Volkswagen Transporter

VW bus or VW Transporter is the name of the factory internally VW Type 2 designated pickup truck, the second civilian Volkswagen after the VW Beetle ( VW type 1). He is also known as the Bulli. 1948, the first prototype was built and in 1950 began series production. It is now established as a 5th generation of T5, the previous hot T1, T2, T3 and T4, not to be confused with the series designation Type 2

The VW Transporter is available as a minibus, van and flatbed.

In 1992, the T4 and T5 for 2004 Van of the Year was chosen.

• 3.1 designs

• 4.1 designs

• 5.1 trim levels of T4 in Germany
• 5.2 T4 facelift and Great product upgrading ( 1996-2003 )
• 5.3 engine variants of the T4

• 6.1 engine variants of the T5 ( since 2009)
• 6.2 Multivan models and special equipment packages: Logos

History

The idea for the car is the Dutch importer Ben Pon senior VW attributed, who had seen the Volkswagen factory which used for internal transport traffic " plate car". For in-plant transport of goods discarded Beetle chassis attempt had been rebuilt and provided with simple wood panels as loading area.

The origin of the short form Bulli is often used in the composition of the words "bus" and " vans" suspected, but this is not true. The Volkswagen plant wrote the naming to the rounded ( beefy ) appearance of characteristic VW Bus Front. He had the nickname already in-plant, before the name " Bulli " was used in the public. VW could use that term to 2007, not officially used since the Kässbohrer held the rights to the word marks "Bully" and " Bulli ". On the occasion of the 60th anniversary However Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG has been willing to sell the " Bulli " naming rights to the VW group. The official " transfer " took place on the VW Bulli meeting on 6 October 2007 in Hannover.

T1 ( 1950-1967 )

VW T1 vans

Series production of the Volkswagen Type 2 T1 began in March 1950 at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg. Feature of the T1 is the front V- shaped tapering beads, the large VW emblem, and the split windscreen. Driver and passenger door had sliding windows with toggle latches and one narrow opening windows.

The technique of T1 was largely taken over from the VW Beetle: rear-wheel drive with air-cooled 4- cylinder boxer engine, which initially made ​​24 hp. The rear swing axle and the front double - crank arm axle were sprung by torsion bars, rear depending on a torsion bar ( rod ) left and right, front two " spring packs " of each other. The car had drum brakes front and rear. The the Beetle monocoque body was reinforced for the inclusion of more than 900 kg payload with transverse and longitudinal profiles. The steering wheel was flat and was larger than the Beetle.

Sales of the transporter evolved so successful that the production was moved on March 8, 1956 in the new VW plant in Hanover from the main plant in Wolfsburg.

• Flatbed with simple cabin (with normal or widened truck bed )
• Dropside truck with double cabin
• Van
• Minibus or combined with up to nine seats including the driver (13 windows including windows in the doors )
• Special bus model ( " Samba Bus" with 23, later 21 windows and sliding roof )
• Emergency vehicles, including ambulances ( with special bodies from other manufacturers )
• Sale van with high roof and side flap
• Camper with camping equipment (with scissors - up roof or later folding roof with inner tent and two extra places at the roof level )

T2 ( 1967-1979 )

VW Transporter T2

The evolution of the T1, T2 was introduced in 1967. That embarked on the previous concept was retained and the technique of suspension and body further improved. Like its predecessor, the T2 at the VW plant in Hanover was made. Of the approximately 2.5 million produced in Germany T2 over two-thirds were exported.

The new Transporter was next to a more comfortable cab with an undivided windscreen another steering gear, an improved rear suspension and a more powerful engine. The dashboard with glovebox was designed to be larger and with additional air vents. The side sliding door was standard.

From model year 1968 ( August 1967 ) all had T2 is a two- circuit brake system and from August 1970 disc brakes on the front axle. The following year came a stronger " flat engine " in addition to the program, which provided 66 hp from 1.7 liters capacity at first. With this engine, the transporter could be provided from 1972 with a three -speed automatic. With a strengthened chassis and 1.2 tons payload of the car from 1974 was available. From 1975 until the end of production in 1979 of T2 with the 1600 base engine and 50 hp and a 70 hp payable 2-liter flat engine was offered (the latter also available with three -speed automatic ).

