VW T7 Multivan 1.4 eHybrid
Majority decision
VW Multivan 1.4 l eHybrid
© press-inform – the press office
As a plug-in hybrid, the new Multivan impresses with its comfort, good space economy and modern technology. However, the 2.1 tonne electrified Bulli could use a few more horsepower.
There it stands sleek, the new Multivan. Narrow headlights and a body sharpened in the wind tunnel, which, with a drag coefficient of 0.3, results in lower air resistance than before, which reduces fuel consumption. This is important nowadays when the price of fuel is exploding and 100 milliliters less consumption has a positive effect on the household budget. Especially since VW is mainly targeting private individuals with the seventh generation of the Multivan. According to VW forecasts, it is not the diesel that will be launched on the market next spring that is the object of desire, but the plug-in hybrid that more than 40 percent of T7 drivers want to put in the garage.
The drive train is known from the Arteon PHEV and combines a 110 kW / 150 PS gasoline engine with an 86 kW / 115 PS electric motor, resulting in a system output of 160 kW / 218 PS and a maximum torque of 350 Newton meters, which is available from 1,000 RPM results. In view of the weight of a good 2.1 tons, that’s no horsepower too little. The electric assistance has a positive effect when accelerating. The sprint time of 11.6 seconds from zero to 100 km / h is also worthy of all honor. The top speed of 190 km / more is more than sufficient for brisk co-driving on motorways and country roads. As soon as you want to be a little faster on the road, the combustion engine reports quite clearly. The noticeable and audible effort does not change the fact that the new Multivan is as relaxed to drive as a car.
Johannes Raspe, the technical project manager of the Multivan, refuses to accept that the new Bulli is a Golf 8 with a different hat. “We only took over the electronics architecture and the drive train, the Multivan is on its own platform.” That is why the chassis has been specially developed for the T7 and so the technicians were able to save around 80 kilograms in weight with lightweight components and thus contribute a considerable part to the around 200 kilograms that the new Multivan is lighter than its predecessor. The chassis is well tuned and copes well with the 2.1 tonnes live weight of the Multivan 1.4 l eHybrid. Even in the sporty setting, the Multivan does not spring too hard. However, sport always means maximum recuperation and as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator, the minibus decelerates, which makes progress inharmonious for the passengers. It is better to travel with Comfort or Eco. As usual with the MQB electronics architecture, the vehicle can be configured as desired on the 10-inch touchscreen. The handsome cockpit is reminiscent of the Golf and does without a classic center tunnel, as the wireless (shift by wire) automatic knob of the dual clutch transmission and the lever for the electronic parking brake have moved upwards. The round instruments are displayed virtually on a 10.25 inch monitor. The head-up display lets your gaze rest on the road and more than 20 assistance systems help the helmsman to navigate his van safely: including such exclusive helpers as the turning assistant and the exit assistant.
According to the data sheet, the Multivan 1.4 l eHybrid is content with 1.5 liters per 100 kilometers. During our test drive, which was started with fully charged batteries, the system reported 5.6 l / 100 km. The energy of the 13-kilowatt-hour battery (10.4 kWh net) is purely electrically sufficient for around 50 kilometers, we covered 39 km, including driving on country roads and motorways. In any case, the top speed of 130 km / h and the start is quite sufficient. However, the energy storage on a wallbox with 360 volts and 3.6 kW is only refilled after 3 hours and 40 minutes. Charging takes five hours at a household socket with 230 volts and 2.3 kW alternating current. No problem for private households that can plug in the PHEV Multivan for a longer period of time, but more so for shuttle services.
The VW bus is about space and transportation. The seventh generation of the Bulli has increased in length by almost seven centimeters (69 millimeters) to 4,973 meters and in width to 1,941 meters (plus 3.7 centimeters). Since the T7 is 4.7 centimeters lower at 1.907 meters, it is now sturdier. The decisive factor in this list is the wheelbase: it has increased significantly and is now 3.124 meters: That is 12.4 centimeters more than before, which arrives in the cabin and provides more space. As an alternative, the long version is available, which is 5.173 meters long and 13.1 centimeters more compact than before, and with the same wheelbase. The trunk grows from 469 liters to up to 4,053 liters.
The guests should feel like they are in a lounge. The VW interior architects have banned the bench from the Bulli and replaced it with individual seats. It goes without saying that the chairs in the second row can be rotated 180 degrees as before. The chairs are up to 29 kilograms lighter than before and can simply be pushed back and forth on a rail system in the passenger cell. The reduced weight also makes it easier to remove. Interesting configurations are conceivable – for example, that you only expand one row in order to transport bulky objects. In winter, the fact that power lines run through the rails and thus enable seat heating for the outer seats helps. The middle chair in the third row remains cold, but can be pushed all the way forward if necessary and serves as an additional center console in the first row of seats. The optional panoramic glass roof ensures pleasant, because natural, lighting conditions. The entrance to the Schöner-Wohnen oasis is through two sliding doors and when you have your hands full, the tailgate can be opened with a courageous kick. However, the electrified Bulli also has its price from mid-November with at least 57,173.55 euros.