Vanagon
| Volkswagen Type 2 (T3) | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen |
| Also called | Volkswagen Transporter (Europe) Volkswagen Caravelle (Europe), (Australia) Volkswagen T25 (Technically incorrect) Volkswagen Vanagon (North America) Volkswagen Microbus (South Africa) Volkswagen Transporter (Australia) |
| Production | May 1979–June 2002 |
| Assembly |
Hannover, Germany Graz, Austria Uitenhage, South Africa |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Light commercial vehicle (M) |
| Body style | 3-door van 3-door pickup |
| Layout | Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group T3 platform |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.6 L H4 (petrol, air-cooled) 1.9 L H4 (petrol, water-cooled) 2.0 L H4 (petrol, air-cooled) 2.1 L H4 (petrol, water-cooled) 2.3 L I5 (petrol, water-cooled) 2.5 L I5 (petrol, water-cooled) 2.6 L I5 (petrol, water-cooled) 1.6 L I4 (diesel) 1.7 L I4 (diesel) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,461 mm (96.9 in) 2,456 mm (96.7 in) (GL syncro Camper) |
| Length | 4,569 mm (179.9 in) |
| Width | 1,844 mm (72.6 in) |
| Height | 1,928 mm (75.9 in) 1,735 mm (68.3 in) (Carat) 2,055 mm (80.9 in) (Camper) 2,085 mm (82.1 in) (GL syncro) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Volkswagen Type 2 (T2) |
| Successor | Volkswagen Transporter (T4) |
The Volkswagen Type 2 (T3) was the third generation of the Volkswagen Transporter and was marketed under various nameplates worldwide – including as the Transporter or Caravelle in Europe, Microbus in South Africa, and as the Vanagon in North and South America.
Larger and heavier than its predecessor, the T2, – and with a more squared and less rounded styling – the T3 was manufactured in Germany from 1979 until 1990. Production of the 2WD (mostly for official use, like postal service or German army) continued until 1992 at Puch in Graz/Austria, where all 4WDs had been built. South African production of the T3 continued, for that market only, until 2002. The T3 was the final generation of rear-engined Volkswagens.
Following the Type 2 T2, the Type 2 T3 initially featured air-cooled and subsequently water-cooled engines. Versions produced in South Africa from 1990 until 2002 featured an Audi five-cylinder engine.
Volkswagen marketed the Westfalia camper variant throughout the T3 production, with features including a pop up roof, refrigerator, sink, and stove.
Examples built between 1979 and 1985 featured round headlights and chrome-plated steel bumpers with plastic end-caps. Air-cooled models (1979 to mid-1983) lack the lower grill above the radiator of the water-cooled models, except on models with factory air conditioning. 1986 model year vehicles received revisions including a tachometer, more fabric choices, redesigned air conditioner, larger water-cooled engine with a more advanced engine management system, and redesigned transmissions including an optional Syncro four-wheel drive. Exterior changes include rectangular headlights (on selected models) and different paint options. Alloy wheels, larger and squarer plastic bumpers with trim along the rocker panels were optional, and standard equipment on Hannover Edition vans. For 1990 and 1991 model years, a "Carat" trim level was available which included all available options (except Westfalia conversion and 4WD).
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Wikipedia