The Multivan – Clever new feature means added space
Shift-by-wire: signals from compact DSG switch relayed electronically in the Multivan
Multivan DNA: every Bulli must offer that practical gap between the front seats for climbing through to the back
Automatically better: the next Multivan is equipped as standard with a dual clutch gearbox (DSG)
Hannover, 27 April 2021 – Sometimes even something really good needs to be reinvented to make it even better. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has done that and simply dispensed with the gear knob. In the Multivan. The objective: to make driving easier and to increase space. Generation one and two of this best-selling vehicle – the T3 and T4 – were equipped with a conventional gear lever with a long shaft. In the third and fourth generation of the Multivan – the T5 and T6 – the means of changing gear then moved to the instrument panel. That optimised the gap through to the back, a typical feature in the Bulli. However, it can be even better, as a new Multivan will soon show.
The interplay of electronics and software is making new functions possible. In the next generation Multivan, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles utilises this interplay to transform the gear knob into a switch and thus to reduce it in size so that the gap for climbing through to the back becomes even bigger. The technology behind it: shift-by-wire. That means electronic relaying of the gear change signals. With one click. The prerequisite for this is the fact that in future the Multivan is being equipped with a dual clutch gearbox, aka a DSG. That's because where there is no longer a manual gearbox, space for a manual gear change mechanism, gear knob included, is no longer needed.
The Head of Design at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Albert Kirzinger, explains in a short video what also makes the Bulli a Bulli in the interior: "Generosity in the interior. We have taken out the gear knob. We've even cleared the space in the middle, assigned it to the driver. The new Bulli will be an exciting product. You can look forward to it."
Instead, a small switch is now sufficient. It is integrated ergonomically perfectly into the new instrument panel to the right of the steering wheel. The DSG switch is thus on a level with the 10-inch display of the infotainment system - on which, for the first time in the Multivan, a real 360-degree representation of the vehicle is also displayed as an ‘Area View’ (optional) in order to make parking and manoeuvring very easy. One floor lower, meanwhile, the conventional handbrake lever has also been cleared out of the way. From now on, the parking brake is activated electronically by button or automatically. And thus the space between driver’s seat and front passenger seat increases even more. So that you can quickly jump into the back to see to the children during a stop. Or to get something from the cool box. Or to use the new multi-function table from the back as a centre console between driver’s and front passenger seat. But that is already moving on to another story about the new Multivan. To be continued.
The Multivan – The freedom of maximum flexibility
Thanks to its clever concept: the Multivan has for over 35 years been offering the freedom to utilise the space on board flexibly
Next stage of its evolution: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is unveiling a new seating system in the next Multivan
With maximum flexibility: lightweight rear seats can be moved and taken out quickly thanks to a new track system
Hannover, 22 April 2021 – The Multivan is the master of transformation: family MPV, business shuttle, sports gear transporter, removal van, camper with sleeping space, a vehicle for everything. The first-generation Multivan launched in 1985 already scored with this concept. It is the model line’s DNA. With each new Multivan the flexibility of the interior has been further perfected. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is now presenting this year the next stage in the cult vehicle’s evolution: the new Multivan. It will have the most flexible interior system that a Bulli has ever had.
Nothing remains as it was. And yet everything feels the way that it must in a Multivan: High seating position in the front. Up to five movable/removable individual seats in the back. On request, the second row of seats can be rotated by 180 degrees, allowing the rear seats to be arranged in the typical face-to-face arrangement of the Multivan. It is a concept that originates from the Multivan T3 and has been a winning formula for over 35 years. Generation by generation it has become even better. The time is now ripe for another big step: in taking it, the new Multivan will transport the unique interior concept of the T3, T4, T5, T6 and T6.1 into the future.
Albert Kirzinger, Head of Design at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, explains in a short video why flexible seats and a middle seat that is both movable and removable are so important for a Multivan: “It is wonderfully practical. And a car is practical, if it can be used flexibly. To that end, we’ve created a new seating system. You can easily take seats out to get your sports equipment, mountain bike and/or surfboard into this generously proportioned space. With these seats, everything is possible in the new Multivan.”
Henceforth there will be only individual seats – the full-width bench seat on the third row has been done away with. At the same time, the new individual seats of the second and third rows have become much lighter. They can now be moved extremely quickly and also taken out and put back in with the utmost ease. That’s because Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has redeveloped the track system as well. It is now an end-to-end system from the back through to the second seating row. That makes arrangement of the seats more flexible than ever. Since the three-seater rear bench has given way to individual seats, it will be possible in future, for example, to simply remove the seats on one side of the vehicle or to seamlessly push the middle seat of the third row forward to just shy of the first seating row for transporting expensive racing bikes or e-bikes. Since 1985, every Multivan has incidentally also had a table on board. It too has been reinvented by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. It is now more functional than ever and can – thanks to the new track system – be docked in any position. But that is already moving on to another story about the new Multivan. To be continued!
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