Volkswagen Transporter (T5)

Last updated

Volkswagen Transporter (T5)
2004-2010 Volkswagen Multivan TDI van 01.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Also called
Production2003–2015
Assembly
Body and chassis
Class Light commercial vehicle (M)
Body style Van (cargo/passenger)
Pick-up
Minibus
Crew cab
chassis cab
Campervan
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel drive or four-wheel-drive
Platform Volkswagen Group T5 platform [4] [5]
Powertrain
Engine 2.0 L I4 (petrol)
3.2 L VR6 (petrol)
1.9 L I4 TDI (diesel)
2.0 L I4 TDI (diesel)
2.5 L I5 TDI (diesel)
Transmission 5-speed manual
6-speed manual
6-speed automatic
7-speed automatic (DSG) [nb 1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 3,000  mm (118.1  in)
3,400 mm (133.9 in)
Length4,892 mm (192.6 in)
5,290 mm (208.3 in)
5,292 mm (208.3 in) [nb 1]
Width1,904 mm (75.0 in)
1,959 mm (77.1 in)
Height1,935 mm (76.2 in)
1,990 mm (78.3 in) [nb 1]
2,176 mm (85.7 in) [nb 1]
2,476 mm (97.5 in) [nb 1]
1,949 mm (76.7 in) (double cab)
1,963 mm (77.3 in) (chassis cab)
Chronology
Predecessor Volkswagen Transporter (T4)
Successor Volkswagen Transporter (T6)
Transporter pre-facelift (2003-2010) VW T5 Transporter rear 20080811.jpg
Transporter pre-facelift (2003–2010)

The Volkswagen Transporter T5 range is the fifth generation of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV/VWN) 'Transporter' series of medium-sized light commercial vehicles and the people mover Caravelle/Multivan range. It was launched 6 October 2002, and went into full production on 25 April 2003, replacing the fourth generation T4 Transporter range. [6]

Contents

Key markets for the T5 range are Germany, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Russia, France, Turkey and Singapore. The T5 range was not sold in the United States and Canada due to poor sales of the T4-based Volkswagen EuroVan. In lieu of the T5, Volkswagen marketed the Canadian-built Routan, a minivan derived from the Chrysler RT platform.

Overview

The Transporter is the commercial workhorse in the T5 range, available in over 100 combinations. Variants include short- (SWB), or long-wheelbases (LWB); along with low-, medium-, or high-rooflines; and can be configured as a van, minibus, single-cab, double-cab, drop side or chassis truck.

Body types

A brief view of the Transporter T5 range:

Apart from these factory variants there are a multitude of third-party conversions available, some of which are offered through the VWCV/VWN dealer organisation. They include refrigerated vans, ambulances, police vans, fire engines, ladder trucks, campervans and so on.

The full cargo payload potential of the Transporter is between 750 kilograms (1,653  lb ) to 1.4  tonnes. Load compartment volumes range from 5.8 m3 (200 cu ft) to 9.3 m3 (330 cu ft).

In Mexico, the T5 range is marketed under the nameplate Transporter, same as Europe.

People movers

Interior (2003) Multivan Innen.jpg
Interior (2003)
Interior (2010) Volkswagen Transporter 2010MY (interior view).jpg
Interior (2010)

The T5 is also available in four- to eleven-seat configurations called Shuttle, Kombi, Caravelle, and Multivan.

Variants

Sportline

The Transporter Sportline is the range-topping trim level of the Transporter panel and Kombi van. It comes as standard with a 174  PS (128  kW ; 172  bhp ) Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine, generating torque of 400 newton-metres (295  lbf⋅ft ) at 2,000 rpm, and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

The vehicles have a wide range of options including an acoustic cabin option which makes the van feel more like a car.

Other standard features on the Sportline include 18-inch weight-rated alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers, door mirrors and handles. It features suspension which is lowered by 30 millimetres (1.2  in ) over standard variants, and has chrome side bars and grille, a roof spoiler, as well as a special Volkswagen badge.

The Sportline featured in an episode of Top Gear TV series; where Clarkson, Hammond and May had to choose three vans to compete in a series of challenges, including transporting equipment for The Who. Jeremy Clarkson claimed the Sportline to be "the fastest van in Britain".

