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

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Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Facelifted model.