Volkswagen Multivan 2026 News

Volkswagen Australia is rapidly expanding its commercial vehicle portfolio with the introduction of a stripped back ‘Runner’ version of its large Crafter van, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powered Multivan scheduled to arrive in mid-2027 and a PHEV version of the compact Caddy van also looking likely for arrival next year.Pitched at $59,990, drive-away, the Crafter Runner Van returns in the current-generation version of VW’s ‘big box’ workhorse, sitting more than $10K under the Crafter 35 MWB Van TDI360 it’s based on ($72,600, before on road costs).Positioned by VW as “optimised for basic needs” the Runner is offered exclusively in (103kW/360Nm) turbo-diesel, front-wheel drive, mid-wheelbase form with changes including:Black rather than a painted front bumperBarn doors without windowsBase seats (two) in synthetic leather (rather than three-across ‘Comfort’ seating)But it retains the technical specs of the Crafter 35 MWB Van TDI360.The Runner’s sliding door aperture is a generous 1311mm, it boasts four-Euro pallet load capacity, a low (570mm) load sill, 2.5-tonne braked trailer towing capacity and a partition with fixed windows and grille.At the same time Volkswagen Australia Commercial Vehicles Head of Marketing & Product Michelle Rowney has confirmed mid-2027 arrival timing for the PHEV Multivan eHybrid.The current T7-generation Multivan eHybrid is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, working in concert with an electric motor to deliver a combined 180kW/350Nm to all four wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and VW’s ‘4Motion’ drive system.It features a 19.7kWh (net) NMC battery for a maximum pure-electric driving range of 93km (WLTP) and a 50kW DC charge rate allows a 10-80 per cent top up in around 26 minutes. AC charge rate is up to 11kW.Zero to 100km/h acceleration is a sprightly 8.9 seconds with a top speed of 200km/h (130 km/h in pure-EV mode).And Ms Rowney has also hinted that the Caddy eHybrid is a strong candidate for local sale, telling CarsGuide, "We're in the planning stages of that."Using essentially the same 1.5-litre petrol engine/electric motor powertrain as its larger Crafter sibling the Caddy extends pure-electric range out to 122 km (WLTP) and also supports 50kW DC fast charging.

Volkswagen will launch a number of new electrified commercial vehicles in Australia later this year and in early 2027.Headlining these is the addition of an ID. Buzz Pro all-wheel drive trim, complementing the existing GTX flagship all-wheel drive trim. To date the ID. Buzz Pro has only been offered with a single, rear-mounted electric motor.There is also an all-wheel drive version of the ID.Buzz Cargo, as well as a long-wheelbase body style, coming to complement the existing rear-wheel drive trim.Both of these will form part of a model year 2027 (MY27) update for the ID.Buzz and ID.Buzz Cargo. Volkswagen hasn’t fully disclosed what else will be changing or added with this update just yet.Volkswagen is planning to launch a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the Multivan people-mover in the first quarter of 2027. It’s understood this will come with all-wheel drive.This will be complemented by an Australian launch of the Caddy PHEV.Beyond the launch of these electrified products, the next launch for Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle division is the Amarok W600, which has been fettled by Australian engineering and manufacturing firm, Walkinshaw.The German carmaker will roll out its MY26 update for the Amarok, which axes the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine, and the addition of a new Amarok Style with the 2.3-litre turbo-petrol engine and the special edition Amarok Dark Label.Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia Product Manager Michael Cenci told CarsGuide the entry-level Amarok Core will pick up the updated 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine for MY26, swapping out the wet belt for a timing chain.This mirrors what the related Ford Ranger received for its MY26 update.Beyond the updated engine, the Amarok Core will also receive a 10-speed automatic transmission, replacing the six-speed automatic.At this stage it’s unclear what other changes will occur with this MY26 update for the Amarok. Volkswagen hasn’t published pricing yet.