VW Transporter goes on sale with diesel and electric powertrains

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is now accepting orders for the all-new Transporter panel van, which is initially available with diesel or fully-electric powertrains.

The engine line-up will expand with plug-in hybrid (eHybrid) variants later in the year.

Based on the same platform as the Ford Transit Custom, the Transporter will be available as a panel van, a panel van “Plus” (load compartment, seats in the second row, various partitions), crewbus (focused on passenger transport) and as a double cab with platform body and long wheelbase.

The crewbus and panel van versions will be optionally available with a high roof.

Prices for the current range start from £32,165 (CV OTR) for the diesel variant, while the fully electric model is priced from £42,800.

Volkswagen has also launched a new version of its Transporter-based minibus – Caravelle. This offers nine seats, and will be available as an entry-level version, with a mid-range Life equipment specification, and a top-of the-range Style version. This will also be available with an extended wheelbase.

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The Transporter TDI is available in three gross vehicle weight (GVW) configurations: 2.8-tonne (T28), 3.0-tonne (T30) and 3.2-tonne (T32). The maximum payload is 1,280Kg and the maximum towing capacity is 2,800Kg.

Electric e-Transporter models can be ordered as 3.2-tonne (T32) or 3.4-tonne (T34) GVW. The maximum payload is 1,098Kg and maximum towing capacity is 2,300Kg.

The stowage volume in the panel van Transporter with a normal wheelbase (SWB) has increased by more than 10% to 5.8cu m. The long wheelbase (LWB) version has a 6.8cu m loadspace. When high roof versions go on sale, they will have a cargo capacity of 9.0cu m.

All models feature a redesigned cockpit which has a 12-inch fully digital instrument panel and a 13-inch central touchscreen. It also integrates various USB and 12V sockets as well as the option to add one or, in the case of the plug-in hybrid and electric models, up to three 230V sockets.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity is standard, along with air conditioning, LED headlights, lane keeping assist and traffic sign recognition.

There are three trim levels available: Commerce (TDI only), Commerce Plus and Commerce Pro.

Commerce Plus gets body-coloured bumpers, parking sensors and a reversing camera. On the e-Transporter this trim level also includes heated seats and automatic climate control.

Commerce Pro features alloy wheels, heated seats, climate control, power folding mirrors, wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, lane assist and blind spot monitor.

The TDI powertrain is available with three power outputs - 110PS, 150PS and 170PS - achieving up to 40mpg. A six speed manual transmission comes as standard on 110PS and 150PS models. The 170PS engine comes with an eight-speed automatic, which is also optionally available on the 150PS model. Most variants are front-wheel-drive but the T32 150PS can also have 4Motion all-wheel-drive.

The e-Transporter comes in two variants: 136PS and 218PS. Both use a 65kWh battery, providing a range of 190 - 201 miles (WLTP). A heat pump is fitted as standard.

All UK customers will receive Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ 5+ Promise Warranty and Service plan as standard, which includes five services, five years’ warranty and five years’ roadside assistance

First deliveries of the new VW Transporter are expected in April.