- The facelifted Volkswagen T7 has been spied undergoing cold weather testing.
- It has a deceiving wrap that hides an all-new front end with larger headlights.
- Interior is expected to get a significant revamp and a larger infotainment system.
Volkswagen brought a little bit of California to Sweden as the facelifted T7 camper van has been caught undergoing cold weather testing.
Spied in range-topping Ocean trim, the van doesn’t look too remarkable at first glance. However, a closer inspection reveals the front end is covered by a photorealistic wrap of the current design.
More: VW’s New eHybrid Multivans Pack AWD And Nearly Double The Electric Range
As a result, the slender top intake is nothing more than a glorified sticker. The fact that the prototype doesn’t have ventilation here, suggests the upcoming production model could eschew it altogether and adopt a more traditional front end.
Breaks in the wrap also suggest the headlights are larger than they appear as we can see their outline peeking through. They’ll likely be connected by a new and more minimalist light bar.
Additional details are hard to make out, but we can expect a new bumper with a revamped lower intake. Cracks and bulges indicate the latter will adopt a rectangular design, which could echo the one found on the ID. Buzz.
SHproshots
There doesn’t appear to be any other exterior changes at this point, but the production model could have a few other tweaks including new taillights and a lightly revised rear bumper. That being said, designers appear to be paying far more attention to the front end and cabin.
Speaking of the latter, the interior will get a welcome revamp that will apparently be headlined by a larger, freestanding infotainment system. The display will replace the current 10-inch screen and it’s expected to be a modern MIB4 unit like the 12.9-inch infotainment system found on the US-spec Tiguan.
Besides new technology, we can expect a revamped dashboard and updated switchgear. The steering wheel also appears new, although it’s hard to be certain at this point.
The current model offers an assortment of powertrains including a 2.0-liter TDI with outputs of 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS) and 265 lb-ft (360 Nm) as well as 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm). Customers can also get a plug-in hybrid variant with a 1.5-liter engine, an electric motor, and a 19.7 kWh battery pack. This gives the van a combined output of 241 hp (180 kW / 245 PS) and an electric-only range of 52 miles (84 km) in the United Kingdom.
The facelifted plug-in hybrid could benefit from an improved battery. However, that remains to be seen.
