T1/T2
Volkswagen Type 1/2, generation T1 & T2
T1T3
Volkswagen Type 2, generation T3/Vanagon/T25
T3/Vanagon/T25T4
Volkswagen Transporter (T4), generation T4
T4T5
Volkswagen Transporter (T5), generation T5
T5Flexible-fuel
A modern T2 is still manufactured in Brazil as Volkswagen Kombi Total Flex, with a flexible-fuel engine that runs on any combination of gasoline and ethanol.
Brazilian 2006 T2 Total FlexVolkswagen Transporter (T4)
Manufacturer Volkswagen
Also called Volkswagen Eurovan
Production 1991-2003
Assembly Hannover, Germany
Predecessor Volkswagen Vanagon
Successor Volkswagen Transporter (T5)
Volkswagen Routan (United States & Canada)
Class Minivan
Body style(s)
4-door minivan
3-door minivan
Layout Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform Volkswagen Group T platform
Engine(s)
1.8L I4
2.0L I4
2.5L I5
2.8L VR6
1.9L I4 Diesel
1.9L I4 Turbodiesel
2.4L I5 Diesel
2.5L I5 TDI
Transmission(s)
4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
Wheelbase 115.0 in (2921 mm)
Length 1991-97: 186.6 in (4740 mm)
1998-2003: 188.5 in (4788 mm)
Width 72.4 in (1839 mm)
Height 1991-97: 75.6 in (1920 mm)
1991-93 CV: 74.8 in (1900 mm)
1994-97 CV: 77.6 in (1971 mm)
1999-2003: 76.4 in (1941 mm)
The Volkswagen Transporter (known in North America as the Volkswagen Eurovan) was the first front-engined van produced by German automaker Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and is the successor of the Volkswagen Type 2 van. It is built on the Volkswagen Group T platform.
History
As early as the late 1970s, Volkswagen began to think about replacing their rear-engined Type 2 vans with a more modern, front-engined, water-cooled design, as they had very successfully done with their passenger cars earlier in that decade. The reason why in 1980 they still introduced the new rear-engined T3/Vanagon instead is unclear; the front-engined van was delayed until 1990.
T4 (1990–2003)
Early 1990s Multivan Allstar
Late 1990s Transporter Highroof Half-Panel long wheelbase 
1998-2003 Volkswagen Eurovan (US)The T4, released in 1990, was the first Transporter without a rear engine. This front-wheel drive model was available in two wheelbases, and being front-engined allowed a far greater diversity for special bodies - from wreckers to three-axled minibuses to large box-bodied ambulances, almost everything was possible. Transversely mounted engines with four, five and six cylinders, and especially the very popular TDI diesel engines with direct injection, brought the Transporter's performance back to state of the art, which couldn't really be said about either the T2 or T3.
Enthusiasts naturally bemoaned the death of the classic Type 2, but rationally it really was inevitable. The market proves it: the T4 was a tremendous success, and the introduction of its successor was delayed time and again due to unabated demand. After no less than 14 years, the T4 ceased production in 2003 (making it second only to the T1 for length of production in its home market), but it is rumoured to be resurrected for the Chinese market.
There was one major model change to the T4, in 1994, when the re-shaped front end was introduced. This was needed to fit the six-cylinder VR6 engine into the Transporter's engine bay. The commercial variants, however, which were not available with the VR6, retained the old look (although they were changed as well, they just still looked almost the same). Keeping with the Type 2's tradition, these two versions are called T4a and T4b respectively by enthusiasts.
The engine range has become rather too large to elaborate here. T4a were available with four- and five-cylinder engines, both petrol and diesel; the T4b saw not only the VR6, but also the five-cylinder TDI engines that since have replaced the traditional normally aspirated diesels.
T4 in US
The Eurovan, as the T4 generation was exported to North America from 1993 until 2003 (in the United States, the Eurovan was only sold in 1993, and again in 1999-2003, whereas it was not sold in Canada for 1997-98) only as a passenger version, except for those that were shipped to Winnebago Industries for conversion to either Campers, which were shipped to and sold by U.S. VW dealers, or to Rialtas, where were sold by Winnebago dealers directly. Smaller than a standard American delivery van, but larger than an American or Japanese passenger minivan, VW played up its size with the slogan, "EuroVan: There's nothing mini about it."
