Volkswagen LT
The VW LT is a small van, Volkswagen AG (until 1985: Volkswagenwerk AG ), which was produced from 1975 to 2006 in two generations. The second generation from 1996 is almost identical to the Mercedes -Benz Sprinter. The successor to the LT series from 2006 called Crafter and is again a co-production with Mercedes -Benz.
The type designation of LT, which is the abbreviation for loads transporter is supplemented by a two-digit number representing the gross vehicle weight. So LT is 28 for a gross weight of 2.8 tonnes or LT 35 for 3.5 t gross vehicle weight.
The LT series covers the Transporter range from 2.8 t to 5.6 t.
- 3.1 engines
- 3.2 versions
- 3.3 Suspension
- 3.4 engines
LT - Generation 1
In the mid- 1960s it became clear that the VW Transporter was unable to meet the future requirements of payload and cargo volume. Also, the realization dawned that the concept of air-cooled rear engines would lead sooner or later to a dead end. In the early 1970s, Volkswagen sought a cooperation with Daimler -Benz AG to build a common utility vehicle, but did not materialize. The LT of the first generation was introduced in 1975 and made by its excellent ratio of floor space to the circulation areas as well as the very good driving behavior for attention. Through the front handlebar design of the driver sits over the front axle, the engine is longitudinally positioned between the driver and passenger.
Motors
With the introduction of two water-cooled four-cylinder engines were available, a carb -fed gasoline engine with 2.0 liter displacement and 55 kW (75 PS), who was descended from the Audi 100 and also in uprated version as injection engine with 92 kW (125 hp) in the Porsche 924 use found. The offer also found a 2.7 -liter diesel engine of the British manufacturer Perkins engines with an output of 48 kW ( 65 hp ), which, however, in terms of performance and refinement was not convincing and logically developed in-house made necessary. Thus already the first straight-six diesel engine with 2.4 liters of displacement came in 1979 is used, which contributed 55 kW (75 hp). On this engine and the Swedish car manufacturer Volvo was carefully and used it with an increased power output of 63 kW ( 85PS ), in the Volvo D6 240, the first car with a six-cylinder diesel engine. Later followed other model series. The desire for more engine power could correspond Volkswagen from 1983, when two turbo-diesel variants of the 2.4-liter six-cylinder engine was offered. They did an 66 kW (90 hp) and 75 kW (102 hp). Camshaft and coolant pump are driven the six-cylinder via a toothed belt. The diesel has, in addition to the drive of the distributor injection pump has a small toothed belt on the rear side of the cylinder head. In this train, the engine was moved about 10 cm to the rear and more inclined, so that it was possible to mount on the passenger side of a dual seat. The diesel versions have now been fitted with a Kaltstartbeschleunigerzug. Upon actuation of the start of delivery of the injection pump according to is "early" adjusted, thus facilitating starting and reduces the tendency to blue smoke. 1983 accounted for the 2.0 -liter four- cylinder in-line petrol engine (standing, high engine cover plate) and it was a six- cylinder in-line petrol engine ( inclined to the right, flat engine cover made of plastic) with 2.4 liter displacement and carburetor introduced and a power of 66 kW (90 hp). In the course of catalyst introduction (catalyst according to U.S. standard ) was adjusted a Digifant fuel injection system on the engine, with the 2.4-liter petrol engine developed now 69 kW (94 hp). Both six-cylinder engines are structurally extended by two cylinder versions of the Volkswagen 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine ( an offshoot of the EA 827 ), but it was " anticipated " by toothed belt as in the later versions of the EA 827 the water pump drive. In the year 1993 with the facelift used again revised diesel engines, including with charge air cooling and 70 kW (95 hp).
Versions
When LT two wheelbases (2500 mm and 2950 mm ) and two roof heights were available at launch, as a camper, there was the LT as a special model, such as Westfalia Sven Hedin / VW Florida, which offered two additional sleeping places with the special high roof. The second high-volume mobile home on LT was the alcove expansion of Karmann Mobil ( last marketed as Distance Wide). Later, an extended version of the trailer came with 3650 mm to. The LT was available both as a combination of up to 14 seats, as a panel van, as a camper and as a platform or chassis with single cab and double cab. The cab of the LT was also used for the G series from MAN. In 1992, another facelift with a new grille, revised bumpers and plastic bezel around the rectangular headlights.
Landing gear
The LT had an independent front suspension with double wishbones and coil springs at launch. With the large width of the vehicle resulted in an excellent ride for a light truck. This front was maintained until the end of the LT 28, LT 31 and LT 35 models. To meet customer demands for higher payload, a rigid front axle was offered with two longitudinal leaf springs for the LT 35 as an option from 1979 onwards. Simultaneously, the LT 40 and LT models were introduced in 45, in which these front axle was used as standard, as were also found in the later introduced LT 50 and LT 55 At the front disk brakes, used on the rear axle drum brakes. The brakes were hydraulically operated with two circles and provided with a brake booster. As steering gear known from the type 2 recirculating ball steering was used, at the beginning still without power. This was introduced with the first major facelift in 1983. The rear axle is a rigid axle with two longitudinally arranged leaf springs and one-pipe shock absorbers. In addition, there is the load- sensing valve which regulates the braking pressure to the rear axle depending on the loading condition. The final drive could be delivered in different ratios. The LT 28, LT 31 and LT 35 series were provided on the rear axle with single tires. From version LT 40 and LT 35 than for the more facilities a twin tires was provided. The standard versions were equipped with 14-inch wheels.
