The premiere of the brand new VW Bulli attracted a variety of consideration on the commerce present in Hanover, Germany. Visually upgraded with a clear, sober design, it’s the unmistakable inheritor to its now six predecessors. The brand new VW Bulli is accessible in three Transporter variants (property, panel van and flatbed) and as a Caravelle (passenger transport). The property and the panel van are optionally accessible with a excessive roof and an prolonged wheelbase. And there are seven engine choices: three diesel, one plug-in hybrid and three electrical variants.
Essentially the most fascinating factor in regards to the seventh era is what has occurred underneath the bonnet. Particularly, the VW Transporter succeeds the T6.1, manufacturing of which was discontinued in Hanover this 12 months. And: it’s not an in-house improvement from Volkswagen Business Autos (VWCV), however the results of a cooperation with Ford Professional. As reported, the Volkswagen Transporter will share the expertise with the Ford Transit Customized and its electrical offshoot E-Transit Customized, which, just like the latter, can be produced in Kocaeli, Turkey.
Let’s concentrate on the battery-electric vary: At VWCV, this drive variant known as the e-Transporter or e-Caravelle. The producer has introduced three energy ranges for the electrical van: 100 kW, 160 kW, and 210 kW, mixed with a 64 kWh battery (internet). There may even be an electrical model with decreased energy and a smaller battery for city supply site visitors – however VWCV has but to disclose any extra particulars. The electrical motor drives the rear axle; in keeping with VWCV info from August, an all-wheel drive model can also be deliberate.
The important thing figures for the battery and electrical drive usually are not stunning, as they correspond to the values Ford said at its mannequin’s world premiere earlier this 12 months. When the US producer first introduced its electrical transporter in 2022, it gave totally different figures in some circumstances, akin to 74 kWh battery capability and a better vary of 380 kilometres.
Ford’s WLTP vary of 337 kilometres for the E-Transit Customized ought to nonetheless be ample for many tradesmen and supply jobs. Prospects will quickly discover out whether or not VWCV’s declare of providing “modern and versatile autos for professionals” could be fulfilled in all areas. Excessive payloads and towing capability will considerably scale back the vary. VWCV solely states a towing capability of “as much as 2.8 tons, relying on the variant” – no particular determine is given for the electrical model. There’s additionally no determine for the payload (as much as 1.33 tons) for the e-Transporter
The brand new Transporter is 5.05 meters lengthy (+14.6 cm in comparison with the T6.1), 2.03 meters vast (+12.8 cm) and has a wheelbase of three.10 meters (+9.7 cm). A 40-cm longer wheelbase may even be accessible as an choice, rising the outside size to five.45 meters. The utmost width between the wheel arches will increase by 14.8 cm to 1.39 meters, whereas the load compartment flooring size is 2.60 meters (+6.1 cm). With the prolonged wheelbase, that is additionally 40 cm extra, i.e. a full three meters. The biggest stowage quantity of the variations with a typical wheelbase is 5.8 cubic meters. With an extended wheelbase and excessive roof, the amount will increase to as much as 9.0 cubic meters. We already supplied additional particulars—together with the inside—in August in an preliminary presentation spherical of the brand new Bulli.
vwn-presse.de (E-Transporter)