Designs

• Van closed with 5 m3 cargo space and 4.1 m2 load floor (later also as a high space - van with 6.2 m3 and the same area, aW with 1.57 m high sliding door; Standard: 1,225 m)
• Combined with two additional windows per side with or without rear seat assemblies
• Minibus ( "VW -person transporter" ) with up to nine seats including the driver
• Flatbed with simple cabin and cargo area 4.3 m2 (2.7 × 1.57 m ), including 0.7 m3 loading space - 0.34 m high, 1.3 m wide and 1.6 m deep ( " vault " )
• Large-capacity wooden cot with 5.2 m2 wood cargo area of Westfalia (2.82 × 1.85 m) and " vault " as in flatbed
• Sechssitziger Dropside truck with double cabin and cargo area 2.9 m2 (1.85 × 1.57 m ), without the " vault ", with removed rear seat: 1.8 m3 cargo space and 1.4 m2
• Sonder-/Einsatzfahrzeuge including ambulance ( from other manufacturers with special bodies as dump trucks, refrigerated vans, freezer van, with tail lift, etc.)
• High space - selling car with tiltable large side door instead of sliding
• Camper with camping equipment (with pop-up roof and two extra places at the roof level )

T3 ( 1979-1992 )

VW T3 with water-cooled engine (extra grill above the bumper )

The successor of the T2, the T3 was introduced in 1979. With the considerably roomier and more angular bodywork, the rear-wheel drive concept of the predecessor has been retained, and the two air-cooled engine models were initially taken from the previous. The chassis and interior were completely redesigned. With the presented end of 1984 model " Syncro " a transporter with ( permanent ) all-wheel drive was available for the first time. Apart from this " Syncro " models, the Steyr Daimler Puch in Graz ( Austria ) was commissioned by VW, all T3 were produced at the VW plant in Hanover.

Also in the third generation of the Volkswagen Transporter held for reasons of cost to the longitudinally mounted rear engines fixed. The new T3 was significantly roomier; the wheelbase has been increased by 60 mm, what the car's length increased by about the same value. Beginning of 1981 was the first time a ( water-cooled ) diesel engine on offer; from the fall of 1982 exclusively water- cooled engines were also used for the petrol used. During the 1980s, the range was extended to exclusively equipped models like the Caravelle Carat, a turbo diesel engine and gasoline engines with fuel injection. Recently there was the German market Multivan -based vehicles with superior fittings as White Star (White) and Blue Star (light blue metallic ). In October 1990, the rear-wheel drive models have been replaced by VW T4 with a front engine and drive.

By the fall of 1992, government vehicles without four-wheel, and furthermore the complete program of the Syncro busses at the Steyr Daimler Puch AG (parallel to T4) produced in Austria in small numbers. For the final expiration of T3 VW brought out a final special edition of the Multivans as a limited edition of 2500 pieces " Limited Last Edition " ( LLE). In addition, there was a smaller number of special models RedStar (red) and Blue Star ( now in dark blue metallic ), but were only available for plant employees. In South Africa, the T3 was built after 1992 and as a Microbus Caravelle until the summer of 2003 on, but only sold as a right-hand drive and therefore only on the South African and Namibian market.

Designs

• Van closed (also called high space - van with sliding door high )
• Combined with two additional windows per side with or without rear seat assemblies
• Bus ( from 1983 Caravelle ) with up to nine seats including the driver
• Multivan (from 1985) with six seats, sofa bench, curtains and cooler
• Flatbed with simple cabin, under the flatbed cargo space ( " vault " )
• Large-capacity wooden cot with wooden load floor of Westfalia and " vault " as in flatbed
• Sechssitziger Dropside truck with double cabin and a small " vault "
• Sonder-/Einsatzfahrzeuge including ambulances and fire ( also from other manufacturers with special bodies as dump trucks, refrigerated vans, freezer van, with tail lift, etc.)
• High space - selling car with tiltable large side door instead of sliding
• Camper ( " Westfalia " ) with camping equipment (with pop-up roof and two extra places at the roof level )

T4 ( 1990-2003 )

With the introduction of T4 ( VW internal model designation: Type 7D) from August 1990 - a complete redesign - went to 34 years in the Volkswagen plant in Hanover, the era of rear-wheel drive and the rear engine over. The T4 was the first model of the VW Transporter, which was available with two different wheelbases and long bodies. The new drive concept with lying crosswise at the front line engine driving the front wheels had the particular advantage of a continuous load floor.

