New T7 Volkswagen Multivan gains Golf dash

Just days after releasing a design sketch of the next-gen Volkswagen T7 Multivan's huge panoramic roof and flexible cabin, the German car-maker has posted new teasers of its van-based people-mover.

This time there's an almost completely undisguised sketch of its face, detailing its full-width LED daytime running lamp, slimmer headlights and squared-off jaw.

There's still no word on what lies beneath the bonnet of the 2021 Volkswagen Multivan, but it's thought the T7 will be launched with a plug-in hybrid powertrain lifted from the latest Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTE.

Inside, there's yet more Golf, with the T7 Multivan (and Transporter) getting the eighth-generation Golf's digital instrument cluster and larger 10.0-inch infotainment screen.

Interestingly, the manual transmission is no more. Helping liberate space and presumably provide for a third front seat in some versions, there's a dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission that is now shift-by-wire.

Providing class-leading space, the old van's handbrake has also been rendered obsolete, replaced by an electronic park brake.

Making life easier when parking or navigating an urban environment is a new 360-degree camera system. The T7 Transporter and Multivan are also expected to be recipients of some of Volkswagen's latest semi-autonomous parking aids.

Explaining its new-found tech lifted from the Golf is the seventh-generation van is set to migrate to the Volkswagen Group's latest MQB architecture.

This will enable the car-maker to upgrade the van as quickly as its passenger models, adding evermore sophisticated new tech as it comes online.

As well as all the new tech, Volkswagen is primed to offer an all-wheel drive version, paving the way for a Multivan Alltrack derivative that will feature a raised ride height and butch styling to appeal to lifestyle buyers.

If you're wondering whether Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is about to price itself out of its working class, it's been confirmed that the current Volkswagen Transporter T6.1 will live on and be sold side-by-side with the latest T7.

That, VW hopes, will continue to attract those who need a basic delivery van at the lowest price possible.