Volkswagen is set to introduce its inaugural plug-in hybrid people mover to the Australian market, the Multivan eHybrid, with an anticipated arrival in showrooms early next year. This move signifies the brand's strategic expansion of its family-oriented vehicle offerings. The initial wave of the diesel-powered Multivan is currently reaching Australian shores, initially presented in a single 'Life' diesel specification, with plans to introduce a more premium 'Style' trim level in the subsequent year. Adding to this evolving lineup, Volkswagen has now officially confirmed the arrival of a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid variant. Production for the Australian market is projected to commence in late 2025, paving the way for its showroom debut in early 2026. Pricing details are expected to be announced closer to the official launch. However, should the plug-in hybrid powertrain be offered in the top-tier 'Style' trim, the inherent costs associated with the electric components, coupled with an extended list of standard features, could potentially push its price point towards the $100,000 mark.
The currently available front-wheel-drive Multivan Life diesel starts at a price of $75,990, excluding on-road costs, with an option for a long-wheelbase model incurring an additional $3,000. The introduction of the Multivan eHybrid will mark a significant milestone, establishing it as the first plug-in hybrid people mover to be offered for sale in Australia. Its arrival is also slated to coincide with the introduction of a plug-in hybrid version of the Transporter van, further expanding Volkswagen's electrified commercial vehicle offerings. In the European market, the Multivan eHybrid 4Motion boasts a sophisticated powertrain that combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 174 hp, a front-mounted electric motor generating 114hp, and a rear-mounted electric motor with an output of 134 hp. This synergistic combination results in a total system output of 241 hp and 350 Newton-meters of torque. The vehicle is equipped with a substantial 19.7 kilowatt-hour battery pack, which is rated to provide an impressive electric driving range of 88 to 94 kilometers based on European WLTP laboratory testing. This represents a significant improvement over earlier iterations of the Multivan plug-in hybrid, which featured a smaller 10.4 kilowatt-hour battery pack and offered a more limited electric range of approximately 50 kilometers.
A key evolution in the latest Multivan plug-in hybrid is its adoption of an all-wheel-drive configuration, replacing the previous front-wheel-drive setup. This is achieved through the integration of the rear axle being driven by the electric motor. Notably, the system is reported to intelligently utilize energy generated by the front motor when the battery pack's charge level is low, ensuring that the vehicle maintains its all-wheel-drive capability even under depleted battery conditions. The new generation Multivan is now underpinned by the same modular platform that forms the basis of popular Volkswagen models such as the Golf and Tiguan. Interestingly, this latest iteration of the Multivan is making its way to Australian showrooms more than three years after its initial launch in the European market, highlighting the different timelines for vehicle introductions across global regions. This delay underscores the complexities of bringing new vehicle technologies and configurations to diverse markets, taking into account factors such as regulatory requirements, market demand, and logistical considerations. The arrival of the plug-in hybrid Multivan is poised to offer Australian families a compelling blend of spaciousness, versatility, and the efficiency benefits of electric propulsion, marking a significant step in the electrification of the people mover segment in Australia.