The LCV sibling of the Ford Transit Custom will offer the option between diesel, PHEV, and EV powertrains
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VW is almost ready to unveil the new generation of the Transporter which will share its underpinnings with the Ford Transit Custom. Following the official teasers by VW, our spy photographers caught a couple of fully electric camouflaged prototypes of the Transporter in panel van and double-cab pickup forms.
This is the first time we come across a T7 prototype with a dropside bed, adding the extra practicality of an open loading area to the midsize LCV. Unlike the panel van which has sliding doors, the double cab pickup comes with four conventional doors and a shorter body to make room for the rear bed, as is the case for most of this type of vehicle. The same bodystyle option will also be offered in the Ford Transit Custom, although the VW Transporter features a redesigned face, distinguishing itself from its sibling and main rival.
More: VW T7 Transporter Officially Teased With Diesel, PHEV, And All-Electric Powertrains
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Both the panel van and the flatbed truck versions of the new Transporter are already available to pre-order in the official configurator on VW’s German website, starting at €43,768 ($47,882). Furthermore, the lineup includes a more spacious “van plus” trim likely coming with a longer wheelbase, and another van with an “L-partition”.
At launch, the VW Transporter T7 will be offered with diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrain options, but it will eventually become available in fully electric forms, mirroring the specs of the Ford e-Transit Custom. The latter produces 214 hp (160 kW / 217 PS) in its most potent form and offers a range of up to 380 km (240 miles). Both of the pictured prototypes are fitted with electric powertrains, as proven by the special stickers, the charging port located on the left side of the front bumper, and the lack of tailpipes.
VW has yet to announce a debut date for the Transporter T7 but judging from the teasers and the pre-orders, it won’t be long until the full reveal takes place. The all-new Transporter will join the EV-only ID.Buzz and the passenger Multivan on VW’s van lineup, completing a trio of similarly-sized but mechanically unrelated models.
