The Volkswagen Eurovan is a transverse front-engined, light commercial vehicle. It was designed as the successor to the Vanagon. Based on the Volkswagen Group T4 platform, it is officially known as the Volkswagen Transporter T4.
The Volkswagen Eurovan was originally designed by Volkswagen and built in Volkswagen's German-based factories located in Hannover. Over the years, production shifted to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, originally part of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars company, but now officially a separate brand and marque in its own right. After the transition, many units were produced overseas in Jakarta, Indonesia by Garuda Matraman Motor. Earlier models were originally available in a variety of petrol and diesel configurations. Petrol engines had either 1.8, 2.0, or 2.5 liter displacements while diesel ones came in 1.9 and 2.4 liter displacements. Later petrol-based models would be produced with larger displacements, with the largest being a 2.8... View more liter VR6 DOHC produced between 2000 and 2003. On the diesel side, a 2.5 liter, inline-5, DOHC, turbocharged direct injection was also produced.
The Eurovan was exported to the US market between 1992 and 2003. It was hyped by VW as being smaller than a typical American delivery van but larger than a minivan. The five-cylinder models were only sold in the US in 1993. After a brief hiatus, VW re-introduced Eurovan passenger models into the American market in 1999, this time with VR6 engines. A re-shaped, longer front end was introduced in 1994 in order to accommodate the larger engines. True to the Transporter heritage led by the Bus and Vanagon, Volkswagen included recreational vehicle models in its Eurovan lineup. The Eurovan Camper was sold by Volkwagen's RV contractor, Westfalia-Werke. The Westfalia camper models were sold with a five-cylinder engine between 1993-1996 and with a VR6 from 1997-2003. They proved to be extremely popular amongst outdoor enthusiasts. Winnebago built two Class C motorhomes that made use of the Eurovan's forward cab. Known as the Rialta and Vista, they were available from 1993-1996 with a five-cylinder engine and from 1997-2005 with the VR6. Campers and other special-purpose vehicles continue to be produced in both long and short forms throughout the model's entire lifetime. The Eurovan was finally discontinued again in 2003.
The US market witnessed several variations of the Eurovan. The CL, GL, and GLS models were seven-seat commuter models. The Eurovan MV was a camper model with a removeable, rear-facing bench seat, folding table, window curtains, and florescent lamp. The Eurovan MV Weekender featured additional Westfalia camper conversion accessories such as a pop-top roof, second overhead bed, side window bug screens, rear hatch, refrigerator, and utility battery. The Winnebago Eurovan Campers included additional seating, dinette tables, furnace, stove, closet, cabinets, and sink with gray-water tank.
Being the fourth generation of Transporter-class Volkswagens, the Eurovan saw the 40th year anniversary of the Transporter in 1990, with more than 6 million having been produced since the first one rolled off the factory line in 1950. The Eurovan won IntelliChoice's Best Overall Value of the Year" award and was nominated for Motor Trend's "Car of the Year" award in 2002. View less