In the U.S., the models were:
The seven-seat Eurovan CL,GL, and GLS
The Eurovan MV, in which the second row of seats face the rear and are removable,
The third row converts into a bed, a folding table in the passenger area, window curtains, and a fluorescent lamp above table.
The Eurovan MV Weekender, an MV plus a Westfalia conversion that adds a pop-top roof, a second overhead bed, bug screens for side windows and rear hatch, utility battery, and standard refrigerator.
The Eurovan Camper, which is the long wheelbase commercial van converted by Winnebago Industries to include a pop-top roof, two two-person beds, seating for four (plus optional single or two-person center seats), a one cubic foot refrigerator that runs on propane, DC, or AC, a propane furnace, a closet, cabinets, sink with cold water and a gray water tank, a two-burner propane stove, two two-person dinette tables, coach battery, house lighting, and the two front bucket seats made to swivel around to face the dinette/kitchen area.
Engines
A 110 PS (108 hp/81 kW) 2.5 litre straight-5 petrol engine mounted in a MY 1995 European specification Volkswagen Caravelle T4.Petrol engines
T5 (2003-present)
2004 MultivansThe fifth generation of the VW Transporter hit the market in Europe late in 2003. It is a direct successor to the T4 in its looks and utility value, unlike the Microbus concept car that VW had been showing around several years prior to the T5's introduction. The Microbus concept was almost produced, but Volkswagen scuttled plans for building it due to cost problems.
The T5 Transporter is not available in the United States and Canada in any form. Instead, Volkswagen offers the Volkswagen Routan, a passenger minivan based on Chrysler LLC's Dodge Caravan. The T5 Transporter, however, is still sold under the Eurovan nameplate in Mexico.
The T5 is the fifth generation of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles medium sized commercial Transporter and people mover Caravelle/Multivan ranges which. It was launched in 2003 and replaced the fourth generation T4 Transporter series.
Seven Passenger MultivanTransporter
The Transporter is the commercial workhorse in the T5 range, available in many over 100 combinations such as short, medium or long wheelbases, low, medium or high roof lengths and it is available as a van, minibus, single or double cab dropside or chassis truck.
A brief view of the range:
T5 2007 High Roof VanDelivery van without side windows or rear seats (Panel Van)
Delivery van with raised roof (Highroof Panel Van; there's also a third roof height available with the T5, between the two traditional ones)
Van with side windows only in the front half of the cargo area, and only one row of removable rear seats (Half-panel)
Flatbed truck (Pick-up), also available with wider load bed
Flatbed truck with double cab and two rows of seats (Crewcab Pick-up, in German Doppelkabiene)
Cab Chassis (both single and crewcab), for Coachbuilders to build special bodies onto
Van with side windows and removable rear seats (Kombi, from German
Kombinationskraftwagen (combination vehicle), i.e. both a passenger and a cargo vehicle combined. Also available with heightened roof)
Shuttle 9 seater minibus
Taxi, Police, Fire and Ambulance fit outs are made by VW through Special Order although this option is not available in all markets
Apart from these factory variants, there are a multitude of third-party conversions available, some of which are offered through the VW dealer organization. They include refrigerated vans, ambulances, police vans, fire engines, ladder trucks, and so on.
The full cargo payload potential of the Transporter is between 800 kg to 1.4 tonnes and load compartment volumes range from 5.8 m³ to 9.3 m³.
In Mexico the T5 Transporter range is marketed under the Eurovan nameplate.
People Movers - Kombi to Multivan
The T5 is also available in 6 to 9 seater people movers called Shuttle, Kombi, Caravelle and Multivan.
The entry level people mover in the Transporter range is the Kombi. It is available with every engine in the T5 range and is available in all roof heights and wheelbases. It can seat four to nine people. The Kombi is equipped with very basic features such as rubber flooring, heater for driver's compartment, and side panel trim and headlining in the driver's compartment. Optional features include central locking, air conditioning for front and rear compartments, electrically controlled & heated mirrors, sliding windows, ESP, side and curtain airbags, cruise control, electric windows, sunroof, and an electric sliding door.