This claim was put to the test by competitor TV programme Fifth Gear where the Sportline has been put head to head with The A-Team van, as well as the Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport-X. The Sportline comfortably won a race against the A-Team GMC van, even with Tiff Needell cutting corners and using short cuts in the vein of the television series. Against the Sport-X, even though the Mercedes had a more powerful engine, it was found that the traction control was too sensitive and overtly intrusive to be able to make quick progress around a track.

California campervan

The California and California (Kombi) Beach constitute the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles campervan range, designed and built in-house on the T5 platform.

The 'California' is a fully equipped camper with beds, sink, and fold-up seat and tables. The 'California Beach' is an entry-level model that comes with just a fold-up bed.

Facelift

2011 Volkswagen Multivan (7H MY11) Comfortline 2.0 BiTDI van (2015-08-07) 01.jpg
2011 Volkswagen Multivan (7H MY11) Comfortline 2.0 BiTDI van (2015-08-07) 02.jpg
Multivan facelift (2010–2015)

In September 2009, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles launched a revamped and facelifted T5 range, which is sold under four main labels the Transporter, Caravelle, Multivan and California.

The revised range showcases new technology dealers claimed it was their best earner. The medium van segment, which includes a world-first with the dual clutch transmission [8] named Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) – which is also available with 4motion four-wheel drive, Side Lane Assist [8] for monitoring blind spots when changing lanes, tyre pressure monitor display for monitoring tyre pressures (TPMS), [8] Bi-Xenon Head Lights with LED Daytime Running Lights and touchscreen Radio Navigation System (RNS) and a reversing camera that worked in conjunction with RNS. [8]

Engines powering the revised range are now all inline-four-cylinder designs; and all are 2.0 L in cubic capacity which includes one petrol option, and four newly developed high-efficiency Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel options, all with common rail, [8] replacing the former Pumpe Düse (PD) Unit Injector fuel system. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles claim that this new diesel engine range is twenty percent more efficient than the outgoing TDI range.

Edition 25 Multivan (2011)

It is a version commemorating 25th anniversary of Multivan, covering 2.0L petrol, 2.0L TSI (150 kW), 2.0L TSI 4MOTION (150 kW), 2.0L TDI (75 kW), 2.0L TDI (103 kW), 2.0L TDI 4MOTION (103 kW), 2.0L BiTDI (132 kW), 2.0L BiTDI 4MOTION (132 kW) models. [9] It was limited to 225 models worldwide and includes a matte black roof and black 18-inch alloy wheels, black door handles, matte black paint on the underside of the front bumper, black decal trim at the back and side sills; choice of Candy White, Salsa Red or Metallic Silver body colour; sport chassis and upgraded anti-roll bar. [10]

Engines

2.0L BiTDI engine for the Transporter Volkswagen Engine 2.0 BiTDI.jpg
2.0L BiTDI engine for the Transporter
Petrol engines 2003-2009
ModelCodeEngine typePowerTorque
2.0 AXA1,984 cc (121 cu in) I 4 N/A 116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp)170 N⋅m (125 lb⋅ft)
3.2 BDL

BKK

CFLA

3,189 cc (195 cu in) VR6 N/A235 PS (173 kW; 232 hp)315 N⋅m (232 lb⋅ft)
Diesel engines 2003-2009
ModelCodeEngine typePowerTorque
1.9 TDI PD AXC

BRR

1,896 cc (116 cu in) I4 turbo84 PS (62 kW; 83 hp)200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft)
1.9 TDI PD AXB

BRS

1,896 cc (116 cu in) I4 turbo102 PS (75 kW; 101 hp)250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft)
2.5 TDI PD AXD

BNZ

2,461 cc (150 cu in) I5 turbo131 PS (96 kW; 129 hp)340 N⋅m (251 lb⋅ft)
2.5 TDI PD AXE

BPC

2,461 cc (150 cu in) I5 turbo174 PS (128 kW; 172 hp)400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft)
Petrol engines 2010-
ModelCodeEngine typePowerTorque
2.0 AXA1,984 cc (121 cu in) I 4 N/A116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp)170 N⋅m (125 lb⋅ft)
2.0 TSI CJKB1,984 cc (121 cu in) I 4 turbo149 PS (110 kW; 147 hp)280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft)
2.0 TSI CJKA1,984 cc (121 cu in) I 4 turbo204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp)350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft)
Diesel engines 2010-
ModelCodeEngine typePowerTorque
2.0 TDI CR CAAA1,968 cc (120 cu in) I4 turbo84 PS (62 kW; 83 hp)220 N⋅m (162 lb⋅ft)
2.0 TDI CR CAAB1,968 cc (120 cu in) I4 turbo102 PS (75 kW; 101 hp)250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft)
2.0 TDI CR BlueMotion CAAD1,968 cc (120 cu in) I4 turbo114 PS (84 kW; 112 hp)250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft)
2.0 TDI CR CAAE

