2022 VW Multivans T7 Gets More Versatility and Hybrid Power

It is finally here!

The next-generation Volkswagen T7 has been in development for many years. It’s finally official. VW’s beloved all-purpose van is now officially available to everyone, from contractors to adventure campers. It’s also available in Multivan form. While the Transporter still awaits, for now, we’ll be welcoming the 2022 VW Multivan T7.

The next-generation powertrain is the most important news about the van. The Multivan will be the first vehicle to get a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The eHybrid is a 1.4-liter TSI motor paired with an 85kW electric engine to produce 215 horsepower (160 kilowatts). The van’s battery, a 13-kilowatt-hour-capable lithium-ion battery, is located low under its floor. The charging port is on the right. VW does not yet have statistics on electric-only range or speed. However, they do tell us that the Multivan can make short urban trips. The eHybrid’s power is provided by a 6-speed DSG transmission.

If electricity is not your thing, VW still offers pure internal combustion power. Buyers can choose from a turbocharged 1.5-liter TSI motor that produces 134 hp (102.5 kW) or a more powerful turbocharged 2.0 liter TSI engine that produces 201 hp (155.0 kW). The engines run on gasoline. However, a turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine with 148 horsepower (110 kW), will be available next year. A seven-speed DSG transmission is the only available regardless of the engine.

The Multivan’s purpose is to be multi-purpose. And the T7 delivers. The overall dimensions are slightly larger than the predecessor. An extended version offers 143 cubic feet (4.053 liters), of luggage space. The new modular seating system features individual rear seats that can be adjusted and removed. These seats are part of a new interior VW calls “lounge-like”. Second-row seats can rotate 180 degrees to create a conference arrangement. The multi-function table can also be slid fore and aft, depending on its purpose.

Passenger will love a panoramic glass roof over their heads, and the driver and front-seat passengers will enjoy a standard digital makeover. The digital instrument display measures 10.25 inches and is complemented by a 10-inch touchscreen in the center. As an added bonus, the driver gets a heads up display. This is a first for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Although the cabin layout is minimalistic, there are many technological options underneath. The standard VW infotainment suite Ready to Discover includes We Connect, which offers breakdown assistance and vehicle status. We Connect Plus is free for three years. It injects all sorts of connected services, including navigation, real-time traffic reports and more. The Multivan’s high-end Harmon Kdon sound system packs 14 speakers with 840 watts and you’ll find multiple charging ports throughout the interior.

VW wants to add safety tech and driver-assist technology to the Multivan. According to VW, there are 34 different systems that can address safety, comfort and assistance. Standard equipment includes automatic emergency braking and lanes-keep assist. Car2X, a point to-point communication system that allows the Multivan to “talk” with other vehicles and tech-infused infrastructure. It informs the driver about potential hazards in the vicinity. The Multivan also offers semi-autonomous driving with VW’s Intelligent.Drive system. This includes predictive cruise control, lane assist, and cruise control.

The Multivan is not available in North America. The pricing and availability of the Multivan in other regions will be made public at a later date.