All-wheel drive (LT 4 × 4)
A series of forms of LT 4 × 4, which came up with good driving characteristics in the field. The standard manual was followed by a untersetzbares transfer case, which transferred the power of the engine in a 1:1 ratio to the rear and the shiftable front axle. When driving with the reduction of the transfer case and optionally locked differentials managed the equipped with engines from 75 hp to 109 hp LT slopes of 45 °. The LT 4 × 4 gave it as LT 40 and LT 45 in all versions, which were also available for the 4x2, but only with the middle wheelbase ( 2950 mm). The precursor for the VW LT 4 × 4 formed thereby developed by Sülzer vehicle from Augsburg Sülzer LT 4 × 4 In addition, a vehicle was built on LT- base with the name Noric at Steyr Daimler Puch in Austria, which did not go into production.
The Graz Noric on a VW platform.
LT 45 4x4 as a troop carrier
Facelifts
1986, the round headlights were replaced by rectangular and made other minor cosmetic changes. In the spring of 1993 there was again a moderate change. Since then, the front elements were enclosed by gray plastic mounts.
Facelift 1993
MAN -VW trucks G90
Based on the first generation of the LT of the G90 was developed in cooperation with MAN. The model first appeared in 1979 with gross vehicle weights of 6-9 t, 10 t from 1981 also, the choice was between two engines with 66 kW ( 90 hp ) and 100 kW (136 hp). Engines, chassis and front axles steered at MAN, while the derivative of the first generation of the LT cab, gearbox and rear axle of VW came. The front of the vehicles were adorned with the logos of both companies. The only major revision took place in 1987, the engine power increased to 74 kW ( 100 hp ) or 110 kW ( 150 hp), the previously round headlights next to the grille have been replaced by square in the bumper. The G90 was also built by Volkswagen Trucks and Buses in Brazil under other names for the South American market. In North America, Kenworth marketed the model as a Kenworth K300. 1993 ended the production of the VW and MAN models in Europe without a successor. In South America, production ended in 1994 and 1995 followed the VW L80 which modernized to today as VW Delivery and the derived VW worker is produced.
G90 ( after facelift, 1987-1993 )
LT - Generation 2
The second generation of the LT was released in 1996 and was with the Mercedes -Benz Sprinter identical. It was jointly developed from scratch by Mercedes -Benz and Volkswagen ( Euro chassis ). The LT were completely manufactured at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Hanover plant, the sprinters at Daimler -Benz in Dusseldorf. When the body arrived in deviation from the previous frictionally bonded front and rear windows, as well as water-based paints are used. As an extra option, a mechanical differential lock, air conditioning, auxiliary air heater and driver and passenger airbags could be ordered.
Motors
Standard was a five-cylinder diesel engine with a displacement of 2.5 liters and electronically controlled distributor injection pump without charging, which was referred to as SDI. He made 55 kW (75 hp). Other variants were the turbo diesel engines with direct injection TDI and a power range of 61 kW ( 83 hp) to 80 kW (109 hp). In addition, there was a four-cylinder turbo diesel engine with 2.8 liters, which by the company. Motores MWM Brasil was delivered to VW and 92 kW ( 125 hp ) made (later 131 hp). This was provided from 2002 with a modern common -rail fuel injection and won by running smoothness and engine power (116 kW or 158 hp). In support of the engine cooling fan with a viscous coupling was used. Since the launch there was also a 2.3 - liter petrol engine from Mercedes -Benz (type M 111 E 23) with 105 kW ( 143 hp ), which, however, was virtually unsaleable and thus accounted for later. This variant was combined as only one with an automatic transmission. The engines were mounted longitudinally, and issued a force over a single-plate dry clutch on a synchronized five-speed gearbox.
Versions
There was the LT2 with three different wheelbases (3000 mm, 3550 mm and 4025 mm ) and two different roof heights. The longest wheelbase is easily recognizable by the yellow side marker lights. Construction variants were box, station wagon, flatbed or chassis with cab or double cab. Volkswagen also offered a motorhome based on the LT2, in collaboration with Karmann Mobil ( Rheine or later Sprendlingen ), under the name of Missouri.
Landing gear
The chassis had for reducing the turning circle at the front a transverse leaf spring and two mono-tube shock absorbers, rear, there were two longitudinally mounted leaf springs. Engine and transmission transferred the power to the rear axle, which was provided from the LT 46 with twin wheels. This was available as an optional extra at LT 35. The steering rack was fitted in all variants with power assistance. The brake system was fitted to the front and rear axle with disc brakes, which were front and from LT 46 also vented back. The parking brake acted on the rear wheels and consisted of a small, integrated into the rear brake drum brake. According to the application task, there was a wide variety of final drive ratios. A four-wheel drive was, unlike its predecessor, no longer offered.
Motors
LT - Generation 3 - Crafter
The third generation, called from now on no longer LT, Crafter but is almost identical to the Mercedes -Benz Sprinter. It differs mainly by the massive grille significantly from its predecessor. The drive serve five-cylinder diesel engines with common -rail injection system, turbocharger and particulate filter. The Crafter is built in the Mercedes- Benz plants Dusseldorf and Ludwigsfelde together with the Sprinter.