CCHB

1,968 cc (120 cu in) I4 turbo136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp)340 N⋅m (251 lb⋅ft)
2.0 TDI CR CAAC CCHA1,968 cc (120 cu in) I4 turbo140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp)340 N⋅m (251 lb⋅ft)
2.0 BitTDI CR CFCA1,968 cc (120 cu in) I4 Bi-turbo179 PS (132 kW; 177 hp)400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft)

Awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Type 2</span> Volkswagen panel van

The Volkswagen Type 2 is a forward control light commercial vehicle introduced in 1950 by the German automaker Volkswagen as its second car model. Known officially as the Transporter, Kombi or Microbus, or, informally, as the Volkswagen Station Wagon (US), Bus, Camper (UK) or Bulli (Germany), it was given the factory designation Type 2 as it followed – and was initially derived from – Volkswagen's first model, the Type 1 (Beetle).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Transporter (T4)</span> Fourth generation of the Volkswagen Transporter

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).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Campervan</span> Type of vehicle

A campervan, also referred to as a camper, caravanette, motorhome or RV in North America, is a self-propelled vehicle that provides both transport and sleeping accommodation. The term describes vans that have been fitted out, whereas a motorhome is one with a coachbuilt body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Touran</span> German automobile

The Volkswagen Touran is a car manufactured by German automaker Volkswagen since 2003 and sold in Europe and other select markets. A compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), it fills a gap in Volkswagen's model lineup between the Volkswagen Golf, with which it shares its platform, and the Volkswagen Sharan, its larger counterpart, which ceased production in 2022. The vehicle has been sold in Japan as the Golf Touran and the crossover-styled variant as the CrossTouran. The name 'Touran' is derived from the combination of 'Tour' and 'Sharan'. Despite the similarity of their names, the Touran is not related to the North American market Volkswagen Routan. The vehicle is delivered in five or seven seat versions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Caddy</span> Motor vehicle

The Volkswagen Caddy is a panel van and leisure activity vehicle (M-segment) produced by the German automaker Volkswagen Group since 1980. It is sold in Europe and in other markets around the world. The Volkswagen Caddy was first introduced in North America in 1980 and in Europe in 1982. The first and second generations also had pick-up variants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen LT</span> Light commercial panel van produced by Volkswagen

The Volkswagen LT is the largest light commercial panel van produced by Volkswagen from 1975 to 2006, before being replaced by the Crafter. Two generations were produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Type 2 (T3)</span> Third generation of the Volkswagen Transporter

The Volkswagen Type 2 (T3) was the third generation of the Volkswagen Transporter and was marketed under various nameplates worldwide – including the Transporter or Caravelle in Europe, T25 in the UK, Microbus and Kombi in South Africa/Brazil/Australia, Kampeerauto in Netherlands, Combi in France and Vanagon in North and South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles</span> German marque of light commercial vehicles owned by Volkswagen Group

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is a German marque of light commercial vehicles, owned by Volkswagen Group. It is headquartered in Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany. Originally part of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, it has operated as a separate marque since 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Crafter</span> Van manufactured by Volkswagen

The Volkswagen Crafter, introduced in 2006, is the largest three- to five-ton van produced and sold by the German automaker Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The Crafter officially replaced the Volkswagen Transporter LT that was launched in 1975, although it is known as the LT3, its production plant code.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BlueMotion</span> Certain Volkswagen car models

BlueMotion is a trading name for certain car models from the Volkswagen Group, emphasizing higher fuel efficiency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen California</span> 2003 model of campervan

The Volkswagen California is a campervan based on the mid-sized Transporter panel van, developed by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) and sold since 2003. It is the first campervan designed and built in-house by VWCV Special Business Unit, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Amarok</span> Pickup truck

The Volkswagen Amarok is a pickup truck produced by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles since 2010. It is a body-on-frame truck with double-wishbone suspension at the front and leaf springs at the rear. The Amarok range consists of single cab and double cab, combined with either rear-wheel drive or 4motion four-wheel-drive, and is powered by turbocharged petrol or turbocharged direct injection (TDI) diesel engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Passat (B5)</span> Motor vehicle