T4 emergency ambulance ( Austrian Red Cross )

T4 Caravelle

The chassis features independent suspension on the front axle there was a double wishbone arrangement with a torsion bar suspension. Back a semi-trailing arm axle was fitted with coil springs that allowed the deep cargo floor. As steering was a rack and pinion steering for use in vans with five-cylinder engines and Caravelle GL and Multivan with hydraulic assistance. From 1995, all T4 had standard power steering. The four-cylinder models were equipped with the launch later with a 14 " chassis. At the rear, came to the end of 1995 drum brakes are used. The brake system was, as usual, since the T2 equipped with a load-dependent brake force distribution to ensure even braking all wheels in all loading conditions. An automatic transmission was only available with five-cylinder engines and air conditioning only with engines from 2.0 liters of displacement.

In addition to the transporter as a truck, which was used primarily by companies and authorities, enjoyed especially the Multivan great popularity because it ( in the second row folding table, bed, single seats ) offered a lot of comfort for traveling with the practical interior, yet car-like dimensions had and was so handy in everyday life. In the United States was only this - called there with much better equipment than Eurovan - exported version.

The T4 was available with two different wheelbases ( 2920 mm and 3320 mm ), the Multivan with short wheelbase was available. The surcharge was initially $ 1000 for the long version.

In contrast to the previous models T2 and T3 with a rear engine lacked the flatbed of the " safe " under the floor. The small lockable storage space in a closed substructure between the engine and the cab was available in a smaller version also in the double cab of T3 and T4 was offered for some accessories suppliers for retrofitting.

The German army took advantage of this model from 1995 as a successor to the T3 platform and procured about 5610 vehicles.

Trim levels of T4 in Germany

The T4 was offered in the following variants:

• Transporter with superstructures in numerous designs ( cargo vans, with up to nine seats and simple interior design, platform and with flatbed with crew cab, cab chassis, etc.)
• Syncro was only available from 1993, since before even the T3 syncro was as producing. The all-wheel drive was available, but for all attachments and equipment variants and alternatively with differential locks only in conjunction with the five-cylinder engines. The T4 Syncros are all from Hanover and had the same chassis as the front-wheel drive ( with no lift kit ), making the cross-country mobility was lower than its predecessor.
• MPV Caravelle (additional abbreviations such as " C" or " CL" as in T3 accounted for ). Hardly be distinguished from the outside by the Transporter Kombi, but inside with high-quality full lining and padded sky, with a maximum of nine seats including the driver's seat. Rear wiper and rear head restraints from the outset series ( the Transporter Kombi later )
• MPV Caravelle GL as a highlight of the day: are body-colored bumpers, 15 "running gear and power steering for four-cylinder engines, Vollradkappen, heat insulation glazing, electric mirrors, velor seats and cloth face in the side panels just a few examples of the extensive standard equipment, which expanded over the model years was ( for example, tachometer ).
• Families and leisure mobile Multivan ( six-seater ) was externally to distinguish the comparatively meager basic model of the Transporter Kombi only by details such as the sliding bar ( black instead of blank) and Vollradkappen. Even the four-cylinder versions had here always power steering and 15 " chassis. Interior full lining with insulation and wooden floor with plastic coating in the passenger compartment, fabric Floor Front, rear bench seat with headrests can be folded down as a bed, front and center individual seats with armrests ( front passenger seat swivels ), einknöpfbare curtains for all windows, two sliding windows, passenger vanity mirror lights, second battery and a cooler were standard. the or, optionally, the middle two individual seats were up to 1999 model year fixed opposite to the direction of travel ( with fold-up seat ), then rotate. Simultaneously accounted integrated in the seat cooler.
• Families and leisure mobile Multivan Allstar or Classic. With model year 1993, the comparatively simple Multivan was supplemented by a seven-seater variant, exhibiting good for its time Features: Electric mirrors and front windows, tachometer, fog lamps, full fabric floor, central heat -insulating glass, 15 " alloy wheels, cassette radio with speakers in front and rear, and much more. were standard. the Allstar had outside a silver gray remote apron all around and light gray / light pink patterned seat covers. the choice of exterior colors were limited. the one year later subsequently Classic was timeless designed with einfärbiger paint including bumpers and seat covers as the Caravelle GL.
• California camper (Coach ) with pop-up roof, Compact roof or high roof nose as a simple camping mobile. Wheel hub caps rims silver. From the autumn of 1992 with the suffix coach, while the window was accounted left behind. 1994 appointed as a better special edition California Highway.
• California camper Exclusive from 1995 as a recreational vehicle with a fixed high roof as alcoves, always a long wheelbase and high-quality standard equipment.
• Motorhome Carthago Malibu with pop-up roof or high in different versions on short or long wheelbase.
• Kamei Clubvan, a vehicle that was built by Kamei in Wolfsburg based on the Caravelle. There are only about 100 copies. Typical of him are six individual seats, the two seats in the third row of seats are electronically adjustable armchairs and between them two folding tables are available. Until the introduction of the business, it was the most expensive vehicle by VW; it was mostly used as a conference car. From the outside of the front spoiler or on the side planking recognizable.
• Caravelle Business autumn of 1997 ( as an indirect successor to the version " Caravelle Carat " at T3) as a noble six seater with leather interior for the wealthy or business travelers who love the understatement. This vehicle was before the introduction of the VW Phaeton the most expensive car of the Volkswagen brand.

