Volkswagen Transporter MPV teased ahead of September debut

Volkswagen has released the first set of teasers for the next-gen Transporter MPV. The global debut of the new VW Transporter will take place by September this year at the IAA Transportation show in Hanover, Germany.

1. New VW Transporter gets major design changes
2. To share powertrain options with Ford Transit, Kuga

The new VW Transporter gets a major design overhaul. The styling now looks more like the newer VW MPVs, including the Bulli concept that was shown a few years ago. The front grille gets a fresh look, and there are new design headlamps that resemble the ID Buzz and Multivan sold overseas. At the back, it gets redesigned C-shaped LED lights inspired by the popular Transporter T5 manufactured between 2003 and 2015, together with horizontal character lines stretching the length of the tailgate to emphasise width.

The all-new Transporter actually shares its underpinnings and some body panels with the Ford Transit Custom MPV and sits on an all-new platform, allowing it to be available as an EV for the first time. Notably, the charging flap for electric and PHEV versions is located under the right-hand headlight. The new Volkswagen Transporter will be built at the Ford Otosan factory in Turkey.

The Transporter is expected to use Ford’s batteries, electric motors, engines, gearboxes and chassis structures across its line-up. It will also offer the same array of diesel, petrol-plug-in-hybrid and battery-electric powertrains as the Transit. The electric ‘E-Transporter’ will no doubt match the 380km range of the Ford and be sold with the same choice of 136hp or 218hp rear-axle-mounted motors.

Other powertrain options will include a 225hp plug-in hybrid (shared with the Ford Kuga) with a 11.8kWh battery, plus 110hp and 150hp, 2.0-litre diesels, which are offered with a manual transmission. All-wheel drive is an option, but only with the 8-speed automatic.

Ford Volkswagen partnership

Both brands have signed multiple joint agreements for co-developed and shared products like the Amarok pickup that is based on the Ranger, the Ford Explorer EV SUV that is based on the VW ID.4 EV, and the upcoming VW Transporter MPV that is be based on the Transit. 

In India, both brands work separately. While Ford is in the process of re-entering the Indian market, Volkswagen shares mainstream models with Skoda, which are based on the MQB-A0-IN platform.