New Volkswagen Multivan – This isn’t a T7 at all – First drive

New Volkswagen Multivan – Controversial Design

When we published a post with photos and brief information about driving the new Volkswagen Multivan on social media, the network escalated. There were a lot of comments about his appearance – many negative: “It looks like after the Japanese tuning”, “It would be better to call it Charan”, “Little Korean, little Indian” and more positive: “Finally something new “,” And I like it “, ” It looks great “. Journalists who saw the new multivan also had conflicting opinions about its design.

One thing is for sure, the change is comprehensive and given the fact that the last generation Multivan (T6.1) was actually technically based on the T5 – designed 20 years ago – it was necessary. And because the market and customer needs are changing, Volkswagen decided to revolutionize and the new incarnation of the Multivan is technically cut from the Transporter delivery truck. The new Multivan is built on the MQB platform used, among other things, by the V Golf is a passenger vehicle intended for families (7 seats), people who love to travel, small business owners who need a mobile office and companies that offer transportation to business clients.

The new Volkswagen Multivan – bigger and lighter

Compared to its predecessor, the new Multivan is longer (by 69 mm), wider (by 37 mm) and lower (by 43 mm). Its wheelbase has also increased by 124 mm (3,124 mm). The Multivan can still be ordered in two body lengths: the standard L1 of 4,975 mm and the extended length L2 of 5,175 mm, both of which now have the same wheelbase as its predecessor. Built on a new platform, the Volkswagen Multivan is up to 200 kg lighter than its predecessor. Another feature of the new Multivan is a more streamlined body, which allows to reduce air resistance (the Cw coefficient decreased from 0.35 to 0.3), and thus reduce carbon dioxide emissions (on average by 7.8 g / km). We were concerned that the platform used in passenger cars would provide the new model with lower torsional rigidity to the body compared to the Multivan T6.1, which is based on a delivery truck. We washed ourselves, and not only did it not deteriorate, it’s over 50 percent better.

New Volkswagen Multivan – Better Interior

The passenger compartment of the new multivan has been redesigned. The three-seater sofa, known from its predecessor, disappeared in the third row, making room for three single armchairs. Now, to transport the bike, it is enough to remove the seats on one side of the car. It is up to the user to decide how the five second and third row seats will be arranged. The new rail system not only allows for better interior configuration, but also allows for easier seat assembly.

The seats are forward and backward, can be installed anywhere, are up to 10 kg lighter than the previous seats and have a heating function (outdoor seats). Customers who plan to use the new Multivan as a mobile office will be pleased with the new multifunctional table, which is no longer circular as before, but with more regular shapes, without having to open both parts at the same time. Moreover, thanks to the innovative locking system, the foldable table can be used as a center console between the front seats. We have good news for those looking to sleep in a Volkswagen Multivan. The new model (Goodnight package) will also have such functionality, but you will have to wait for it, since the folding bed is still at the design stage.

The new Volkswagen Multivan – the interior is still spacious

The short version of the Multivan can accommodate 469 liters of luggage when loaded on the roof behind the third row of seats. With the second-row seats removed, it has a volume of 1,844 liters (1850 liters in the version with a panoramic glass roof). With the removal of the second and third row seats, the load capacity increases to 3,672 liters (in the long version: 763, 2171, 4,005 liters and 4,053 liters with a glass roof, respectively). So we can still treat the Volkswagen Multivan as a luggage compartment and use it to transport or transport bulky items. Only for people who plan to tow heavy trailers, we have less news – compared to its predecessor, its capacity has been reduced by 500 kg and in the case of trailers equipped with brakes, the maximum trailer weight is 2000 kg.

The new Volkswagen Multivan – more digital, but better?

There are also some changes to the front row of seats. Each Multivan is equipped with a standard 10.25-inch digital clock (in more expensive versions or as an option – with a navigation display) and a 10-inch touch-screen multimedia system (in richer versions with navigation and gesture control). Attention is drawn to a small switch that replaces the classic gear lever. It is easy to use and does not take up any space in the cabin.

In the digital interior, the number of buttons has been reduced to a minimum, which is in line with current trends, but not necessarily ergonomic. We don’t like the temperature control via the touch bar at the bottom of the screen or the need to summon the proper screen to operate the heated seats (solutions carried over from the new Golf). The same applies to the hard plastic used to finish the dashboard. Since Volkswagen announced that the new multivan is at odds with the delivery source, we’re expecting better known materials from passenger cars.

New Volkswagen Multivan – Richer Equipment

The advantage of the new model is a higher level of equipment, including a larger number of assistance systems (up to 20 are available). As standard, every Multivan is equipped with 7 airbags (including center airbag), 7 individual seats, 3-zone Climatronic air conditioning, DSG automatic transmission, 16 to 17-inch alloy wheels, and rear sliding doors On both sides of the body, front pedestrian and cyclist detection assist, collision avoidance assist, new cornering assist, dynamic lighting of road signs, lane keep assist and cruise control. New assistance systems include: a 360-degree top-view camera, automatic stabilization, travel assist, dynamic cornering light and pre-collision crash. In addition to the base variant called Multivan, there are also special Life, Style and Energetic models along with a 218 hp integrated hybrid drive system.

The new Volkswagen Multivan – the first hybrid, not the last

The hybrid used in the Multivan for the first time consisted of a 150-hp 1.4 TSI turbocharged petrol engine, a 116-hp synchronous electric motor, and a 10.4 kWh lithium-ion battery. After charging the battery from an external source (it can also be turned on while driving), the hybrid Multivan can travel 46-50 km (according to WLTP) and can move at speeds of up to 130 km / h.

The Volkswagen Multivan eHybrid is equipped with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission with the necessary recovery modes. Using electricity first and then fuel, it consumes 1.8 to 2.0 l / 100 km of gasoline and 17.1 to 17.5 kW / 100 km of electricity. During the premiere engines, after discharging the battery (driving in hybrid mode), it consumed an average of 6.1 l / 100 km, which is considered a good result, given the weight of about 2.2 tons.

The hybrid Multivan engine, like the other variants (petrol: 1.5 TSI / 136 HP, 2.0 TSI / 204 HP and 2.0 TDI / 150 HP diesel engines), transmits torque only to the front wheels. We have to wait up to 3 years for the 4×4 version. The manufacturer announces that it will no longer be a classic 4Motion mechanical system, but a hybrid system with two electric motors and a more powerful battery.

The new Volkswagen Multivan – in our opinion

During our Multivan premiere ride, we covered the most kilometers with the hybrid variant. After the most powerful engine in the range (218 hp), we expected slightly better performance, while the heavier-gasoline classic 2.0 TSI / 204 HP turned out to be slower. Yes, for the first 30 km on the stream we rode in pleasant silence. But later, when the low-capacity gasoline engine (1.4 / 150 hp) was launched, it made noise during overtaking.

The advantage of the hybrid version, of course, is low fuel consumption (6.1 l / 100 km on average during the first drive), while the downside is an expensive purchase. The new Volkswagen Multivan engine is much better than the T6.1 version. The body leans less in bends, the steering is more precise and provides more feedback. The interior is quieter, and the new chassis also filters bumps on the road better and provides less cabin vibration. The comfort and pleasure of travel is higher, which passengers will also appreciate. There are only two things that are bothersome: handling multimedia and traction problems on a slippery surface.

The new Volkswagen Multivan – technical data

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