We don’t normally do vans – they’re the preserve of our entirely fictional sister website, VanThrottle.com. However, there are a few exceptions to the rule. The VW Transporter and Ford Transit, for instance – both have been around for decades, and have become part of the lifeblood of Europe.
For the most dedicated vannists, though, nothing’s ever really been able to best the Transit, which is perhaps why for its all-new T7 Transporter, VW has taken an ‘if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em’ approach.
VW T7 Transporter – interior
Yep, the T7 is the latest product of the ongoing partnership between the Blue Oval and, erm… the Slightly Darker Blue Circle? While VW has lent its MEB EV platform to Ford for the Explorer and Capri, the tie-in started with Ford sharing its commercial vehicle expertise with the German company.
This brings us to the latest version of a van that can trace its lineage back to the iconic split-windscreen T1 of the 1950s. Aside from the badge and styling, it’s identical to the current Ford Transit, which means it shares its range of powertrains too.
VW T7 Caravelle – rear
They consist of a 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder sending either 109, 148 or 168bhp to the front wheels, with optional four-wheel drive on the two higher-powered ones. There’s also a plug-in hybrid using a 2.5-litre petrol four-pot and an electric motor providing a peak of 229bhp to the front wheels, which sounds like a recipe for torque steer.
There’s also a full EV version on the way, powered by a 64kWh battery and offering either 134, 215 or 282bhp. The EV sends power to the rear, which means yes, VW is about to start selling a 282bhp, rear-wheel drive vehicle. It’s just an electric van.
Configurations include a regular panel van, one with a second row of seats, a passenger-carrying Kombi and a chassis cab. Then there’s the Caravelle, a slightly posher passenger version that you’re likely to see getting used as a VIP shuttle. The panel van and Caravelle can also be specced in PanAmericana trim – that’s the one with the chunky, off-roadish plastic bumpers.
What you won’t see is one of the wildly popular California camper versions. That’s not because VW has completely taken leave of its senses and decided to stop selling this huge money spinner – it’s just moved over to the Multivan platform which, despite its name, is not a van.
