Volkswagen Transporter T4: the success story of a vantastic van!

True, the plucky T3 (or T25) had had a touch of modernisation, essentially by taking on the solid, torquey Turbo Diesel engine from the Golf 2; it had even moved to a 5-speed gearbox. But the "everything at the rear" layout had run its course and Volkswagen was about to relive the Golf 1 adventure, when its fabulous Beetle was starting to go out of fashion and the need for change was pushing at the door.

VW then switched its Transporter to "everything at the front"; engine and gearbox were mounted transversely, under the windscreen, which made it possible to lower the rear loading sill considerably and to open new doors (and a tailgate) onto the future.

In fact, it is no longer the rear wheels that are driven (rear-wheel drive) but the front wheels (front-wheel drive).

From the Split-Screen Camper to the T25, via the Bay Windows, will the success story of the Volkswagen van ever end? That was the question you might have asked at the end of the 80s.

When it came out in 1990, it was clear that the Transporter 4 (it reminds me of a film with a certain Jason) made its predecessor look seriously old. Its design was in tune with the times, modern and enveloping, like that of the Golf 3 and the new Passat, Corrado and so on.

Compact, it is a true MPV, easy to drive, with power steering, powerful and reassuring brakes, heating and air conditioning and so on.

Basically, in the T4 family: for the pros there is the van, the Transporter or "Delivery van". For families and passenger transport, alongside the most common T4, the Multivan, there is the Caravelle, fitted with 7 to 9 seats depending on the chassis version, popular with taxis and hotel shuttles.

You don't change a winning recipe, you improve it; with its T4, VW was going to do better than before.

The T4 is 14 cm longer than the T3, in its short version, and 54 cm longer in its long-chassis version! In terms of volume … the short T4 does less well, 5.4 m3 against 5.7 m3 in the T3. The lowered loading sills, rear and side, prove very practical; at the rear you have the choice between a 2-door opening or a tailgate (handy for sheltering). The payload also took another leap forward (between 800 and 1,200 kg) and the (rear) independent suspension allows every excess in improved comfort too.

As usual, and particularly in Germany, the Transporter satisfies the pros and every administration with special versions. You find the T4 everywhere: tippers, ladder vehicles, single and double cab pick-ups, ambulances, vehicles for the Police, the Post, the army, the EDA (Electricity of Germany …), fire brigades, ice cream sellers, and so on. Every trade finds a shoe that fits, even undertakers.

Like the T25, the T4 can have a 4x4 Syncro transmission; equipped this way, it goes almost anywhere, which lets families and pros leave the beaten track (and the beaten building site).

Just like its predecessors, as a van, the T4 is modular and ready for anything; versatility remains its leitmotif; you can count on it more than on a Facebook friend. The T4 quickly built a reputation as a reliable and economical (Diesel) van.

In a T4 Multivan, you haul your family or friends with an ease and comfort that put a grin on everyone's face. On party nights, all it takes is a single designated driver (preferably Bob or Sam) to take 6 other people to the club safely. The next day you have to pick up plasterboard at the DIY store or help a mate (or a post) move house? No problemo, the Transporter is modular, its seats fold away and anything goes (or almost).

You cannot talk about leisure and family outings in a T4 without mentioning the Westfalia Transporter T4 California.

Westfalia: if you like VWs, that name should ring a bell. It is the German company that developed and produced Volkswagen's motorhomes from 1951 to 2003, from the Split-Screen Camper to the Transporter T4. At the launch of the T4, VW decided to offer a complete range and the California "camper van" was part of it, to meet its customers' need for escape. It came in plenty of special editions, on short and long chassis, with pop-top roofs and raised roofs, to the great delight of families. The T4 Californias are real little rolling homes, ideal for a couple and their two children to go on holiday wherever they want.

Alongside the official versions, many T4s were converted by private owners or fitters so that families could set off on adventures. The craze for DIY and the tools and materials available allow all sorts of conversions.

Beware, however, of carrying out a permanent conversion that would change the intended use of your T4. The contrôle technique (the French roadworthiness test) has become uncompromising on the subject since the change in legislation in 2018.

The Transporter 4 saw little change in its bodywork and appearance, apart from a restyle in January 1996. The T4 took on a Pinocchio look and its nose grew 8 cm longer. From then on, we speak of short-nose or long-nose T4s to tell phase 1 from phase 2 (all of that over a matter of faces). A reference point on phase 2: there is now only one body crease on top of the front wings, near the mirrors.

With its new headlights, the new one seems to frown compared with the old one, which gives it a slightly more aggressive look (if your children are fans of the "Cars" cartoon, you will see what I mean).

This small change is due to the arrival of the VR6 and the 102 hp TDi, which need more room under the bonnet, and it allows the radiator to be fitted on air-conditioned versions.

Let's talk about the Transporter T4 engines : the majority are (economical) Diesels but there are also a few Petrols, much less common in France, and sometimes a 6-cylinder well known to fans of the Golf 3 and the Corrado. An obvious and important detail: the Transporter goes 100% water-cooled from the T4 onwards.

Petrol

1800 and 2L 4-cylinders, a 2.5L five-cylinder, a plucky 2.8L VR6 6-cylinder with 140, then 204 hp.

Diesel

It starts with a 1900 TD, taken from the Golf 3, Passat and so on. A robust engine but a bit humdrum.

5-cylinders for eating up the long road: from the 78 hp naturally aspirated 2.4L to the torquey and frugal TDis, in 88, 102 (reputed unbreakable) and 150 hp.

T4 TDi engines are easy to spot: as with a cheese label, it is written on it (or almost). The i in TDi is a different colour depending on the power developed. A blue i for the 88 hp, a grey i for the 102 hp and the i sees red for the powerful 150 hp!

High mileages should not frighten you, as these Diesels are so solid and proven. On the other hand, it is important to be able to get a service history and the related invoices from the seller.

Whatever your preferred fuel, you will surely find a T4 to suit you in the small ads, 1.9 million of them were built!