 210 kW in the electric all-wheel drive, it's more suited for private customers.

The Baby-BEV should suffice for many tradespeople

Additionally, the "Baby-BEV" certainly offers more payload, which is supposed to be 1,020 kilos for the electric model, with a maximum of 1,380 kilos for the payload-strong diesel, each with a total weight of 3.2 tons (standard for the BEV anyway). In terms of towing capacity, the BEV can also keep up for a long time, supposed to be 2.0 to 2.2 tons, compared to 2.5 to 2.8 tons for the combustion engine. In addition, there will be a double cab flatbed version of the electric model (only with a large battery), and an all-wheel drive with an additional front motor will be available alongside the standard rear-wheel drive, which also comes from Ford itself. Incidentally, the 2.0-liter Diesel Eco Blue engines under the distinctively designed hood, which come with 81, 110, and 125 kW and up to 390 Nm torque, are paired with a six-speed manual transmission and optionally an eight-speed automatic.

Aussagen in diesem Video müssen nicht mit der Meinung der Redaktion übereinstimmen.

Why still have a plug-in hybrid when you have an electric vehicle?

And also the plug-in hybrid, whose justification is believed by both VW and Ford, comes from the Americans and takes over the Ford Kuga setup of 2.5-liter Atkinson gasoline engine and electric machine, together producing 168 kW, but with a maximum range of 60 kilometers emission-free. It remains to be seen whether this "bridge technology," which is no longer reasonably state-incentivized, will also catch on with commercial users when one can have a future-proof full-electric vehicle.

And VW, of course, wants to achieve the goal of selling 35 percent BEV and PHEV by 2025 and then 55 percent of vehicles as full electric versions by 2030. This will primarily include the widely sold-out ID. Buzz (unfortunately, the new L2 not as cargo) as well as the T7 Transporter and eventually an electric successor to the Crafter, which is set to receive an electronics update first. On the other hand, VWN chief Carsten Intra emphasizes that they will also rely on diesel until the legal phase-out date of 2035.

Rather poorer space efficiency: Plus 15 centimeters length

The entire package of the Ford Custom is generally well accepted at VW, where the generally good collaboration with the Americans is emphasized. However, according to Hanoverian tradition and space craftsmanship, the vehicle likely wouldn't have grown further, to almost American lengths of 5.05 and 5.45 meters (plus 15 centimeters) in the two variants, as well as to a VW Crafter width of 2.03 meters, an increase of 13 centimeters. At least this interior increase translates to 15 centimeters more interior width, meaning plenty of room even between the flat wheel arches for pallet loading. Additionally, the Bulli remains as flat as before, at under two meters, but is said to have significantly improved in aerodynamics.

Closed Front in Multivan-Look

Not only does the fairly closed front hint at this, but also the air intakes in the front bumper inspired by Formula 1, which are supposed to minimize turbulence from the wheels. In total, the base volume shrinks from the T6.1 to the T7: 5.5 instead of 5.8 cubic meters are allowed in the short base. It is 8.9 cubic meters in the long high-roof version, where the old T6.1 high-roof held 9.3 cubic meters, at 4.90 meters length and 1.90 meters width. The T6 was simply an incredibly space-efficient package. As consolation, up to 170 kg of roof load can still be carried on top. There are 2.60 meters in L1 or three meters loading length in L2 available at 1.43 meters loading height, plus 40 centimeters with the obligatory through-loading. Additionally, VW advertises that customers will be able to transfer their possibly expensive fittings to the new version.

Fittings should be compatible with the new model

Speaking of fittings: Even in the interior, VW Commercial Vehicles sets completely independent accents and differentiates itself a bit from its partner with the usual mix of high-quality material feel, straightforward "3D design" and practicality, aiming to offer a mix of digital and mechanical control elements oriented towards commercial customers. The digital cockpit with the central instrument cluster and the central infotainment screen (10.3" standard, 13" optional) also looks more high-quality.

Standard at Ford and VW are the sturdy 17-inch wheels, LED lights, an electric parking brake, keyless start, optional goodies like the external 2.3 kW outlet for the BEV, a digital rearview mirror, or the LED matrix headlights. And of course, in terms of connectivity and assistance, they are at the same (high) level as Ford. If only it wouldn’t take so long anymore. Quite early to be making noise, dear VW people!

Translated automatically from German.
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