The Shuttle, the next level up, is only available in SWB and LWB with the full engine range but is limited to the normal roof height. The Shuttle is able to seat seven to nine passengers. Standard features are moulded trim, a second heater, sunblinds for the passenger compartment, and a sliding window on the left hand side only. Optional extras over the Kombi include carpeting and an Appearance Package which includes colour coded bumpers, double folding rear 3 seater bench seat, and a luggage compartment light.
T5 Caravelle with conventional Seat Adjustment SystemThe Caravelle includes most of the Kombi and Shuttle features already standard plus ESP, ABS, Acceleration Slip Regulator (ASR), passengers seat with adjustable lumber support, air conditioning, electrically adjustable & heated mirrors, armrests for front seat passenger and driver. Optional features include Automatic Tailgate Power Closing system, and CD stackers. The Caravelle is only available in SWB or LWB with a maximum of seven seats.
T5 Multivan with Rail SystemThe Multivan is the top of the line people mover based on the T5 platform. Available as a six or seven seater, it has a unique rail feature in which seats can slide forward and backward into any configuration. Accessories are available like tables and refrigerators which fit into the rails to be secured or movable if necessary. The Multivan has all safety features as standard such as ABS, ESP, ASR, and front, side and curtain airbags. The Multivan is sold under the Caravelle nameplate in the UK.
Volkswagen is planning a facelift to the current T5 during the first half of 2009 with new engines being introduced, including newly developed high efficiency Diesel engines. There are no plans as yet to replace the T5 with an all new T6 in the next few years.
California
Kombi Beach The T5 Kombi/Multivan Beach and California are Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles first inhouse designed and built motorhome range.
The Kombi Beach comes with just a fold-up bed, whereas the California is a fully equipped camper with beds, sinks, and fold up seat and tables.
T5 Engines
TDI
1.9L 4 cylinder TDI producing 62kW / 84 bhp @ 200Nm of torque.
1.9L 4 cylinder TDI producing 75kW / 102 bhp @ 250Nm of torque.
2.5L 5 cylinder TDI producing 96kW / 130 bhp @ 340Nm of torque.
2.5L 5 cylinder TDI producing 128kW / 174 bhp @ 400Nm of torque.
Petrol
2.0L 4 cylinder producing 85kW / 115 bhp @ 170Nm of torque.
3.2L 6 cylinder producing 173kW / 235bhp @ 315Nm of torque.
Awards
The T5 in 2008 was awarded a 4-star crash safety rating from the European New Car Assessment Program.
In the UK the popular commercial vehicle publication What Van ? awarded the T5 range the 2003 What Van? Van of the Year award.
Fleet Van Awards 2008 - Best Medium Van
Automotive TOTAL Excellium MPG Marathon 2008 - Best in Class
In 2004 the T5 range won the prestigious International Van of the Year which is voted by the top Editors & Journalists from fleet, van and truck publications.
In Australia the T5 has been awarded three awards from the Delivery Magazine publication:
Delivery Magazine's Medium Van of the Year for 2005.
Delivery Magazine's Medium Van of the Year for 2006.
Delivery Magazine's Cab Chassis of the Year for 2006.
Delivery Magazine's People Mover of the Year for 2009.
In the home market in Germany the T5 Series has won numerous awards by respected publications and votes by the public.
Lastauto Omnibus Van of the Year 2003
transaktuell Van of the Year 2003
Auto Motor und Sport - Multivan Best in Class 2005
Auto Motor und Sport - Multivan Best in Class 2007
Auto Motor und Sport - Multivan Best in Class 2008
Auto Zeitung - Auto Trophy for the Multivan in the 'Vans' Class 2006
Gallery
T5 TDI Van
T5 Single Cab in Prague
T5 Double Cab Chassis
T5 High Roof Panel Van with rear barn doors
T5 German Fire Van prepared by VW
T5 Multivan In France
