Volkswagen Transporter (T4)

manufacturer

Volkswagen (1990–1995) Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (1995–2004)

aka

Volkswagen EuroVan (North America) Volkswagen Caravelle Volkswagen Vanagon (Japan)

production

1990–2004

assembly

Germany: Hanover Poland: Poznań Indonesia: Jakarta (National Assemblers) Taiwan: Taoyuan Malaysia: Shah Alam Philippines: Alaminos‡R1R‡

predecessor

Volkswagen Type 2 (T3)

successor

Volkswagen Transporter (T5) Volkswagen Routan (U.S. & Canada)

class

Light commercial vehicle (M)

body style

4-door van 5-door van 6-door van 2-door pickup platform 3-door pickup platform 4-door pickup platform 4-door campervan

layout

Front engine, front-wheel drive or four-wheel-drive

platform

Volkswagen Group T4 platform

transmission

5-speed manual 4-speed 01P automatic

wheelbase

2920 mm (swb) 3320 mm (lwb)

length

4707 mm (swb) 5107 mm (lwb)

width

1840 mm

height

1940 mm (normal roof) 2430 mm (high roof)

The Volkswagen Transporter (T4), marketed in North America as the Volkswagen EuroVan, is a van produced by the German manufacturer Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles between 1990 and 2004, succeeding the Volkswagen Type 2 (T3) and superseded by the Volkswagen Transporter (T5).

History

Introduced in 1990, the T4 was the first Volkswagen van to have a front-mounted, water-cooled engine. Prompted by the success of similar moves with their passenger cars, Volkswagen had toyed with the idea of replacing their air-cooled, rear-engined T2 vans with a front-engined, water-cooled design in the late 1970s. The reasons for deciding in 1980 to instead introduce a new rear-engined T3 are unclear. Thus, the introduction of a front-engined layout was delayed until the arrival of the T4. After a run of nearly 14 years, T4 production ceased in 2003, making it second only to the T1 for length of production in its home market.

Chassis

Part of the success of the T4 was its versatility. It was available in many forms and sizes as standard and formed the basis of many specialist vehicles, from buses to campervans to ambulances.

T4 in North America (EuroVan)

Volkswagen marketed the European manufactured Transporter T4 from 1992-2003 as the EuroVan, beginning with the short wheelbase EuroVan 5-cylinder passenger models (CL, GL, GLS, and MV) marketed for model year 1993. Smaller than a standard American delivery van, but larger than an American or Japanese passenger minivan, Volkswagen used the tagline "EuroVan: There's nothing mini about it". Sales continued in Canada and Mexico after 2003, and reintroduced EuroVan passenger models in the United States for model year 1999 with a VR6 engine as standard, discontinuing the T4 worldwide after 2003. The manual gearbox was not offered in North America with the VR6 engine.

Volkswagen imported the short wheelbase EuroVan 5-cylinder petrol engine passenger models (CL, GL, GLS, MV Weekender and Westfalia Camperised) to Canada from 1991 to 1996. The 77 hp 2.4 litre diesel engine was optional in Canada between 1993 and 1996. The long wheelbase version was also on offer in 1992 only as a 10 seaters CL or GL model trim. Kombi and crewcab pickup versions (sold as Transporter) were also available in 1992. A panel version (LWB only) was sold from 1993 to 1997.

The EuroVan Camper by Winnebago was introduced to the United States and Canada in 1995 with the five-cylinder engine, and upgraded to the VR6 for the 1997-2003 models. These were only available on the longer 3320 mm wheelbase T4. These small pop top camper vans are unique in North America and have developed a cult following.

Winnebago also marketed three small Class C motorhomes with the forward cab of the T4/EuroVan called the Rialta, Vista, and Sunstar (Itasca branded). The Rialta was available in 1995-1996 with the five-cylinder engine, in 1997-2001 with the AES version of the VR6, and in 2002-2005 with the AXK engine. The Vista and Sunstar were only produced in 2002-2004, all using the AXK engine.

In the United States, 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, full set of curtains, auxiliary battery, fluorescent interior lights and under seat thermoelectric cooler.

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 seats in the middle), a one cubic foot refrigerator that runs on propane, DC, or AC, a propane furnace, a closet, cabinets, sink with cold water and a grey 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. The 2000 EVC is 17 ft long.

Volkswagen Transporter (T4)

History

Chassis

Wheelbase

Body types

Van

Pickup

Van

Pickup

Roofs

Doors

Long and short-nose

Four Wheel Drive (Syncro)

Campervans

Engines

Petrol engines

Diesel engines

Enthusiasts' groups

T4 in North America (EuroVan)

See also

External links

References