This off-road-ready Volkswagen Multivan proves the uselessness of SUVs

This is exactly what it looks like: a new Volkswagen T7 Multivan, fitted with some all-terrain bits. It’s that simple. And it’s simply brilliant. 

It comes courtesy of delta4x4, a Bavarian company that’s quite big on the whole ‘going off-road’ thing, as some people seem to be. But there’s no doubting the conviction: delta4x4 is the kind of company that takes new G-Classes and turns them into proper Gelandewagens. We like that. 

For the Multivan – admittedly not much of a rock-hopper at the best of times – it was less a case of unearthing potential than creating potential; “specially adapted” shocks and struts (from Bilstein and Eibach respectively) lift the ride height by 40mm and widen the stance for better stability. That extra width is also down to the Loder AT#1 tyres* – wrapped around 18-inch wheels – that apparently split the difference between a regular all-terrain tyre and a mud tyre. 

And that’s it. That’s all it takes. You can add the roof rack, spot lights and wheel arch extensions as the situation (or regulation) demands, but the essential upgrades are done. That’s €1,400 for the lift, €3,900 for the wheels and tyres and €1,900 for the arch extensions, or about €7,200 (£6,400) all up. 

And in case you’re wondering just how many times you’ll get stuck without proper off-road gubbins underneath... well, a few points. 

Number one: most SUVs don’t have them either. 

Number two: you’d be amazed how far good tyres will get you – if you maintain grip, there’s no need to drive more wheels. If it was a choice of two-wheel drive and mud tyres or a 4x4 on road tyres, we’d pick the former to cross a field every single time. 

Number three: the first problem most people find off-road isn’t traction; it’s clearance. Which lots of modern SUVs struggle with too, come to think of it. 

So why aren’t off-road-ready vans more of a thing? Well, without retreading too much ground here, SUVs were marketed well enough so that the shape, which hinted at (or outright promised) ability in more adventurous climes, was enough to overcome the penalties to weight, agility, fuel economy, space and amount of derision from anyone who cares even remotely about cars. 

And we get the feeling that vans never enjoyed the same uplift. Possibly because vans already existed, where SUVs could bank on novelty when they were new. Possibly because they’re just a bit too all-bases-covered to ever be considered a desirable object. Or possibly because selling us all on #vanlife was enough on its own, with its preponderance of Angus and Julia Stone clones, all intoning how living in a van down by the river is somehow a life goal and not an admission of defeat. Which is exactly what it looks like. 

* If you’ve not heard of Loder tyres, that’s because they’re made by delta4x4. Considering delta4x4 also sells Mickey Thompson, BF Goodrich and Cooper tyres, we’re guessing they’re up to snuff to say the least.