The Volkswagen Caravelle is back and available to order now. The legendary name returns to the UK in place of the Multivan, bringing decades of Volkswagen heritage into the modern day. With a sharper design, a completely new cockpit and the latest assistance systems, the Caravelle is a premium multi-seat vehicle that stays true to its iconic VW Bus roots.
The front end has been redesigned to give the familiar VW Bus face a more striking look. Larger LED headlights carry a more pronounced daytime running light that arches over them like an eyebrow. A glass-covered strip links the headlights across the front, and it’s illuminated on higher-spec versions. The new headlights are more efficient and light the road ahead more brightly and evenly. A cleaner, aerodynamically optimised bumper underlines the Caravelle’s width.
Colour has always been part of the VW Bus story, and the Caravelle carries that on. There are new two-tone paint finishes, including the elegant Candy White with Grey Brown metallic, and for the first time a matte option in Indium Grey. Five of the 17-, 18- and 19-inch alloy wheel designs are also new.
Step inside and the change is immediate. The all-new dash has higher-quality surfaces and integrated topstitching, with a free-standing 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen alongside the Digital Cockpit. A button on the steering wheel switches between three different cockpit views. Illuminated touch sliders take care of the audio and air conditioning, and the DSG automatic gearbox is now controlled from a switch on the steering column, which frees up space in the centre console. Wireless phone charging comes as standard and now delivers 25 watts. Faster 60-watt USB-C ports are fitted front and rear, and enhanced ambient lighting, including illuminated drink holders, creates a welcoming atmosphere on board.
Passenger comfort is at the heart of the Caravelle. For the first time there’s an eight-seat vis-à-vis layout, with two groups of three sitting face to face in the rear. Caravelle Life and Style models have armrests on both sides in the second row (excluding eight-seat versions), and a new passenger-side grab handle makes getting in and out easier. The optional AGR ErgoComfort seats now offer memory and massage functions for the front passenger as well.
The Caravelle comes in two body lengths and three trim levels: Trend, Life and Style. There’s also a new Generation special edition with a particularly attractive equipment specification. Powertrains include a 150PS TDI diesel and a 204PS TSI petrol, both with front-wheel drive, plus the 245PS eHybrid 4MOTION plug-in hybrid with all-wheel drive and a 19.7kWh battery. On the eHybrid 4MOTION, the electric stationary air conditioning can cool, ventilate or heat the cabin for up to eight hours without interruption.
The latest Travel Assist adds traffic light recognition for the first time, along with assisted lane changing on the motorway. Emergency Assist is built in, too. If the driver has a medical emergency, it can steer the Caravelle onto the hard shoulder or outermost lane and bring it safely to a stop, within system limits.