If the Ford fits Transporter it

0 0 September 30, 2025 Edit this post

Old Kombis cost a packet these days and its replacement the VW Transporter isn't cheap either.

What's more, it's not really a Volkswagen anymore but, like the Amarok, is a Ford under the skin - A Ford Transit to be precise.

We seem to have leapfrogged the T7 released in 2021, because the current model on sale here in July, 2023 is described as the T6.1.

The new one is not a 'T' anything, just a plain Transporter and it's priced from $58,590 -- that's for SWB TDI 125kW FWD.

From there it rises to $64,590 for the LWB TDI 125kW 4MOTION and ultimately to $85,590 for the LWB BEV 210kW RWD -- the fully electric version.

To give this some perspective many contractors are opting for the diesel LDV G10+ for $38,937 -- less for fleet operators.

The Transporter has a significant following in Australia and as such the first all-new Transporter in a decade is pretty big news.

It launches with 125kW/390Nm TDI diesel and a halo battery electric vehicle (BEV) that redefines commercial 'electrobility', with a significant 210kW of power and 415Nm of torque.

A broad range of short-wheelbase (SWB) and long-wheelbase (LWB) models cater to every need, with a recommended retail price for the TDI diesel ranging from $58,590 and $60,590 (SWB and LWB) with two-wheel drive, to $62,590 and $64,590 (SWB and LWB) with 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

The first fully electric Transporter arrives from between $83,590 (SWB) and $85,590 (LWB).

Standard kit includes LED headlights with Light Assist automatic high-beam, LED tail-lights, keyless start, single-zone climate control, heated three front seats, 12-inch Digital Cockpit, 13-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation, wireless App-Connect, wireless phone charging, DAB+ digital radio, seven USB ports and GoConnect connected cars app.

Safety extends to Front Assist (autonomous emergency braking) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Turn Assist with evasive support, Adaptive Cruise Control with Intelligent Speed Assistant and Traffic Sign Recognition with ‘Wrong Way’ warning, Lane Assist, Blind Spot Warning with Trailer Assist, Reverse Emergency Braking Assistant, Front and Rear Parking Aid with Manoeuvre Braking and a Rear View Camera.

Optional extras include IQ. LIGHT Matrix LED headlights with advanced high-beam control Dynamic Light Assist ($2,590), 17-inch alloy wheels and tyres ($1,990), digital rear-view mirror with dashcam feature ($1990), body colour bumpers and mirrors ($1190) and a 360-degree Area View camera ($690).

Flexibility is key for Transporter types, so rather than stepping through preset, pre-defined models, Volkswagen customers can mix and match their own equipment to enhance and personalise their van.

This includes: a no-cost front double bench or no-cost deletion of the load partition; adding a second sliding door on driver side ($1190) or adding the second door while then powering both sides ($3570); a side window or two ($490 per side); steel underbody cladding for the engine and transmission ($690); a second battery ($780); wooden floor coverings with airline rails and preparation for shelves/cabinets ($1100-$1590); and rear wing doors ($690).

Diesel models use an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the BEV features a single-speed transmission, 64kWh battery, 11kW AC charging and 125kW DC charging for a 10 to 80 per cent charging time of 38 minutes.

Electric range for Australia is to be confirmed next month.

The eHybrid plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) with up to 60km electric driving range, Transporter Crewvan 5 seat SWB and LWB, and a Transporter dual cab LWB 6 seater arrive in the first half of 2026.

All-new Volkswagen Transporter is expected in dealerships by the end of October.