INTRODUCTION
In case you didn’t know already, the Volkswagen T6.1 Transporter is no longer available to purchase, having been on sale from 2015 to 2023. Whilst we now have the new T7 Multivan, replacing the Caravelle, and the ever-divisive ID Buzz, the Transporter community is eagerly waiting to see what’s next in line to replace the beloved T6.1 Transporter!
A NEW VAN ON THE HORIZON?
In the past year, Volkswagen developed two new revolutionary vans – the ID Buzz and the T7 Multivan. It leaves us wondering what will replace the T6.1 – a versatile and highly regarded Transporter that built upon the legacy of its predecessors.
With its sleek and modern design, the T6.1 offers a perfect blend of functionality and style. Under the hood, it boasts efficient and powerful diesel and petrol engine options, with advanced technology and a spacious and comfortable interior. Will the new van live up to it’s predecessor? Only time will tell.
If you’re staying loyal to your T6.1, we have you covered with a huge range of upgrades here at Vee Dub Transporters!
There's lots of speculation about what could be coming next!
A SWITCH TO ELECTRIC?
With the ID Buzz splitting opinions across the Volkswagen Community, it leaves us wondering whether the new Transporter model will be a fully electric or hybrid vehicle. Volkswagen is arguably leading the way in the production of electric vehicles so it wouldn’t surprise us if they took this route.
The automotive industry has significantly shifted to producing electric vehicles and is slowly phasing out petrol and diesel models. Volkswagen lovers are deliberating whether the successor to their beloved T6.1 will have to be plugged in, which we know would definitely put some people off!
The other alternative is a hybrid model, similar to the recent T7 Multivan’s eHybrid variant. We think this could definitely be an option for the next Transporter model!
Credit: Volkswagen
AN UNLIKELY ALLIANCE?
What the majority thought would never happen has come to fruition recently with the announcement of Project Cyclone. This agreement signifies the collaboration between Volkswagen and Ford, wherein both companies will work together to develop a lineup of commercial vehicles.
The Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok represent the initial outcomes of this collaboration, marking the first jointly created vehicles. In contrast, while the Transporter T6.1 was solely designed by VW, the upcoming 2024 model is poised to emulate the collaborative approach seen in the Ranger and Amarok, becoming another jointly developed vehicle.
This new collaboration could see the VW Transporter and Ford’s Transit Custom uniting to launch a new generation of vans for both companies – this would unquestionably be an interesting yet polarising topic for the Transporter community.
“This alliance comes at a time of tremendous enthusiasm about the intersection of increasingly intelligent, connected vehicles in an ever-smarter world.”
Jim Hackett – Ford CEO
“Commercial vehicles are fundamental to Ford today and an area where we will accelerate and grow, and working with Volkswagen on these platforms will provide both of us significant financial advantages in things like engineering, and plants and tooling.”
Jim Farley – Ford Chief Operating Officer
WILL VW STAY IN THEIR LANE?
It is impossible to please everyone. Being in the business for over ten years, we know that Volkswagen owners love their traditions. We think it’s awesome to see people restoring, maintaining and daily driving old-school vans as well as upgrading and modifying newer models. That’s what makes the Vee Dub community so special!
However, we also love to witness the future of the automotive industry unfolding. We are seeing new and interesting concepts that evidence the advancement and progression in design, technology and engineering. Volkswagen is leading the way and it’s exciting to see what the future has in store!
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FINAL THOUGHTS
The Transporter community eagerly awaits the successor to the T6.1 Transporter, with the T7 Multivan and ID Buzz already on the scene. Project Cyclone has shed some light on the next generation, which is likely to embrace electric vehicles as Volkswagen shifts away from petrol and diesel models.
Volkswagen enthusiasts hold high hopes that the upcoming successor to the T6.1 will pay homage to the iconic Transporter lineage whilst ushering in cutting-edge technologies and propelling the industry into the next era. Only time will tell to see if the VW Transporter is blessed or doomed!