T4 facelift and Great product upgrading ( 1996-2003 )

The T4 learned at the end of 1995, a " Great product improvement ," (GP), a proper name of VW for facelift. For Multivan, Caravelle and California the front of the car body was strikingly increased by eight inches. The hitherto rectangular grille received at this upscale variants which at that time VW typical "Happy Face", while the headlights of the long front of the car were designed by a dynamic wedge- shaped taper and complemented with white instead of yellow flashing lights. VW wanted to visually lift the passenger versions of the transporter variants that retained unchanged the previous face up to the end of production. Like all T4 also got the simple transporter new, more elastic bumpers that by now two rear fog lamps are easily recognizable from the rear ( of which in Germany and in many other countries for legal reasons only the left is actually a light-emitting unit, respectively). The GP also included numerous technical changes. So all the wheels had a new wheel design and disc brakes now on the rear axles. All versions now had an exhaust system with twin tailpipes downward. In the interior, new switches kept on the dashboard collection, the dials, seat covers and interior panels were truly cleaned.

Simultaneously with the great product upgrading was first a TDI engine used a five-cylinder diesel engine with 2.5 l displacement, which already in 1990 in the Audi 100 with 88 kW (120 hp) debuted in T4 but at 75 kW ( 102 hp ) was throttled. With the introduction of the long front of the car was also the first time the installation of the 2.8 -liter VR6 engine with 103 kW or 140 PS - here again throttled towards the passenger version - possible. Both new engines were recognizable by TDI or VR6 lettering in the grille and at the rear, the VR6 had also always painted 16 "wheels and the grille slats in body color. Finally, in 1998 appeared the most powerful diesel engine, an uprated version of the TDI engine with 111 kW ( 150 hp), recognized externally from a red " I" in lettering, 16 " rims and only with long front end available. At the same time, a less powerful version of the TDI with 65 kW was ( 88 hp ) subsequently filed, then with a blue "I" in the logo. The 1.9 - liter four- cylinder turbo diesel, however, remained until the end of production, a conventional swirl chamber engine, recognizable at about the manual choke cable from the driving position. Also, the 2.4L five-cylinder naturally aspirated diesel engine was not converted to SDI technology, but remained slightly throttled to 75 hp and with oxidation catalyst provided in the program. The final new release in 2000 replaced a strengthened version of the VR6 engine with 150 kW or 204 hp the previous engine, characterized by a V6 with red lettering "6".

T4 GP, ambulance emergency vehicle, rear view

Engine variants of the T4

T5 ( since 2003)

VW T5 Multivan ( 2003-2009 )

The T5 is an evolved T4 and is produced as the fifth generation of the VW transporter since late summer 2003. Like the predecessor, the T5 over a transversely mounted front engine and front wheel drive. The joystick -like gear lever was moved into the control panel and operates the transmission via cables.

The T5 has a few technical improvements compared to its predecessor. All diesel engines now have a pump-nozzle injection and a turbocharger. The camshaft control of the five-cylinder diesel engines was changed from the susceptible belt on a spur gear. The five- and six-cylinder models are available with automatic transmission or four-wheel drive available, which is now called as the car models of Volkswagen 's 4motion. This held instead of the old Syncrotechnik with viscous coupling, the modern technology with 4Motion Haldex clutch collection. A subframe reduces engine and road noise ( decoupling of the front wheels from the passenger compartment ). However, this improvement comes at the expense of the comfort of the weight and fuel consumption. The T5 is being built in Hanover- sticks and in Poznań, Poland. When T5 California the base vehicle is removed ( from Hannover- sticks ) in Hanover- Limmer Motorhome.

The T5 is the first bus model, which is not exported to the United States. This meant that the demand for the most recently built T4 models increased in the United States.

The top of the Multivan series named Multivan Business. This vehicle is available from 120,000 euros and comes standard with bi-xenon headlights, navigation system, climate control, electric sliding door, single seats in full leather interior, entertainment system and various wood trims.

