Volkswagen Transporter (T5)

Overview

manufacturer	Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
aka	Volkswagen Caravelle Volkswagen Multivan Volkswagen California
production	2003–2015
assembly	Germany: Hanover (Hannover Plant) Poland: Poznań Russia: Kaluga (Transporter, Caravelle, Multivan)‡R1R‡ Indonesia: Jakarta (National Assemblers)‡R2R‡‡R3R‡
predecessor	Volkswagen Transporter (T4)
successor	Volkswagen Transporter (T6)
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‡R4R‡‡R5R‡
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)
wheelbase	3000 mm 3400 mm
length	4892 mm 5290 mm 5292 mm
width	1904 mm 1959 mm
height	1935 mm 1990 mm 2176 mm 2476 mm 1949 mm (double cab) 1963 mm (chassis cab)
sp	uk

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]

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

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 kg to 1.4 tonnes. Load compartment volumes range from 5.8 m3 to 9.3 m3.

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

Panel Van – Delivery van without side windows or rear seats,

Highroof Panel Van – Delivery van with raised roof. There is also a third mid-roof height available with the T5, between the two traditional ones

Half-panel – Van with side windows only in the front half of the cargo area and one row of removable rear seats,

Pick-up – Flatbed truck, also available with wider load bed,

Crew Cab Pick-up, in – Flatbed truck with double cab and two rows of seats,

Cab Chassis – (both single and crew cab), for coach builders to build special bodies onto,

Kombi, from (combination vehicle) – Van with side windows and removable rear seats, i.e. both a passenger and a cargo vehicle combined. Also available with heightened roof,

Shuttle (8-11 seater) minibus,

Taxi, along with Police, Fire and Ambulance emergency services vehicles are made by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) through Special Vehicle Order (SVO), although this option is not available in all markets.

People movers

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

Kombi: This is the entry level people mover in the Transporter range. It is available with every internal combustion engine in the T5 range, and in all roof heights and wheelbases. The Kombi [7] can seat four to eleven people. It is equipped with basic features such as rubber flooring, heater for driver's compartment, and side panel trim and headlining in the driver's compartment. Optional features include central locking, air conditioning for front and rear compartments, electrically controlled and heated mirrors, sliding windows, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), side and curtain airbags, cruise control, electric windows, sunroof, and an electric sliding door.

Shuttle: This is the next level up, is only available in SWB and LWB, with the full engine range, but is limited to the standard roof height. The Shuttle seats seven to eleven people. Standard features are moulded trim, a second heater, sun blinds for the passenger compartment, and a sliding window on the left hand side only. Optional extras over the Kombi include carpeting and an 'Appearance Package', which includes colour-coded bumpers, double folding rear three-seater bench seat, and a luggage compartment light.

Caravelle: This includes most of the Kombi and Shuttle features already standard, plus ESP, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR – more commonly known as traction control system), passenger's seat with adjustable lumbar support, air conditioning, electrically adjustable and heated mirrors, and armrests for front-seat passenger and driver. Optional features include Automatic Tailgate Power Closing system, and multi-disc CD changer. The Caravelle is only available in SWB or LWB, with a maximum of ten seats.

Volkswagen Transporter (T5)

Overview

Body types

People movers

Variants

Sportline

California campervan

Facelift

Edition 25 Multivan (2011)

Engines

Safety

Awards

Gallery

External links

References