Gliding through the city with zero on-road emissions and at the same time easily mastering the longest of journeys thanks to great total range – an MPV capable of doing precisely this is what Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has now developed: the Multivan eHybrid. Its plug-in hybrid drive system fulfils the requirements of a new era and is perfect for the new Multivan, as the combination of electric motor and petrol engine ideally fuses sustainability with the typical all-round qualities of anMPV.
It is a new Multivan experience: push the START button, shift the dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) by wire to ‘D’, press down on the accelerator and the front-wheel-powered MPV pulls silently away. Silent running with logic behind it: whenever possible, the Multivan eHybrid starts in ‘e-mode’, i.e. powered 100% electrically and thus emission-free. The electric range will be dimensioned in such a way that the typical daily distances can be covered without emissions. At higher speeds and/or low battery charge levels, a turbocharged petrol engine (TSI) additionally cuts in. For the Multivan, which can seat up to seven people, the plug-in hybrid is an ideal drive system, as it combines zero emissions in urban settings with the ability to do long journeys, such as going on holiday, with a minimal number of stops.
The lithium-ion battery is housed in the new Multivan eHybrid’s underbody. That saves on space and simultaneously lowers the MPV’s centre of gravity. And that has a positive effect on handling. The Multivan’s battery is charged externally via an interface in the front wing on the right-hand side. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be offering its own charging card for charging the electrified MPV at public charging points, plus wall boxes for quick charging at home. The Multivan eHyrbid is thus transferring the lifestyle feel of its predecessors to the modern era. It remains the all-rounder for people on the move, families, sporty types and frequent travellers. It does that, however, more efficiently and more sustainably than any Multivan generation before. The new Multivan will launch with different drive system versions in the second half of this year.