History of the Volkswagen T5
The Volkswagen T5 Transporter
Introduction
April 2003 saw the Volkswagen T5 replaced the T4 and was the fifth generation of VW Transporter, available as a medium-sized light commercial vehicle and people carrier with petrol and diesel engine options as well as a choice of front-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive, known as the 4motion.
Body Styles and model variants
Built at the dedicated Transporter factory in Hanover Germany, it was available in SWB (Short Wheel Base) or LWB (Long Wheel Base). The range (excluding custom-built models) consists of:
Panel Van (no side windows)
Eurovan (2 side windows, sliding door and opposite)
Kombi (windows but no rear seating)
Caravelle (5, 7, 8, 9 seat options)
Single Cab Pickup
Double Cab Pickup
Syncro (4x4 available all models)
- Also Known As
- T5, T5.1 Transporter, T28, T30, T32, Shuttle, Kombi, Caravelle, and Multivan.
- Manufactured
- from 2003 to 2015
- Fuel Types
- Petrol, Diesel
- Engine Sizes
- 1900cc, 2500cc (Diesel)
- 2000cc, 3200cc (Petrol)
- Engine Types
- Water-Cooled
- Drive Configurations
- LHD, RHD
Camper and commercial conversions
A new move by Volkswagen Hannover saw the start of production for the very first time of a VW produced camper, which was called ‘The California’. Sporting a 4 berth interior and elevating roof it competes directly against the independent convertors of Transporters onto Campers such as Reimo in Germany and Bilbos in the UK.
Again, as with its predecessor the T4, it became a firm favorite of the vehicle conversion companies. It has been made into refrigerated vehicles, police and ambulances, taxis, disability vehicles with wheel chair ramps etc. JK offer a range of interior camper conversion parts for T5 panel vans and Kombis.
In June 2009, VW announced the one-millionth T5 rolled off the production line in Hanover.
Later the same year in September 2009 the T5 was revised with a facelift and new engine and transmission options including a 7 speed (DSG) double clutch gearbox.
T5 Engine options
2003 to 2009
Size BHP Notes
1900cc 83 bhp TDi
1900cc 101 bhp TDi
2500cc 129 bhp TDi
2500cc 172 bhp TDi
2000cc 114 bhp Petrol
3200cc 232 bhp Petrol
2010 onwards
Size BHP Notes
2000cc 83 bhp TDi
2000cc 101 bhp TDi
2000cc 138 bhp TDi
2000cc 177 bhp TDi
2000cc 114 bhp Petrol