VW Commercial Vehicles announces the premiere of the VW T7 2021 with a teaser photo. The VW bus is based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB), has numerous assistance systems, and is available as a hybrid from the start. We know that at the price of the Multivan.
The eagerly anticipated VW T7 will celebrate in spring 2021 its premiere. VW Commercial Vehicles boss Carsten Intra announced this at the annual press conference in March 2021 with a teaser photo. “This is a paradigm shift in our Bulli world. We have unconditionally developed a popular basic concept: the comfort and dimensions of a car plus the space and variability of a van.” But that’s not the only reason why the VW bus is a completely new strategy.
To put it casually, it could mean: The Bulli is dead, the Bullis is alive. Because it will be three of them with which VW Commercial Vehicles is positioning itself more broadly than ever before: the T7, the all-electric ID. Buzz and the 2019 revised T6.1. With this, the Lower Saxony wants to resolve an old conflict of objectives for this series. The Bulli, which is essentially a transporter, always had to be robust, inexpensive and at the same time very comfortable and, on top of that, offer car-like qualities.
As a solution to this problem, the aforementioned T6.1 should continue to be built as long as there is demand for the van and the legal requirements allow it (possible end of production: 2025). The VW T7, which is tailored to passenger transport 2021, on the other hand, will take to the field as a new Multivan against the Mercedes V-Class. The ID.
For the VW T7 2021, the developers are making use of the cost advantages of the modular transverse matrix (MQB), on which more than 90 percent of all VW models are based. This opens up new technical possibilities: This applies, for example, to the chassis, which in the future will be constructed with front wheels guided on McPherson struts and wishbones and a multi-link rear axle similar to that of Passat & Co. The latter has advantages in terms of a comfort compared to the current trailing arm construction.
The modular infotainment kit is being brought up to date in the T7, with various assistance systems being taken over from the passenger car division. Not much should change in the external dimensions, but the new bus is a hand’s breadth flatter. While the front roof pillars are a little more slanted than before, the rearmost (D-pillars) become significantly wider. Different wheelbases are again planned so that the new Multivan can pick up fans of the Sharan, whose days are numbered, and the long versions can also be used as a spacious hotel shuttle. In this context, one can speculate whether a specially designed derivative of the VW T7 2021, which is typical of the brand, could also be of interest to the corporate colleagues at Seat, who need a replacement for their Alhambra in the future.
VW T7 2021 Engine & Price
The VW T7 (2021) will offer an abundance of contemporary drive sources that bring their power to the road via front-wheel or all-wheel drive. This includes the clean, exhaust-gas-cleaned 2.0-liter turbo-diesel, the performance of which is based on the current variants (90, 110, 150, and 199 hp). Mild and plug-in hybrids are also being added for the first time. With the latter, the VW T7 2021 will be able to drive partially electrically.
However, a fully electric variant is not planned for the time being – this drive source is the privilege of the ID. Buzz, whose unique design plays with stylistic elements from the very first bus. Information on a possible price of the VW T7 2021 is not yet available. However, the current T6.1 Multivan can serve as a guide, starting at 37,032 euros (as of March 2021).
