It was a regular Thursday at the Ring.
We are only weeks away from the full model’s debut, judging by the minimum amount of camouflage the Volkswagen Multivan prototype sports. The people carrier is seen again at the Nürnbergring just a year after its spy debut at the famed track . The engineers and pilots are likely finishing up the passenger van.
The most important thing to know if this is your first encounter with the next-generation Multivan is that it will transition to Volkswagen’s MQB platform. The Multivan Bulli name will be used on the bus, which is expected to make its debut in mid-June.
Volkswagen has confirmed that the Multivan will be available in a hybrid version. Although not yet detailed, the electrified powertrain will be shared with VAG’s latest plug-in hybrids. This means that there will be a gasoline engine and an electric motor to produce a total output of 242 horsepower (180 Kilowatts) as well as 295 pound-feet (405 Newton-meters). These numbers are comparable to the VW Golf GTE, as well as its sibling models from Audi, Skoda and SEAT.
The new Multivan will be able to carry up to seven people. A teaser video showed off its flexible interior. The T7 will have more headroom than its predecessor, thanks to its longer wheelbase and optional panoramic sunroof. The clever packaging of MQB won’t cause a reduction in cabin space for the hybrid model.
In just a few weeks, all the pieces should be in place and we will be able to see the next-generation Multivan fully realized. The new people carrier will be available alongside T6.1-based Transporter, which will not switch to MQB underpinnings anytime soon.