2024 Volkswagen T7 Multivan & California: Initial Australian details confirmed

The 2024 Volkswagen T7 Multivan is due in Australia in the fourth quarter of next year, the brand has confirmed.

Volkswagen Australia has announced initial details for the latest T7 Multivan, confirming it will maintain a flexible seven-seat configuration, two-tone colour options, and diesel powertrains.

The T7 Multivan is the first completely new model in two decades – and is underpinned by a platform borrowed from Volkswagen’s latest passenger vehicles, rather than a commercial van.

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Like the monocoque Kia Carnival and Hyundai Staria, the T7 Multivan is based on a passenger car platform. In the T7's case, it's the same MQB Evo kit that underpins the Golf hatch, Tiguan mid-size SUV and Caddy small van.

The separately developed next-generation Transporter delivery van and Caravelle people mover models (heavily related to the latest Ford Transit Custom van) are expected to debut in 2024.

The T7 Multivan will be offered in two variants in Australia at launch: Life (replacing Comfortline Premium) and Style (replacing Highline).

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Both variants will be powered by a 110kW/360Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.

Volkswagen Australia said an additional engine variant is due in 2025 – likely an all-wheel drive diesel. That said, a plug-in hybrid offered overseas could be on the cards.

“The plug-in hybrid would be an awesome thing to have, obviously, in this market, and we just have to see how we go with the business case on that,” said local Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles director Ryan Davies in November 2022.

The T7 Multivan plug-in hybrid is powered by the same powertrain as the now not-for-Australia Golf GTE and Tiguan E-Hybrid, pairing a 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with an 85kW electric motor to develop a combined 160kW.

Available equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10-inch infotainment system, a wireless phone charger, 18-way adjustable heated comfort seats, individually heated rear seats, and a panoramic glass roof.

The Style will add ambient interior lighting, matrix LED headlights, an illuminated grille, ‘easy open’ electric doors and tailgate, automatic parking, and a 360-degree camera system.

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Above: Volkswagen T7 California near-production concept

A five-star ANCAP safety rating is expected to mirror New Zealand variants, while it features the latest active safety technology suite and a new front-centre airbag.

Rear seat flexibility has improved with a new rail system, individually heated seats, and a customisable 2/2/3 seat configuration. The seats are now 25 per cent lighter, and there's a multi-function table.

A new-gen Volkswagen T7 California will follow later, offering a four-seat configuration with a kitchen and dual sliding doors for the first time. The five-seat variant will remain available.

It will include a fridge, induction cooktop, additional storage, a double bed, and a second pop-up double bed.

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Above: Volkswagen T7 California near-production concept

“We’re expecting big things for [the California], when they’ve got both options of five seater without the kitchen, and then the four seater with the kitchen,” said Ryan Davies this week.

“This year was the really the year of the Amarok for us and we’re pleased with how that’s all transpired, but next year, what you can see is it’s going to be the year of the van.”

The 2024 Volkswagen T7 Multivan will be joined by the all-electric ID.Buzz people mover, ID.Buzz Cargo van – both due in Australia in the fourth quarter of next year – and the updated Crafter large van, while Ford-based Caravelle and Transporter models will arrive in Q1 2025.