Meanwhile, America is still stuck with the ID Buzz.Silver Volkswagen camper van with pop-up roof parked on a sandy beach near the ocean.If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn moreThere are few vans in this world that are as iconic and legendary as Volkswagen's Transporter. But after the previous sixth-gen "T6" model, the Wolfsburg-based automaker sought to rebrand the van's "T7" successor as the "Multivan" in an attempt to appeal to a wider audience.That apparently backfired as it failed to catch on with buyers and even fans familiar with VW's legendary MPV. As a result, VW went back to the drawing board to revive the Caravelle name for the T7's smaller variant, a badge once used to market the previous T6 in select markets.AdvertisementAdvertisementAnd now, VW's Commercial Division just revealed the revised and renamed model, and it's as epic as ever. Sort of.VW's longest running model remains the standard bearerAlthough this looks like a smaller VW T7 Transporter, it's actually a Ford Transit van wrapped up in a German suit. - Credit: Volkswagen Commercial VehiclesIf Volkswagen's current van lineup isn't already confusing as, the automaker's latest model range rebranding hopefully seeks to remedy that. After the seventh-gen T7 Transporter arrived in 2022 as the Multivan, Volkswagen spun off a more medium-sized lighter-duty variant in 2024.VW still called it the Transporter. But it wasn't considered a variant of the T7. That's because the smaller Transporter, which now revives the Caravelle name, is basically a Ford Transit van wrapped up in a German suit.Still confused? Yea, so are we. Anyway….Still, the new Caravelle is proof that VW still knows how to make vans stylish and cool. - Credit: Volkswagen Commercial VehiclesTo keep the Transporter…*ahem*…Caravelle fresh, the German carmaker updated its exterior with the usual midcycle revisions. Such includes redesigned lighting assemblies and front and rear bumpers, new wheel designs, and options lists.AdvertisementAdvertisementBut now, the Caravelle also gains upgraded power- and drivetrains. The latest includes a new eHybrid 4MOTION option, which involves VW's most up-to-date 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with two electric motors on each axle.Despite its Ford Transit van roots, Volkswagen still made sure to dress it up as if it was its own. - Credit: Volkswagen Commercial VehiclesThe result is a total system output of around 241 horsepower. A 19.7 kilowatt-hour battery pack drives the dual electric motor setup, while also enabling up to 50 miles of all-electric range.Those looking for good 'ol fashioned compression ignition will be able to opt for VW's latest 148-horsepower turbodiesel four-cylinder. While speed demons can still opt for the top-spec 2.0-liter TFSI gas four-banger with 201 horses.The California returns, but remains forbidden fruit to USThe iconic California trim returns with the updated Caravelle. - Credit: Volkswagen Commercial VehiclesBut what also remains is the iconic California camper van trim, complete with a motorized pop-up roof tent. Despite being named after the picturesque #vanlife experience of driving the world-renowned Pacific Coast Highway and enjoying the outdoors, it remains forbidden fruit to us Americans.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's unavailability, however, doesn't keep us form lusting for a proper factory-built VW camper van. Something that's been absent from our market since the last Transporter van sold in North America, the T4, or what we know as the Eurovan.Availability and pricingThe Caravelle will hit dealers in Europe in the coming months with pricing and other details surfacing closer to that launch date.Two-tone beige and white Volkswagen Multivan parked on a tiled driveway in front of a modern house.2027 Volkswagen Caravelle Learn More About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).AdvertisementAdvertisementWant to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.add as a preferred source on google
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