All-new, Ford-based Volkswagen Kombi confirmed for South Africa in 2025

There’s a new Volkswagen Kombi on the horizon and like the latest Amarok, it has Ford DNA.

Volkswagen has confirmed that the seventh-generation (T7) Transporter range will reach South Africa during the second half of 2025.

Like its predecessor the new T7 will be available in multiple body styles, with the Kombi, Crew Bus and Panel Van models reaching local shores next year, and the Dropside Double Cab bakkie following in 2026.

In an extension of the German brand’s partnership with Ford, the new Transporter range is actually based on the Ford Transit Custom, and it’s not to be confused with the new Multivan (including Caravelle), which is a more upmarket product based on VW’s own MQB platform.

The new Ford-based Transporter is, as before, offered in short wheelbase and long wheelbase variants, and they’re significantly larger than the T6 equivalents, with overall length having grown by 146mm and the wheelbase by 97mm.

All T7s are powered by Ford’s 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, which will be offered in three output levels: 81kW, 110kW and 125kW. The latter will be fitted as standard with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and with a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

The Panel Van now has a payload of 1.33 tonnes and a towing capacity of up to 2.8 tonnes, depending on the variant, a significant increase over its predecessor’s 2.5 tonne maximum. The load compartment is larger too, with a length of 2,602mm in the SWB and 3,002 in the LWB. 

The vans can be ordered with either a conventional tailgate or wing doors.

Standard equipment in the new Transporter range has been significantly improved, with all versions now sporting a 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 12-inch digital instrument cluster, electronic parking brake, multi-function steering wheel, rain sensor, Lane Assist and Automatic Emergency Braking.

Pricing and detailed specifications for the new Volkswagen Transporter will be announced closer to launch.

IOL