Volkswagen confirms 2026 South Africa launch for electrified PHEV Caravelle

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has confirmed that the all-new T7 Caravelle plug-in hybrid 4MOTION will be launched in South Africa around mid-2026. The new model introduces electrified all-wheel drive to the Caravelle range and marks a shift towards plug-in hybrid technology for the people carrier.

It combines electric driving, a petrol engine and electrically controlled all-wheel drive, designed to operate as an electric vehicle for short distances while retaining its long-distance capability.

How it works

The plug-in hybrid uses a system with two electric motors and a petrol engine. One electric motor drives the front axle while a second one drives the rear axle. The setup operates when the battery has sufficient charge.

A 19.7kWh lithium-ion battery powers the electric motors. When fully charged, the Caravelle can travel up to 91 kilometres on electric power. In hybrid mode, the vehicle has a top speed of 190 km/h, while electric driving is possible up to 130km/h.

The vehicle starts in electric mode by default if there is enough battery charge. The system prioritises electric driving before bringing the petrol engine into operation when needed.

All-wheel drive

In Eco and Comfort driving modes, the rear motor only engages above 65km/h. In Sport mode, the rear axle remains active up to 130km/h. Above that speed, the rear motor disengages to reduce energy consumption.

The power split between the front and rear axles is managed electronically via the stability control system. Depending on traction and driving conditions, up to 100 percent of the power can be sent to either axle.

When the battery charge is depleted, the rear electric motor can still operate with electricity generated by the petrol engine and front motor acting as a generator.

Permanent all-wheel drive is activated when Sport mode is selected or when the stability control system is set to Sport when driving on loose or slippery surfaces.

Outputs

The petrol engine is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TSI engine producing 130kW and 250Nm, paired with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The front electric motor delivers 85kW and 330Nm of torque and is integrated with the gearbox. This allows the Caravelle to accelerate in electric mode without immediately starting the engine.

The rear electric motor produces 100kW and 250Nm driving the rear axle through a single-speed gearbox. Together, the petrol engine and electric motors deliver a combined system torque of 350Nm.

Charging and efficiency

The high-voltage battery has nearly double the usable energy capacity of the front-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid Caravelle. It is liquid-cooled and mounted under the front seats to improve weight distribution.

Charging can be done at AC charging points up to 11kW. DC fast charging is also supported, with charging of up to 50kW. Using a DC charger, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in approximately 26 minutes.

When the battery is depleted, fuel consumption is rated between 7.5 and 8.1l/100km under the WLTP test cycle, depending on specification.

Stationary air conditioning

The Caravelle includes electric stationary air conditioning. This system can heat, cool or ventilate the interior while the vehicle is parked, charging or being used for camping.

When connected to an external power source, the system can operate for up to 30 minutes. When running on the vehicle’s battery alone, it switches off after 10 minutes. The system is activated via the infotainment screen or a smartphone app.

Modes

Four driving modes are available: Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual. Eco mode reduces power output and softens throttle response. Comfort mode focuses on smooth operation.

Sport mode delivers maximum system output and keeps all-wheel drive engaged for longer. Individual mode allows drivers to adjust drivetrain, steering and optional systems.

The T7 Caravelle eHybrid 4MOTION is currently in South Africa for homologation.

Pricing and range will be announced closer to launch.