The teaser campaign for the Volkswagen T7 Multivan continues as the automaker has revealed new details about the upcoming plug-in hybrid variant. Dubbed the Multivan eHybrid, the model features a lithium-ion battery, an electric motor, a turbocharged petrol engine and a dual-clutch transmission.
Volkswagen didn’t go into many specifics,
but said the battery is mounted underneath the floor and this helps to maximize
interior space as well as lower the center of gravity. The eco-friendly van
will also have a charging port on the passenger side front fender and
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will offer wall boxes for quick charging at
home.
While Volkswagen didn’t delve into
numbers, they hinted the Multivan eHybrid will have an electric-only range
which is high enough that “typical daily distances can be covered without
emissions.” The company also said the van will start in e-mode “whenever
possible,” in order to maximize efficiency and reduce emissions. However, at
higher speeds or when the battery is low, the turbocharged engine will kick on.
Volkswagen went on to say the “combination
of electric motor and petrol engine ideally fuses sustainability with the
typical all-round qualities of an MPV.” This sentiment was echoed by Volkswagen
Commercial Vehicles’ head of design, Albert Kirzinger, who said “You can go
about your everyday life in the city fully electrically” while also enjoying
the “benefits of a powerful hybrid drive” on longer journeys.
The T7 Multivan will be unveiled on June
10th and be launched in the second half of this year. It’s expected to ride on
the MQB platform and be offered with an assortment of petrol and diesel engines
as well as the aforementioned plug-in hybrid powertrain.
