Are you as eager to find out about the latest T7 Transporter release and details as us? Well, we’ve delved into the latest scoop and this is what we found…

When is the new Volkswagen Transporter T7 due to release?

We expect the new Transporter T7 is going to be available to pre-order in the late summer of this year, and deliveries are expected to start going out in 2025. However, this is yet to be confirmed, and could raise the question, have Volkswagen waited too long? The Ford Transit Custom has already been on sale for many months, which could pose risks to sales of the T7.

Credit: Volkswagen

How does the T7 differ from its predecessor?

Let’s point out the obvious, many of you VW die hards won’t be happy with the latest release from Volkswagen. Many say it’s a Ford with a VW badge on it and to be honest this can’t be denied. The VW will adopt a huge number of it’s parts from the new Ford Transit Custom including it’s infamous wetbelt engine. However, there are some advantages to this collaboration, here’s our breakdown.

The T7 has slightly larger dimensions this time around, which allows for more functionality than before. This added room can be used for extra comfort, or even for extra storage space while travelling, therefore making the T7 a slightly more versatile proposition for a lot of customers.

The T7 also offers a more fresh and modern design, notably because of the huge windscreen, and slightly more rounded nose that definitely nods towards the somewhat iconic styling of the VW Buzz and earlier Transporter models.

Whilst previously being a direct competitor to the Transit Custom, the VW T7 has moved onto a Ford chassis, being almost a carbon copy of the Transit. This marks the first time that a VW Transporter has used the same chassis as a Transit Custom.

The Transporter’s migration to a wetbelt engine may not go down well with VW fans, as they notoriously require more servicing and can be prone to failure, creating a headache for some diehard fans that may be looking to upgrade.

Credit: Volkswagen

What are some of the best features of the new T7 Transporter?

One of the best things that this van has to offer is the extended wheelbase. The standard Transporter will now measure 5,050mm, which is a 146mm increase from its predecessor, and also features an increase of its wheelbase by 97mm, so it will now measure 3,100mm.

Another huge advantage of the new T7 is the vast amount of aftermarket modifications that will be available, and this is largely down to the Ford Transit Custom sharing so many of its features with the T7 Transporter.

Credit: Volkswagen

What are the differences between the new Ford Transit Custom and the T7 Transporter?

One of the more notable differences between the Transit Custom and the T7 Transporter is the design of the nose, the Transit Custom has a more prominent front end than the T7, with Volkswagen opting for a more rounded design.

The front bumper and grille are also different, with the Transit Custom featuring a hexagonal design for its grille, compared to the rounded design for the Transporter.

The interiors of each van are largely the same, and you probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference at a glance, and there has been a general consensus that older Transporter models have looked and felt more premium than the new T7. This downgrade could raise the argument that the Custom interior is much more favourable with customers, and tilt the market in favour of the Ford.

Credit: Volkswagen

A final difference between the Transporter and the Transit Custom is the lighting design. The Transporter’s rear lights are much smaller and in a cluster design, whereas the Custom boasts a much thinner and longer lighting design. This makes for a sleek look, and gives a different option to the smaller lights on the T7.

Credit: Volkswagen

Community reactions to the Ford Transit Custom and the T7 Transporter

The reaction to the unveiling of the T7 Transporter has brought with it a lot of critics, with one person describing the unveiling as ‘like an April Fools joke’. These critiques stem from minimal design differences, lack of originality and the VW styling that the community knows and loves.

However, on the other hand, the Transit Custom has been met with some better reviews, with people saying that it would be a great option for commercial van owners, and that it looks and feels like a next-generation vehicle.

Our final word...

So, after looking through the latest reveals and images, the T7 has some improvements on its predecessor, with the biggest one being the increased space and more modern design. However, it seems most Transporter fans are disappointed with what they have seen, and may want to stick with their trusty older generation Dub!