(first posted 2/18/2018) From the mid-seventies onwards, the LT -renamed Crafter in 2006- has been Volkswagen’s largest commercial vehicle in Europe. Bigger VAG Group trucks are available alright, in which case they go by the name of MAN and Scania.
The first generation of the Lasten-Transporter was introduced in 1975. With its front engine-rear wheel drive layout the LT was offered as a panel van, minibus and truck chassis. Many of them were converted into camper vans with a raised roof.
The 1996-2006 second generation was developed in cooperation with Daimler-Benz; the new LT was almost identical to the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, although Volkswagen used their own powertrains.
The 2003 LT 2.5 TDI (with an inline-5) I caught is owned by a painting business & glass service. There’s a fully enclosed cargo compartment inbetween the big side racks. On the cargo door it says that the Kuypers-company was founded in 1914…that’s certainly a long history of home improvement.
Very close to the LT glass hauler I came across a 1995 Transporter 1.9 D. It could actually use some glass service, as it is missing a complete window. This fourth generation of the Transporter, sold as the Eurovan in North America, was introduced in 1990. It marked the end of the VW bus as we knew it, since the T4 had a front engine and was front wheel drive.
The old, beaten up van is parked next to a fruitautomaat, a vending machine for apples and pears, neatly integrated into a wooden shed. The fruit comes from the orchard in the background. Vending machines of this size were typically used for hot & greasy snacks, but in the recent past all kinds of fresh products have showed up behind the small windows. So far I’ve seen apples, pears, strawberries, mushrooms, potatoes and eggs.
And this is Volkswagen’s current Euro-lineup of workhorses; from left to right the Caddy, the Transporter T6, the Crafter and the Amarok. The latest Crafter model was introduced in 2016, this time without Daimler-Benz connection. The other day Mercedes-Benz unveiled their own new Sprinter.
Related reading:
CC Global: Compact, Mid-Size, And Full-Size Panel Vans – Or Is It Small-Medium-Large-Extra Large?
Wish some of those would make it stateside.
Our favorite VW. Forget the diesel- it had a VR6, and could haul the enclosed cargo trailer we had with all the gear, bikes, kayaks, etc at freeways speed and then some. Plus fit in the garage.
BTW, those plates are pronounced “Ice Bear.”
Splendid!
The earlier one is also the van that gave up its 2.4 liter, I-6 Diesel to the Volvo 240 and 740 (and also the 2.0 I-5 Diesel to Volvo 245 in certain non-US markets).
There has been plenty of chatter on VW interest boards about the Amarok being brought to the US. VW has had other ideas. Will be interesting to see if Wolfsburg gives the Amarok another think now that Ford is so hot to offer the Ranger here that they are willing to put Focus production on hiatus for a year to hurry up the plant conversion. On the other hand, VW has zero reputation for trucks here, so the Amarok may have a lot of trouble getting traction in the market.
This “working” VW shows up at a couple car shows in the area from time to time.
This one has shown up here and there as well.
The interior was fully populated with comm equipment too.
We’d buy a T6 in a heartbeat.
The pickup-truck isn’t exactly a Euro-thing, but somehow VW managed to create an interesting market with the Amarok, certainly in northwestern Europe. It is by far the best selling pickup and it has become a common sight on our roads.
The army, the police and the military police are also driving them.
The Amarok used to have a 2.0 TDI engine, but now a (max.) 225 hp 3.0 V6 TDI engine is the standard powerunit in my country.
My brother has got a 2.5 I-5 gasser T4 that he uses in his beekeeping business. A great truck that shows its true colors on the freeway (much quieter than diesel and can do 100 MPH without much sensation). It is currently undergoing auto tranny rebuild though.
The LT gave it’s 2.5 TDi engine to the Volvo lineup, starting with the 850, ending with the S80. Awesome engines, my brother having an S80 with the 140 hp version of that engine. 935.000 km and counting!