THE seventh generation of the Volkswagen Transporter has been given its world premiere at the German commercial vehicle show in Hannover.

Bigger than ever and with a choice of engines including plug-in hybrid, diesel and electric powertrains, the new Transporter will be available in a variety of body styles.

Those include conventional vans, crew cab and a nine-seat shuttle bus or large taxi.

In certain markets there will be PanAmericana all-terrain versions, complete with all-wheel-drive.

The new Transporter has been brought right up to date with features such as an automatic parking brake and on auto transmission versions a column mounted gear shift - both freeing up space in the centre of the cabin.

In standard van form it measures 5.05 metres long - 14.6cm longer than before - and the wheelbase has been extended by almost 10cm to 3.1 metres.

Three Euro pallets can be loaded and the normal versions have a cargo capacity of 5.8 cubic metres.

Long wheelbase versions with a high roof can carry nine cubic metres and the Transporter can be fitted with six seats in the passenger area if needed,

It is due on the road in March 2025 and although prices are still to be announced it is understood VW is trying to bring in the new Transporter below the price of its Ford Transit Custom sister-ship which starts from £32,350 excluding VAT.

Initially the Transporter will be fitted with a choice of three diesel engines with either 110, 150 or 170ps or a zero emission electric powertrain with a 64kWh battery and power outputs of 136, 218 and 286ps.

A plug-in eHybrid will come on stream later in 2025 and will use a petrol engine linked to an electrical set up which has a combined output of 232ps.

Performance figures will be announced closer to the release date.

All are fitted with 12-inch digital instrument panels and a 13-inch display screen while driver aids include lane assist, automatic emergency braking and roadsign recognition.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be offering the new Transporter as a panel van, a Kombi, Shuttle and as a double cab with platform body and long wheelbase.

The Kombi and panel van versions are optionally available with a high roof and an extended wheelbase.

The nine-seater Transporter Shuttle was designed for commercial passenger transport which will be available as the independent Transporter Shuttle as an entry-level version, with a mid-range Life equipment specification, and as a top-of-the-line Style version. The Transporter Shuttle is also available with an extended wheelbase.

The Transporter has been a feature of the Volkswagen line for seven decades with the first versions seen in 1949.

Now, 75 years later, the so-called Bulli has beomce a permanent fixture of international automotive heritage.

The 2024 Bulli range consists of the new Transporter, the Multivan and the ID. Buzz. The Transporter product line comprises pure commercial vehicles and the Transporter Shuttle series.

The Multivan is the family's recreational and business van and has also just launched as a redesigned California camper van.

The ID. Buzz and the ID. Buzz Cargo commercial vehicle version are the first electric mobility icons.

VW says the Transporter, Multivan and ID. Buzz - the 7th generation Bullis - currently form the widest range of models in their class on the market.