The Volkswagen Multivan debuts as the new commercial vehicle of choice in the EU.
While Malaysians are more familiar with the Toyota HiAce and Nissan NV200 as the standard commercial van in the market. However, in Europe, the Volkswagen Caravelle has long been one of the mainstays for businesses there. That model has now been replaced by the all-new Volkswagen Multivan of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles division.
The all-new Multivan ditches the Transporter platform for the MQB platform which underpins vehicles like the Golf and Arteon. This will also be the first time a commercial vehicle from Volkswagen comes equipped with a plug-in hybrid option.
In terms of design, a the Multivan a full-width, body-coloured grille and headlights, unique light signatures and more. It measures 1,941mm wide, 4,973mm long, up to 1,903mm high, and with a wheelbase of 3,124mm. There’s 469L of luggage space behind the third row of seats and this can be expanded to 1850L with those seats removed. Without any of the rear seats, luggage space is 4053 on the longer, fully-decked out model.
The longer model measures 5,173mm. Wheels of up to 19″ and a panoramic glass roof can be specified. The rear hatch is electrically-operated and power sliding doors can be operated with gesture controls.
LED headlights are standard and IQ.LIGHT LED Matrix headlights are optional. This system features an illuminated LED lateral bar in the radiator grille.
Inside, a new modular seating system is featured allowing for configurations of up to 7 seats. The five seats in the rear are 25% lighter and can be removed. The second row of seats can be swivelled around 180-degrees. A multi-funcion table uses a central track to be moved to any of the seating rows, including the front row as a centre console.It is removable, adjustable in terms of height and has 3 cup holders and a storage bin.
An electronic parking brake replaces the traditional handbrake. Only a DSG is available and it uses shift-by-wire technology. A multi-function steering wheel, touch controls and a set of 10.25″ and 10″ digital displays bring the Volkswagen Multivan into the modern era. USB-C ports are standard with optional wireless charging. A heads-up display is optional for the first time on any Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle.
Powering the Volkswagen Multivan is either a 1.5 TSI, a 2.0 TSI am unspecified diesel or a 1.4 TSI plug-in hybrid powertrain. The ICE models use a 7-speed DSG while the PHEV model gets a 6-speed DSG.