From September 2005 to July 2007, the Special Edition Sport model was delivered. This is based on the Multivan Highline model has standard 18-inch rims AZEV. In addition, the Sport Edition features Xenon headlights, special floor mats, emblems right under the outside mirrors and the rear, a silver inlay on the shift lever (only with front-wheel drive ) and a step lighting with lettering Sport Edition. Besides the known metallic colors (silver, black and gray ), there is the special edition pearl paint in the new color Samoarot. In the interior, especially the anthracite-colored leather seating falls on whose center is kept in the shade of grenadine. You can choose from six individual seats or 3-seater bench and two single seats. On the motor side are the five-cylinder TDI with 96 kW and 128 as well as the V6 petrol engine with 173 kW for election (as 4motion only with manual transmission ).

Since the Multivan by more and more comfort features has been steadily more expensive - the starting price now stands at more than 30,000 euros - and VW is therefore in the lower price segment of MPVs lost more and more market share, cheaper entry-level models ( Multivan Beach and Multivan Start Line) are available with a reduced scope of equipment ( unpainted bumpers, steel wheels, no air conditioning, simple control panel, etc.).

Since the end of 2006, the diesel versions of the T5 is also available with a diesel particulate filter. Since mid-2007, VW offers the Multivan with extended 3400 mm wheelbase. The length of the vehicle growing by up to 5292 mm ( flatbed up to 5476 mm).

In the autumn of 2009 revised the VW T5. Were changed besides the headlights, front and rear and the front grille, the rear view mirror and the interior. For diesel engines a new 2.0 -liter four-cylinder engine block is used, which is available in different power ratings from 62 kW to 132 kW and is charged with a turbo or twin turbo. All have a diesel particulate filter and comply with the EU 5 emission standard. The gasoline engine with 85 kW remains unchanged. In addition, Volkswagen offers the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0 - liter petrol engine (TSI ) will replace the current 3.2-liter V6. First time, a 7- speed dual- clutch transmission will be offered. The starting price is 28577.85 Euros for a transporter. The price has not changed much compared to the time before the facelift.

A T5 of the Bundeswehr

T5 panel van and minibus

Ambulance emergency vehicle of the Berlin Fire Department

Emergency ambulance ASB Graz with high roof

T5 double cab with flatbed

With special structure as a garbage collector in Prague

Minibus based on the T5 built by Kutsenits

RV based on the T5

Engine variants of the T5 ( since 2009)

Multivan models and special equipment packages: Logos

2011 was offered on the basis of the special model T5 Transporter Rockton. For special features include 16-inch balloon tires and a raised by 30 millimeters suspension and all-wheel drive. Thus, the T5 will be off-road capable. Rockton is powered by a 2-liter TDI engine with 103 or 132 kW ( 140/180 PS). In the basic version, it costs around 34,500 Euros ( plus tax).

VW T5 Multivan Beach

VW T5 Multivan Cruise

VW T5 Multivan Start Line

VW T5 Multivan California Sonora

Film appearances

The VW bus had - like the Beetle - various film and television appearances, though not in the main roles, yet in " supporting " roles. In addition, the bus appeared in several advertising posters and clips. A selection are:

• T1 in Alice 's Restaurant, football duel, Cars, Across The Universe and Mythbusters.
• T2 in Popular Music from Vittula, Jackie Brown, Little Miss Sunshine, Lost and Back to the Future
• T3 in The Edukators, Come, Sweet Death, Best Time, Dredd, regret nothing, Magnum, Tornado - The wrath of heaven, flesh, Night of the Living Dorks and Lammbock - Everything in handmade

Famous VW bus driver

• Gerhard Schröder
• Walter Röhrl
• Rainer Offergeld ran from 1976 to 1977 as a T2b SPD election campaign vehicle

Related models of VW

Just as the New Beetle 1994 VW 2004 VW Microbus developed in retro design reminiscent of the T1-/T2-Familie the 1950s and 1960s. The planned series production was however postponed. The prototype was shown at various auto shows.

For commercial vehicles, the model range by the VW LT (1975-2006) and his successor VW Crafter was supplemented ( since 2006).

The VW Fridolin was a cross from the beetles and its offshoots VW Karmann Ghia, VW Type 3, and VW T1.

One of the VW Group further flatbed was the very simple Hormiga, which was produced in the 1970s for developing countries.

In March 2011, VW revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, the study " Bulli ". This Micro- Van will be produced as standard from 2015.