The next-generation Volkswagen Transporter will be unveiled at the IAA Transportation show in Hanover, Germany in September, the firm has announced.
Recently spotted testing on roads around Germany in electric form, the Ford Transit Custom twin will adopt an all-new architecture developed with Ford, allowing it to become available as an EV for the first time.
Previously shown in a teaser video, the hugely popular van was pictured dressed in heavy camouflage, with just a wide grille and headlamp redesign the obvious visual changes over the outgoing model.
Two versions were spotted; the cargo-carrying panel van and tipper. From launch, it will again be available as a nine-seater Shuttle, a two-row Kombi and the panel van.
A Sportline trim is also expected to be offered, although this hasn't yet been confirmed.
The van makes up two-thirds of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) sales and will be built at the Ford Otosan factory in Turkey.
For the first time, the Transporter won't serve as the basis for the California camper van. Instead, that model will be derived from the MQB-based Multivan MPV, as previewed by a concept in August.
VWCV boss Carsten Intra told Autocar: “A Multivan has to be much more comfortable and much more upscale [than the Transporter]. This is why we now have two line-ups. This is a really important project.”
The Transporter “will be our only multi-traction vehicle”, said Intra. “We can't afford to build another platform [for the same vehicle]. It's just too expensive. This is a vehicle that, unlike the California, doesn’t give you the highest margin per sale.”
He added: “We have a lot of customers that need the space and need a BEV but others that can't yet afford a BEV but drive in cities so want a hybrid. We can now offer that.”
Intra was referring to the fact that VW also offers the similarly conceived Multivan PHEV and electric Volkswagen ID Buzz.
The Transporter is expected to use Ford’s batteries, electric motors, engines, gearboxes and chassis structures across its line-up.
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Ever since the Transit moved to Turkey our company had nothing but trouble with body panels. Either backorder, or damaged...
As long as VW ditches it's infotainment system, I am all for it.
That system (also used in other VAG cars) is the biggest piece of crap in the industry, and has been for years. Lagging, rebooting, freezing up constantly. Owned a T5, 3 T6's, currently a T6.1 california, Audi A3, 2 RS3's, 8 crafters,... So I think I have some experience.
VW have always managed to persuade buyers that the Transporter is better than competitors, and having owned 5 over the years (as well as other vans) I know this to be nothing more than marketing bs. It will be interesting to see how the buyers react to this - a Transit with VW grille, dashboard and lights. The important bits - chassis, engines, gearboxes, suspension - are all pure Ford, made in alongside the Transit in Turkey.