5 reasons why the van should (not) celebrate a comeback.
If we look at Volkswagen’s van offensive, it seems that the van or MPV is making a comeback. Here are five reasons why this is good or bad news.
An MPV stands for Multi-Purpose Vehicle. It is a type of car designed to offer comfort and functionality to passengers, especially for families who need more space than a standard passenger car can provide.
Five reasons why the MPV should not celebrate a comeback.
1. Volkswagen still believes in people carriers
Volkswagen thinks like this, and that’s not surprising because it originally invented the segment. For example, after years of waiting, they recently successfully introduced the all-electric crowd favorite ID.Buzz.
You can see this EV MPV as the grandson of the legendary split bus of the time, but Volkswagen has more vans to offer. For example, the transporter once invented by the late Ben Pon is still alive and well. It is available as a passenger bus and of course as a company car in all possible variants. The Multivan is the third MPV model based on the passenger platform.
2. An MPV is smarter
As a car concept, the MPV is much smarter than a tall, heavy and less functional SUV. Due to the spacious, linear shape without a separate hood, we also refer to an MPV or bus as a one-box design or monovolume. It is indeed a big box on wheels with plenty of interior space.
You can mount seven seats in it and then stow a lot of luggage. MPV doesn’t mean Multi Purpose Vehicle for nothing. Such a bus is certainly multifunctional; often with removable seats that you can also use in all sorts of positions.
3. Better for an electric powertrain
An MPV is also a good idea because it does better justice to the possibilities offered by modern electric propulsion. Such an electric car does not need a separate engine compartment or hood, as the motors are low and partially integrated into the axles or wheels.
In any case, the electrical engineering with a much smaller electric motor and a battery pack that is often hidden in the floor requires more conceptual options. The wheels can therefore also be placed more at the extreme corners.
4. Unattractive
An MPV is not a good idea as many people do not find an MPV attractive. Such a car isn’t sexy enough because it looks too much like a van and they don’t think that’s cool.
It is not for nothing that the SUV is so popular because it looks particularly robust. Whether it is actually as all-terrain as its appearance promises is of secondary importance.
5. Limited Offer
Another reason not to go for an MPV is the limited range. You used to have a wide variety of real MPVs to choose from. Pioneers like the Renault Espace, Fiat Multipla and the Chrysler Voyager. Trend followers such as Renault Scenic and Opel Zafira were also very popular. Now you have to shop at Volkswagen and then find out that the MPV has become, first and foremost, an expensive car.
An alternative is the gray import, since the supply is much larger internationally. For example, we recently borrowed a brand new Chrysler Pacifica from the Amsterdam company Carway for a report in the next issue of Autovisie magazine and compared it with the latest Volkswagen Multivan.