Volkswagen will start accepting customer orders for its new Multivan leisure vehicle from the beginning of next year. A direct replacement for the Caravelle, prices for the Multivan begin at a snip over £43,000 and climb to £60,865.
Capable of carrying up to seven people and their belongings because of a “more flexible interior”, the German manufacturer says the Multivan is “the perfect combination of practicality, comfort, and safety”.
Available in two wheelbase sizes – standard measuring 3.12 metre and long totalling 5.17 metres – and two trim levels – ‘Life’ and ‘Style’ – the Multivan also comes as a plug-in hybrid for the very first time and has a towing capacity up to two-tonne.
Both versions, including the limited-run ‘Energetic’, have LED headlights with Matrix LEDs, a panoramic glass roof, an electrically-operated rear boot and power sliding doors that can be operated via gesture control all debuting.
Standard equipment on ‘Life’ comprises 16-inch rims, a digital instrument binnacle, a 10-inch infotainment system and safety aids such as front assist and lane assist.
‘Style’ introduces matrix headlights and larger 17-inch wheels, Volkswagen’s ‘Discover Media’ navigation system and park assist, electric sliding doors and a power-operated tailgate. Special edition ‘Energetic’ benefits from 18-inch alloys, tinted windows, a glass sunroof and a stereo supplied by Harmon Kardon.
In all version, the rear five seats can be repositioned or removed entirely, while the second row can be turned around by up to 180-degrees to create a conference style seating configuration.
The full-width bench seat for the third row has been replaced by individual seats this time around to allow single seats to be removed for added flexibility. The table is also removable and comes with adjustable height, three cup holders and a storage bin.
As for space, the Multivan has a 469-litre cargo area behind the rearmost seats. This rises to 1,844-litres – or 1,850-litres with the panoramic roof – when these are taken away. The full cargo capacity up to the front seats is 3,672-litres, says Volkswagen – or 4,053-litres in long wheelbase guise with the glass roof.
Power is provided by two, four-cylinder turbo petrol engines – a 1.5-litre TSI developing 134bhp and a 2-litre that has 202bhp – with both paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
A PHEV badged ‘eHybrid’ joins the range and marries a 1.4-litre turbo petrol to a 114bhp e-motor for a combined power output of 216bhp. This is sent to the front wheels via a “bespoke” six-speed DSG gearbox, although Volkswagen hasn’t yet revealed how far the vehicle can drive in EV mode.
Charging the 13kW lithium-ion battery, which is built into the floor so as not to compromise interior space, is charged via a port positioned on the front wing on the driver’s side.
First deliveries of the new Multivan are scheduled to reach customers no later than next March.
