Volkswagen Launches Caravelle and Transporter at IAA 2024 - Not the Ones You're Thinking

The International Motor Show Germany or International Mobility Show Germany, known in German as Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA – International Automobile Exhibition), is one of the biggest mobility trade fairs for all intents and purposes. The event now consists of two separate entities, divided in 1991 – IAA Mobility (formerly simply known as the Frankfurt Motor Show) is about automobiles and two-wheeled vehicles, while IAA Transportation in Hanover is focused on the commercial side of the automotive business.

The Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA) recognizes IAA as one of the 'big five' prestigious auto shows worldwide – but IAA Mobility has continuously lost hype since before it moved from Frankfurt to Munich. However, IAA Transportation 2024 gets at least one major (double) premiere – the T7 generation Volkswagen Transporter and Caravelle, which appear in front of the public after their initial online presentation in early August. Now, they’re available for viewing until September 22 at VW’s stand in Hall 12.

Completely redesigned from the ground up, the seventh-generation Transporter and the new Caravelle complete the van range alongside the Multivan and California models (as well as the all-electric ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo). There's also a contemporary range of powertrains – diesel with FWD and all-wheel drive, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric models. Additionally, Volkswagen boasts a lot of advantages: "more space, increased payload, increased maximum trailer weight and greater economic efficiency" for the new Transporter and the nine-seat Caravelle.

Seventy-five years after the original T1's introduction, Volkswagen has unified these offerings under the 'Bulli' moniker – the new Transporter (with pure commercial vehicles and the Caravelle), Multivan (recreational and business vans plus the fresh California camper van), as well as the dedicated ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo all-electric models. For clients, Volkswagen will offer the new Transporter with panel van and panel van 'Plus,' crew bus, as well as a double cab with extended wheelbase body styles.

More so, the crew bus and panel van versions are optionally fitted with a high roof and long wheelbase; the nine-seater Caravelle is focused on shuttle and minibus transportation services with or without an extended wheelbase, and both Transporter and Caravelle can be had in the new PanAmericana all-terrain version. The maximum stowage volume is nine square meters, and the top payload reaches 0.13 tons more than before (up to 1.33 tons), while the maximum braked trailer weight soared by 0.3T to 2.8 T.

Under the hood, the T7 Caravelle and Transporter get seven drive setups at launch – three TDIs with 81 kW (110 PS), 110 kW (150 PS), and 125 kW (170 PS), with the latter two getting optional or standard eight-speed auto boxes and 4Motion. There's also an eHybrid PHEV packing 171 kW (232 PS), while the e-Transporter and e-Caravelle get 64-kWh batteries across the board and three options: 100 kW (136 PS), 160 kW (218 PS), and 210 kW (286 PS).