Five fresh Volkswagen vans coming in 2024

Volkswagen Australia will be doing some heavy lifting in the fourth quarter of next year, when it plans to launch the new T7 Multivan and California, the all-new VW ID. Buzz people-mover and its ID. Buzz Cargo commercial twin, and the upgraded MY24 Crafter van.

First up will be the new 2024 Volkswagen Multivan, based on the MQB platform and launching with a 110kW/360Nm turbo-diesel, seven-speed DSG auto, front-drive powertrain across two model variants – Multivan Life and Multivan Style, each available in short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase guises.

The Multivan has a versatile seating arrangement with up to seven seats, including individually configurable and removable rear seats.

New features for the T7 Multivan will include IQ Matrix headlights, a digital instrument cluster, shift-by-wire gearshift, Wireless App-Connect and a panoramic glass roof that adds two centimetres to interior height.

With a total of 25 driver-assist features and safety equipment such as full side curtain airbags and a centre airbag, Volkswagen is confident the new people-mover will achieve a five-star ANCAP result.

The 2024 Volkswagen Multivan will be offered in 14 paint colours, three of which are two-tone.

Standard in the Multivan Life is keyless entry and start, ‘Basic’ digital cockpit, power sliding doors and tailgate, park distance control and a rear camera.

Meanwhile, the upper-spec Multivan Style will arrive with ambient lighting, LED Matrix headlights, ‘Pro’ digital cockpit, illuminated grille, 17-inch alloy wheels, climate control air-conditioning, area view rear camera and Park Assist.

No pricing has been announced, but expect the new T7 Multivan to arrive around the $70K mark.

Late 2024 will also see a new T7 California arrive, promising dual sliding doors for the first time, meaning five-seat versions and four-seat models with kitchen can be offered.

Equipment in the new California includes a fridge, induction cooktop and four-berth capacity with a double bed that folds from two seats and a double bed up in the pop-top roof.

The new T7 Transporter and Caravelle are slated for launch in Australia in the first quarter of 2025, following product updates for both models in the second quarter of 2024.

Also arriving before next Christmas is the much-anticipated ID. Buzz battery-electric people-mover, priced from around $100.000.

This retro-style people-mover might hark back to the T2 Transporter but is based on Volkswagen’s MEB EV platform and has an emphasis on optimal packaging with short overhangs and a long wheelbase. Yet the ID. Buzz has a relatively tight 11.0-metre turning circle on wheel sizes of up to 21-inch.

Volkswagen has revealed some further local ID. Buzz details such as 11 different colour schemes, LED Matrix headlights, up to a 12-inch infotainment display, air-vents for second- and third-row passengers and an optional panoramic sunroof.

The ID. Buzz will arrive in Australia in two body types: a 4.7m-long short-wheelbase five-seater and a long-wheelbase seven-seater (in a 2+3+2 configuration) that adds 25cm in body length over the SWB model.

The ID. Buzz has a sustainability focus, with renewable materials used for the seats, floor and roof coverings, plus organic-based paint.

Volkswagen Australia says a performance version of the ID. Buzz – likely the GTX – will be available here, but will provide more information next year.

Volkswagen is confident it will find a ready market for the ID. Buzz, with 1500 registrations of interest already received.

The ID. Buzz Cargo van also arrives in the fourth quarter of 2024, in short-wheelbase three-seat rear-wheel drive form with a fixed partition as standard. Volkswagen will reveal more details of its electric powertrain closer to launch.

The ID. Buzz cargo offers a cargo load height of up to 1.25m, a 1.7m load width and a load platform that is 2.2m long. With total cargo volume of 3.9m3, the ID. Buzz has a payload of 650kg.

As with its other commercials, Volkswagen will offer its electric van with the option of rear barn doors or a tailgate.

Volkswagen says the ID. Buzz Cargo interior is fitted with robust, scratch-resistant materials and, while a three-position front bench seat will be standard, twin buckets seats will also be available.

Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Crafter comes in for a major facelift and although exterior changes are minor, its driver-assistance tech will be ‘next level’, according to Volkswagen Australia commercial vehicles director Ryan Davies.

New safety features include moving off info, active cruise control, either a 10.3-inch or 12.9-inch infotainment system, app connection, digital cockpit, e-shifter and electric park brake.

Davies noted that the addition of the electric park brake may sound minor, but for those with Crafter camper conversions it means the front seats can be swivelled at camp without having to release a manual handbrake.

These five new or updated Volkswagen vans in late 2024 (followed by the new T7 Transporter and Caravelle in early 2025) will follow the release of Volkswagen Australia’s first EVs in mid-2024 – the mid-size ID.4 and ID.5 electric SUVs.

Volkswagen Australia passenger vehicles director Michal Szaniecki said the wait for VW’s first EVs will be worthwhile because – as with Toyota Australia and its first EV, the bZ4X mid-size electric SUV – the ID.4 and ID.5 will arrive Down Under in upgraded form.

“By waiting, we are bringing a better product with a better range,” he said.

All up, Volkswagen Australia says it will release up to 10 new models in 2024, followed by launches of the ID.2 and ID.3 electric hatchbacks, the facelifted VW Golf (including GTI and R version), the third-generation VW Tiguan and the all-new VW Tayron.

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