Volkswagen Eurovan
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The Volkswagen Eurovan (US, Brazil and Mexico) or Transporter (UK, Ireland, Australia, and North Europe) 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.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] T4 (1990-2003)
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. Transversally 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. However, the commercial variants, 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.
[edit] T4 in US
The Eurovan, as the T4 generation was called in the United States, was available in Europe in many versions both for personal and commercial use. From 1990 until 2003 only the passenger versions were exported to the U.S., 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." the van has 103bhp and does 0-60 in about 15 seconds.
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.
[edit] Engines
[edit] Petrol engines
| Model | Engine code | Engine type | Displacement | Max output | Max torque | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 | PD | Straight-4 SOHC 8V | 1.781 cm³ | 67 PS (66 hp/49 kW) at 4000 rpm | 140 N·m (103 ft·lbf) at 2200 rpm | 1990-1992 |
| 2.0 | AAC | Straight-4 SOHC 8V | 1.968 cm³ | 84 PS (83 hp/62 kW) at 4300 rpm | 159 N·m (117 ft·lbf) at 2200 rpm | 1990-2003 |
| 2.5 | AAF; ACU | Straight-5 SOHC 10V | 2.461 cm³ | 110 PS (108 hp/81 kW) at 4500 rpm | 190 N·m (140 ft·lbf) at 2200 rpm | 1990-1997 |
| 2.5 | AET; APL; AVT | Straight-5 SOHC 10V | 2.461 cm³ | 115 PS (113 hp/85 kW) at 4500 rpm | 200 N·m (148 ft·lbf) at 2200 rpm | 1997-2003 |
| 2.8 VR6 | AES | VR6 SOHC 12V | 2.792 cm³ | 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW) at 4500 rpm | 240 N·m (177 ft·lbf) at 3000 rpm | 1996-2000 |
| 2.8 VR6 | AMV | VR6 DOHC 24V | 2.792 cm³ | 204 PS (201 hp/150 kW) at 6200 rpm | 245 N·m (181 ft·lbf) at 2500 rpm | 2000-2003 |
[edit] Diesel engines
[edit] Indirect injection
| Model | Engine code | Engine type | Displacement | Max output | Max torque | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 D | 1X | Straight-4 SOHC 8V | 1.896 cm³ | 61 PS (60 hp/45 kW) at 3700 rpm | 127 N·m (94 ft·lbf) at 1700 rpm | 1990-1995 |
| 1.9 TD | ABL | Straight-4 SOHC 8V | 1.896 cm³ | 68 PS (67 hp/50 kW) at 3700 rpm | 140 N·m (103 ft·lbf) at 2000 rpm | 1993-2003 |
| 2.4 D | AJA | Straight-5 SOHC 10V | 2.370 cm³ | 75 PS (74 hp/55 kW) at 3700 rpm | 160 N·m (118 ft·lbf) at 1900 rpm | 1997-2003 |
| 2.4 D | AAB | Straight-5 SOHC 10V | 2.370 cm³ | 78 PS (77 hp/57 kW) at 3700 rpm | 164 N·m (121 ft·lbf) at 1800 rpm | 1990-1998 |
[edit] Turbocharged Direct Injection
| Model | Engine code | Engine type | Displacement | Max output | Max torque | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 TDI | AJT; AYY | Straight-5 SOHC 10V | 2.461 cm³ | 88 PS (87 hp/65 kW) at 4500 rpm | 195 N·m (144 ft·lbf) at 2000 rpm | 1998-2003 |
| 2.5 TDI | ACV; AUF; AYC; AXL | Straight-5 SOHC 10V | 2.461 cm³ | 102 PS (101 hp/75 kW) at 3500 rpm | 250 N·m (184 ft·lbf) at 1900 rpm | 1995-2003 |
| 2.5 TDI | AHY; AXG | Straight-5 SOHC 10V | 2.461 cm³ | 151 PS (149 hp/111 kW) at 4000 rpm | 295 N·m (218 ft·lbf) at 1900 rpm | 1998-2003 |
[edit] T5 (2003- )
The 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 North America in any form. Instead, Volkswagen offers the Volkswagen Routan, a passenger minivan based on Chrysler LLC's Dodge Caravan.
[edit] Transporter (commercial)
The commercial range is rather more substantial, and is also much more important in the European marketplace. It includes most notably:
- delivery 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 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)
- 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)
- flatbed truck with lowered load bed
- naked chassis with cab (both single and crewcab), for coachbuilders to build special bodies onto
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.
[edit] People movers and campers
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.
The Caravelle includes most of the Kombi and Shuttle features already standard plus ESP, ABS, Anti Slip Regulation (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 seven to nine seats.
The 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.
The Kombi/Multivan Beach and California are the camping versions of the new T5 range (T4 California only). 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.
[edit] Awards
- International Van of the Year 2004
- Delivery Magazine's Medium Van of the Year 2005 (Australian)
- Delivery Magazine's Medium Van of the Year 2006 (Australian)
- Delivery Magazine's Cab Chassis of the Year 2006 (Australian)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
official sites
- VW UK's Transporter Website
- VW UK's Caravelle Website
- VW Australia's Transporter Website
- VW Australia's Kombi Website
- VW Australia's Multivan Website
- VW Australia's Kombi Beach Website
- VW Australia's California Website
unaffiliated independent sites
- VWT4 Forum - the UK's biggest T4 community
- Brick-Yard UK - Multivan & Transporter Forums
- VWvortex Vans & Transporter Forums
- Australian VW Vans & 4WD Forum
- Westfalia.org - owners website Community for Westfalia owners and enthusiasts. The site's Message Boards are a great knowledge base of Westfalia information.
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| Type | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| Car-derived Van | Caddy 14 | Caddy 9U / 9K | Caddy 2K | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pickup truck | Taro | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| campervan | Westfalia California | California (T5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Panel van derivatives | Transporter Type 2 - (T1) Splittie | Transporter Type 2 - (T2) Bay | Transporter/Caravelle Type 2 (T3/T25) | Transporter/Caravelle/Multivan (T4) | Transporter/Caravelle/Multivan (T5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LT (1st generation) | LT (2nd generation) | Crafter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Concept and future models: Microbus Concept • Robust Pick Up | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Founder: German Auto Association • Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles corporate website • A marque of the VWAG group | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| Subcompact | Fox / Fox wagon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact | Rabbit I | Golf II | Golf III | Golf IV | Rabbit V | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jetta I | Jetta II | Jetta III | Jetta IV | Jetta V | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dasher | New Beetle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size | Quantum | Passat III | Passat IV | Passat V | Passat VI | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full-size | Phaeton | Phaeton | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coupé | Scirocco I | Scirocco II | Corrado | Scirocco III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passat CC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible | Rabbit Convertible | Cabriolet | Cabrio | Eos | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Beetle Convertible | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Van | Vanagon (Type 2 - T3) | Eurovan (T4) | Routan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pickup | Rabbit LX | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact SUV | Tiguan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Luxury SUV | Touareg | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Founder: German Auto Association • Volkswagen corporate website • A marque of the VWAG group • Das Auto • Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. • VolkswagenGroupAmerica corporate website • Electronics Research Laboratory | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