The B5 version of the Volkswagen Passat, based on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, was launched in 1997 in North America and Europe as well as during March 1998 in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Passat (B6)</span> Motor vehicle

The Volkswagen Passat is a front-engine D-segment large family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen from 2005 to 2011 (B6) and from 2010 to 2015. Respectively the six and seventh generation Passat, and internally designated B6 and B7, they were marketed in sedan and wagon bodystyles in front-wheel as well as all-wheel drive configurations, with a range of petrol and diesel engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Transporter</span> VW Transporter Bus

The Volkswagen Transporter, based on the Volkswagen Group's T platform, now in its seventh generation, refers to a series of vans produced for over 70 years and marketed worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Passat (B8)</span> Motor vehicle

The Volkswagen Passat (B8) is a mid-size car / large family car (D-segment) manufactured by Volkswagen that is available in a 4-door saloon and a 5-door estate body style sold as "Variant" in some markets. It was first introduced at the Volkswagen Design Center Potsdam on 3 July 2014. The B8 is the eighth-generation model in the Volkswagen Passat series and the first passenger vehicle of Volkswagen Group to be based on a stretched version of the MQB platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Škoda Kodiaq</span> Mid-size crossover produced by Škoda

The Škoda Kodiaq is a mid-size crossover SUV with optional three-row seating manufactured by the Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto since 2017. The vehicle sits in Škoda's D-SUV, above the Kamiq and Karoq. The vehicle is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform closely shared with the similarly-sized Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and the SEAT Tarraco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Transporter (T6)</span> Sixth generation of the Volkswagen Transporter

The Volkswagen Transporter T6 is the sixth generation of the Volkswagen Transporter vans. It is the successor to the T5 Transporter. The Transporter line is the mid-size van offered by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, between the larger Crafter and smaller Caddy.

Karmann Coachbuilt was a brand of recreational vehicle or camper manufactured by German company Karmann.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Multivan (T7)</span> Seventh generation of Volkswagen large van

The Volkswagen Multivan (T7) is seventh generation of the Volkswagen large van series. The Multivan is introduced as a large MPV riding on the front-wheel drive based MQB Evo platform which categorises vehicles such as the Audi A3 and the Volkswagen Caddy. The Multivan offers a range of petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid models. The T7 Multivan went on sale in Europe in 2022.

References

  1. "Locally Assembled VW LCVs Hit the Russian Market". 12 August 2009.
  2. "Volkswagen Begins Assembly of T5 Passenger and Commercial Vans in Indonesia". 30 January 2012.
  3. "VW to assemble T5 Transporter and Multivan in Indonesia". 1 February 2012.
  4. "Europe's slight rise & anticipated decline – Auto by the Numbers – car sales, production in Western Europe – Illustration – Statistical Data Included". Automotive Design & Production, October 2002 by Mark Fulthorpe / Gardner Publications, Inc. / Gale Group. CBS Interactive Business UK. 2002. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  5. "Im Fokus: Volkswagen – Kernkompetenz: Sparen" (PDF). Automobil-Produktion.de (in German). CSM Worldwide. March 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – Company – Chronicle – 2001-today > Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – Company – Chronicle > Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – Company > Volkswage". Volkswagen-commercial-vehicles.com. 5 August 2008. Archived from the original on 22 May 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  7. "Ümraniye Kombi Servisi". kombitamir.business.site.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Volkswagen (Commercial Vehicles) medium van is first with DCT". DCTfacts.com. The Lubrizol Corporation. 24 September 2009. Archived from the original on 12 October 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  9. "The Multivan Edition 25" (PDF). Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  10. "Volkswagen Multivan BlueMotion and Edition 25 premiere in Geneva". Worldcarfans.com. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  11. "Euro NCAP – For safer cars | Volkswagen T5". Euroncap.com. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  12. "High quality and residuals make the Transporter a double winner". Volkswagen-vans.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  13. "Transporter delivers winning economy at MPG Marathon". Volkswagen-vans.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  14. "Volkswagen Multivan Wins Best People Mover of the Year". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  15. "Volkswagen Transporter - 2009 Carsales Light Commercial Van People's Choice". Carsales.com.au. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  16. "Volkswagen AG Redirect Server".

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Facelifted model.