Johannesburg – Volkswagen has unveiled the latest generation of its Transporter, marking a major milestone for one of its most enduring nameplates. Celebrating 75 years since the first model rolled off the production line in 1950, the new Transporter brings modern styling, advanced features, and a fresh partnership with Ford that redefines the legendary “Kombi” for today’s market.
The story of the Transporter dates back to 1946 when Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon observed a Beetle-based utility vehicle moving parts inside Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg plant. His idea led to the first production Transporter, or Type 2, as the Beetle was known as Type 1. Since then, the model has grown through seven generations, becoming one of the most recognizable commercial and family vehicles across the world.
Southern Africa holds a special connection to the Transporter, with production running at Volkswagen’s Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) plant from 1955 to 2002, spanning three generations.
The latest Transporter was officially shown at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring in August, alongside the 222 kW Amarok, and launched this week with a 1,000-kilometre media drive from the Mpumalanga lowlands to Hoedspruit in Limpopo — a fitting journey for a vehicle long associated with adventure and reliability.
Built at Ford’s Kocaeli plant in Turkey, the new Transporter shares its platform with the Transit and Tourneo Custom. This collaboration means it’s no longer part of Volkswagen’s traditional T-series and is not called the T7, a title now reserved for the upcoming Multivan expected to reach the market next year.
Model line-up
Volkswagen South Africa first announced the Transporter at its annual product Indaba in February, six months after its global unveiling. The range initially includes three body styles:
- Long wheelbase panel van
- Crew Bus (a mix of van and passenger configurations)
- Short wheelbase Kombi for people-carrying purposes, offered in Commerce, Life, Edition, and Style trims
A dropside double cab is planned for 2026, though there are no current plans to release a Caravelle under the Transporter name. The high-end Style trim will serve as the flagship of the range.
The Kombi, which seats eight as standard, is powered by a 2.0-litre single-turbo Panther diesel engine delivering 125 kW and 390 Nm of torque — the same unit found in the Transit Custom Sport and Tourneo Custom Titanium X.
The diesel engine range includes three power outputs:
- 81 kW / 310 Nm
- 110 kW / 360 Nm
- 125 kW / 390 Nm
The base 81 kW engine, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, is exclusive to the panel van. An eight-speed automatic gearbox — developed by Ford and not used in any other model — will be available across most variants.
The Crew Bus is expected to feature both lower-output engines, as well as an optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system when paired with the 110 kW engine and automatic transmission. In the Kombi range, the 125 kW engine and automatic gearbox are standard, with the Style model gaining optional all-wheel drive.
Design and dimensions
Stylistically, the new Transporter carries Volkswagen’s latest design cues, featuring a reworked bumper and grille distinct from the Ford counterpart, standard LED headlights across all trims, inverted L-shaped air inlets, and a wide lower air intake.
At the rear, changes are subtle but include LED taillights with unique internal graphics, a chrome Transporter badge beneath the number plate area, and the choice between a flip-up tailgate or barn-style doors.
Compared to the outgoing T6.1, the new Transporter is larger in every dimension:
- Overall length: 5,050 mm (up by 146 mm)
- Wheelbase: 3,100 mm (up by 97 mm)
- Height: 1,999 mm
For the long wheelbase panel van, the figures stretch further to 5,450 mm in length and a 3,500 mm wheelbase. The payload capacity is rated at 1,326 kg, with a cargo volume of 5.8 m³ and a cargo floor length of 3,002 mm. The braked trailer towing capacity has increased by 300 kg, now rated at 2,800 kg.
The special Edition
The Edition model, first shown at Kyalami, bridges the gap between the Life and Style trims with distinctive visual upgrades. It features I.Q. LED headlights, dual-tone body and logo bar, gloss black 17-inch Le Mans alloy wheels, illuminated Edition-branded treadplates, a black roof, and black detailing on the mirrors, bumpers, and tailgate.
Interior technology and comfort
Inside, the Transporter adopts a clean, functional layout, closely related to the Tourneo Custom but with clear Volkswagen branding. It retains a 13-inch infotainment screen with MIB4 software — the same as the Golf 8.5 — and an eight-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
Unlike the Ford version, the Transporter’s dashboard features a flat design, traditional steering wheel with physical buttons, and repositioned storage areas for improved ergonomics. The wireless charger and USB ports are placed conveniently on the passenger side, while the handbrake and volume controls remain tactile.
The second-row seats can swivel to create a boardroom-style setup, and with both the second and third rows removed, cargo space reaches 5,800 litres. Comfort features include heated front seats, window blinds on sliding doors, and ample storage compartments throughout the cabin.
On the road
During the media drive to Hoedspruit, the Transporter showcased its strong touring ability and stable ride, although some reviewers found the power delivery modest and the gearbox slow to respond, even in Sport mode. Cabin noise was also noticeable at higher speeds.
However, its light steering, comfortable seating, and practical interior layout kept it true to its long-haul reputation. Some of the firmness in the ride was attributed to tyre pressures rather than suspension setup, as the Tourneo Custom Titanium X reportedly handled rough roads more smoothly.
Pricing and warranty
The Transporter range is competitively priced, offering notable value compared to its Ford equivalent, especially with Volkswagen’s inclusive service plans.
Pricing:
- Transporter 2.0 TDI 81 kW Panel Van – R770,000
- Kombi 2.0 TDI 125 kW Commerce AT – R1,055,200
- Kombi 2.0 TDI 125 kW Life AT – R1,116,845
- Kombi 2.0 TDI 125 kW Edition AT – R1,167,400
- Kombi 2.0 TDI 125 kW Style 4Motion AT – R1,301,400
The panel van and Crew Bus come with a two-year unlimited-kilometre warranty and a three-year/60,000 km service plan. The Kombi variants include a three-year/120,000 km warranty and a five-year/60,000 km maintenance plan.
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