Volkswagen Multivan Panamericana trademarked in Oz

The seventh-generation (T7) 2022 Volkswagen Multivan range may be in store for a fresh injection of versatility if/when it reaches Australian shores, with Volkswagen AG having just trademarked the ‘Panamericana’ nameplate with IP Australia.

That name won’t ring many bells for the average Aussie, but diehard VW fans will recognise the title from the brand’s exploits overseas; specifically in Europe, where the nameplate is fixed to the back and sides of a high-riding, all-wheel drive version of the current T6 Volkswagen Multivan.

Filed with IP Australia under classes 12, 28 and 37 (vehicles, merchandise and vehicle maintenance) on December 22, the application’s examination report isn’t due to be published until early July, effectively ruling out the possibility of the T6 version being introduced here given the 2022 plating of the T7 generation.

While the new-generation people-mover is yet to be confirmed for an Aussie launch, the new patent filing bodes well for its chances Down Under, as does the fact the Volkswagen Multivan accounted for 9.1 per cent of all sub-$60,000 people-mover sales in 2021.

Somewhat complicating matters, however, is the fact the Panamericana hasn’t actually been revealed in T7 guise yet, meaning it won’t be until 2023 at the earliest before we have any chance of seeing it locally.

The facelifted ‘T6.1’ Volkswagen Transporter range arrived Down Under in February 2021 and the all-new T7 Transporter/Multivan line-up – based on the VW Group’s ubiquitous MQB platform – is due for European release later this year.

With just 152mm of ground clearance on offer, the new-gen Volkswagen Multivan is considerably lower than the existing T6 line-up, which ranges between 213-222mm and offers the choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. 4Motion AWD isn’t available (in Europe) on the T7… yet.

Whether or not the all-paw versions gain a bit of extra height remains to be seen, but the Panamericana in particular should deliver a loftier driving experience given the T6 iteration rode 20mm higher than the standard 4MOTION models.

The extra ground clearance wasn’t backed up by more aggressive tyres, but the package was gifted some extra body cladding to help it stand out as the more rugged and capable member of the range.

Under the skin (literally) were a series of skid plates and sill guards to help protect the vulnerable undercarriage and body when ground clearance ran out, while rubber floor mats added a rugged yet practical touch to the leather and Alcantara interior.

Just in case other road users missed those cues, there was also a ‘PanAmerica’ map decal on each flank.

If it’s eventually sold here, the new Multivan Panamericana would join a range of redesigned T7 Transporter-based passenger models, including replacements for popular ‘lifestyle’ versions of the current T6 like the limited-edition Multivan Cruise and California Beach camper released in November 2020.

carsales has contacted Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) for comment.