Motoring with Bob Roco ROMEO: Volkswagen presents the next-generation transporter

Volkswagen is set to introduce the all-new ‘Transporter’, scheduled for launch in September 2025, marking a significant step forward in Volkswagen’s commercial vehicles lineup.

The new Transporter offers more space, more body styles, a higher payload and a greater economy.

The new-generation Transporter range is powered by a 2.0 TDI engine, offered in three power outputs: 81kW, 110kW, and 125kW paired with a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing a versatile range to suit different driving needs.

Well-equipped Transporter: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has significantly expanded the standard equipment package for its new Transporter models compared with the predecessor versions.

The following features now come as standard: LED headlights including Light Assist, an electronic parking brake with Auto Hold function, 12-inch digital instruments (Digital Cockpit), an infotainment system (including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 13-inch touchscreen), a multifunction steering wheel, keyless start system, rain sensor, lane assist lane keeping system, front assist automatic emergency braking system and dynamic road sign display.

The new Transporter now has an electronic parking brake plus the Auto Hold function. The operation of the electronic parking brake has been moved to the dashboard, freeing up more space in the footwell for through-cab access to the rear (depending on derivative and partition type).

The selector lever for the automatic gearbox now takes the form of a steering column switch. As before, the gear lever for the manual gearbox is located in the centre console.

The automatic versions have two cup holders in this location; this compartment can be closed with a shutter. There are additional cup holders and practical stowage compartments for items of all kinds in the upper part of the dashboard.

Ergonomic workplace: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has designed the driver’s workplace to be a professional and flexible work environment. The seats have a particularly ergonomic design. The spectrum here ranges from the four-way seat in the base versions to the optional individual seats with electric eight-way adjustment (front passenger: six-way) and four-way lumbar adjustment.

The new cockpit landscape is arranged on an axis that is easy for the driver to see. It consists of 12-inch digital instruments (Digital Cockpit with 30-cm diagonal) and the 13-inch touchscreen (33-cm diagonal) of the infotainment system. For the first time in a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle, the interior mirror is optionally available as a digital screen – an important feature especially for vehicles with a partition.

Noticeably better across the board: Compared with the predecessor model (T6.1), the Transporter offers significantly more space, higher payload and greater towing capacity. Three Euro pallets fit into the load compartment of the long wheelbase version. The maximum payload has also increased to up to 1.33 tonnes. Volkswagen has also increased the maximum trailer weight, which may now be as much as 2.8 tonnes depending on the drive system and model (previously 2.5 tonnes).

New exterior dimensions: The new Transporter is 5,050 mm long in the short wheelbase version, which is an increase of 146 mm over the preceding version, the T6.1. The wheelbase has been increased by 97 mm to 3,100 mm.

The Transporter is also available with a long wheelbase extended by 400 mm (overall length: 5,450 mm). The dropside version of the Transporter has the long wheelbase as standard. At 2,032 mm, the exterior width (without exterior mirrors) of all models has increased by 128 mm compared with their predecessors.

Front: The T5 can be seen briefly in the shape of the radiator grille, the T6.1 in the headlights and the T1 in the iconic clarity – but all these features have evolved significantly into a new Volkswagen Transporter look. The striking LED headlamps are an important style element, helping to make the new Transporter unmistakable in the crowd.

Silhouette: The side section shows the clean lines typical of a VW van. Similar to the T6.1, the upper contour of the headlights has been extended as a line into the side section, continuing through to the rear. Above this is the already mentioned Bulli line – a pronounced linear curvature. This divides the upper and lower areas of the body and is the designer’s way of paying homage to the very first generation of the Transporter.

Rear: The rear of the new Transporter Crew Bus and Kombi has a homogeneous design, giving it the clean look typical of a VW van. As with the T6.1, the new generation can be alternatively ordered with a boot lid or wing door (model dependent). Although completely redesigned and technically revamped, the striking shape of the tail lights with LED dots towards the sides creates a stylistic bridge to the T5.

Larger load compartment dimensions: The interior of the seventh-generation Transporter has a considerably larger volume than previous iterations. The maximum width between the wheel housings has been increased by 148 mm to 1,392 mm.

The load compartment length on the floor of the short wheelbase Transporter is 2,602 mm – this corresponds to an additional 61 mm; with the long wheelbase, the load compartment length grows to 3,002 mm. Thanks to the increased length, width and wheelbase, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has been able to significantly enlarge the load capacity of the new Transporter. The Transporter with long wheelbase can now hold up to three Euro pallets (two loaded from the side, one from the rear).

Improved payload and towing capacity: In all versions of the new-generation Transporter, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has made sure that the vehicles are allowed to carry the weight of what they can carry in volume: the maximum payload is now 1.33 tonnes.

And even that is not enough, the new-generation Transporter can pull trailers weighing up to 2.8 tonnes, depending on the variant, so loads get transported to wherever they are needed. The predecessor model pulled weights of up to 2.5 tonnes. The roof load has also been improved, increasing from 150 kg to 170 kg.

The new Transporter is available in Crew Bus, Kombi and Dropside Double Cab. The Crew Bus and Kombi models will be introduced in September 2025, with the Dropside Double Cab planned for local introduction in 2026.

Three new TDI engines. Three newly developed 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI engines form the basis of the drive system range for the new generation Transporter: They develop 81 kW, 110 kW and 125 kW respectively. The 125 kW TDI is always combined with an eight-speed automatic gearbox with a choice of front wheel drive or 4MOTION® all-wheel drive (model dependent).

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