Volkswagen Transporter (T5)

Volkswagen Transporter (T5)

2009 Volkswagen Transporter facelift
Overview
Manufacturer Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Also called Volkswagen Caravelle
Volkswagen Multivan
Production 2003–2015
Assembly Hanover, Germany
Poznań, Poland[1]
Kaluga, Russia (Multivan)
Body and chassis
Class Light commercial vehicle (M)
Body style Van (cargo/passenger)
Pick-up
Minibus
Crew cab
chassis cab
Campervan
Layout Transverse front engine, front-wheel drive or four-wheel-drive
Platform Volkswagen Group T5 platform[2][3]
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 semi-automatic (DSG)[nb 1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 3,000 mm (118.1 in)
3,400 mm (133.9 in)
Length 4,892 mm (192.6 in)
5,290 mm (208.3 in)
5,292 mm (208.3 in)[nb 1]
Width 1,904 mm (75.0 in)
1,959 mm (77.1 in)
Height 1,935 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)
Multivan T5 pre-facelift (2003–2010)
Multivan T5 facelift (2010–2015)

The Volkswagen Transporter T5 range is the fifth generation of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV/VWN) medium-sized light commercial vehicle and 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.[4]

Key markets for the T5 range are Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Turkey and Singapore. The U.S. market does not receive the Transporter T5 range due to it being classed as a light truck, which thereby automatically includes a 25% extra tax (known as the chicken tax) on importation into the US. The passenger vans were the worst selling vans in the North American market in 2003, when VW North America sold the last Eurovans in the United States.[5] For the United States and Canada, it was replaced by the Chrysler-built Volkswagen Routan; it continues to be sold in Mexico.

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 and so on.

The full cargo payload potential of the Transporter is between 800 kilograms (1,764 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

The T5 is also available in six- 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 make the van feel more like a car. Air conditioning with climate control, although dealers do not seem to change the pollen filters without prompting.

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

Main article: Volkswagen California

The California (Kombi) Beach and California are Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles T5-based in-house designed and built motorhome range.

The range compiling of the entry California Beach comes with just a fold-up bed, whereas the California is a fully equipped camper with beds, sink, and fold-up seat and tables.

Facelift

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[6] named Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) – which is also available with 4motion four-wheel drive, Side Lane Assist[6] for monitoring blind spots when changing lanes, tyre pressure monitor display for monitoring tyre pressures (TMPS),[6] 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.[6]

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,[6] 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.[7] It 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. [8]

Engines

2.0L BiTDI engine for the Transporter
Petrol engines 2003-2009
Model Engine type Power Torque
2.01,984 cc (121 cu in) I4 N/A116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp)170 N·m (125 lb·ft)
3.23,189 cc (195 cu in) VR6 N/A235 PS (173 kW; 232 hp)315 N·m (232 lb·ft)
Diesel engines 2003-2009
Model Engine type Power Torque
1.9 TDI PD1,896 cc (116 cu in) I4 turbo 84 PS (62 kW; 83 hp)200 N·m (148 lb·ft)
1.9 TDI PD1,896 cc (116 cu in) I4 turbo102 PS (75 kW; 101 hp)250 N·m (184 lb·ft)
2.5 TDI PD2,461 cc (150 cu in) I5 turbo131 PS (96 kW; 129 hp)340 N·m (251 lb·ft)
2.5 TDI PD2,461 cc (150 cu in) I5 turbo174 PS (128 kW; 172 hp)400 N·m (295 lb·ft)
Petrol engines 2010-
Model Engine type Power Torque
2.01,984 cc (121 cu in) I4 N/A116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp)170 N·m (125 lb·ft)
2.0 TSI1,984 cc (121 cu in) I4 turbo204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp)350 N·m (258 lb·ft)
Diesel engines 2010-
Model Engine type Power Torque
2.0 TDI CR1,968 cc (120 cu in) I4 turbo 84 PS (62 kW; 83 hp)220 N·m (162 lb·ft)
2.0 TDI CR1,968 cc (120 cu in) I4 turbo102 PS (75 kW; 101 hp)250 N·m (184 lb·ft)
2.0 TDI CR BlueMotion1,968 cc (120 cu in) I4 turbo114 PS (84 kW; 112 hp)250 N·m (184 lb·ft)
2.0 TDI CR1,968 cc (120 cu in) I4 turbo140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp)340 N·m (251 lb·ft)
2.0 BiTDI CR1,968 cc (120 cu in) I4 Bi-turbo179 PS (132 kW; 177 hp)400 N·m (295 lb·ft)

Awards

Gallery

References

  1. http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/content/en/the_group/production_plants.html
  2. "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.
  3. "Im Fokus: Volkswagen – Kernkompetenz: Sparen" (PDF). Automobil-Produktion.de (in German). CSM Worldwide. March 2006. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  4. 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. 2008-08-05. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  5. "Poor North American Sales". Forbes.
  6. 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 October 12, 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  7. "The Multivan Edition 25" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  8. "Volkswagen Multivan BlueMotion and Edition 25 premiere in Geneva". Worldcarfans.com. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  9. "Euro NCAP – For safer cars | Volkswagen T5". Euroncap.com. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  10. "High quality and residuals make the Transporter a double winner". Volkswagen-vans.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  11. "Transporter delivers winning economy at MPG Marathon". Volkswagen-vans.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  12. "Volkswagen Multivan Wins Best People Mover of the Year". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  13. "Volkswagen Transporter - 2009 Carsales Light Commercial Van People's Choice". Carsales.com.au. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  14. http://www.volkswagen-media-service.com

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Facelifted model.

External links

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