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Van spotlight

Volkswagen Transporter

Continuing a 75-year lineage, the new Transporter includes versatile electric and plug-in hybrid versions to suit increasingly diverse fleet needs. Here’s what you need to know.

At a glance...

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How much space do you get in the Transporter?

Volkswagen’s mid-size van line-up now spans models, with the car-derived Multivan MPV and electric ID.Buzz now available alongside the familiar Transporter nameplate. This seventh-generation Transporter continues a product line that started in 1950 – but it’s the first to be co-developed with Ford. It’s closely related to the latest Transit Custom, and the two vans offer similar capabilities.

The launch line-up includes short and long (+400mm) wheelbase options, offering load capacities of 5.8m3 or 6.8m3 respectively. Although that’s almost identical to its predecessor, both offer a longer and wider floor – big enough for three Euro pallets in the long wheelbase version – with a load-through provision in the bulkhead. For fleets needing even more space, the Transporter can carry 170kg on its roof and tow up to 2.8 tonnes.

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Is the Transporter available as an electric van?

Yes, and the new e-Transporter is a much better all-rounder than its predecessor. Its 64kWh battery offers 190-200 miles of range, compared to 82 miles in the old model, with 125kW DC rapid charging restoring around 80% of that capacity in around half an hour. Customers can choose 148bhp or 215bhp power outputs in both wheelbase lengths, while all versions have a gross weight under 3,500kg despite offering a one-tonne payload and braked towing capacity of up to 2.3 tonnes.

Volkswagen is also offering three turbodiesel options – producing 109bhp, 148bhp and 168bhp – with four-wheel drive on the mid-spec engine and eight-speed automatic gearboxes on all except the entry-level model. A plug-in hybrid will follow in 2026, offering a useful stepping stone for drivers with a mix of urban and inter-urban routes. It’s a reflection of ever-broader fleet needs.

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What useful features does the Transporter offer for fleets?

The Transporter’s interior will feel familiar to anyone who’s driven one of Volkswagen’s latest passenger cars. It features a configurable 12.3-inch digital display and intuitive 13-inch central touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity and optional connected services, enabling drivers to monitor the van from their smartphone.

For ease of use, the compact 11.8-metre turning circle and low roofline to get into tight car parks. All three trim levels include essentials such as air conditioning, cruise control and rear parking sensors, while a folding table, keyless entry and overhead storage provide extra convenience for drivers. Plug-in hybrid and e-Transporter models include a 230-volt outlet in the load area, ideal for powering equipment such as laptops and powertools from the high-voltage battery. It’s perfectly equipped to take your work on the road.

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