t5

The Volkswagen Transporter T5 range is the fifth generation of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV/VWN) medium-sized light commercial vehicle and people mover Caravelle/Multivan range. It was launched 6 October 2002, and went into full production in 25 April 2003, replacing the fourth generation T4 Transporter range.

Key markets for the T5 range are Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, France and Turkey. The U.S. market does not receive the T5 Transporter range due to it being classed as a light truck, which thereby automatically includes a 25% extra tax (known as the chicken tax) on importation into the US. The passenger vans were the worst selling vans in the North American market in 2003, when VW North America sold the last Eurovans in the United States

The Transporter is the commercial workhorse in the T5 range, available in over 100 combinations. Variants include short- (SWB), or long-wheelbases (LWB); along with low-, medium-, or high-rooflines; and can be configured as a van, minibus, single-cab, double-cab, drop side or chassis truck.

A brief view of the T5 Transporter range:

Panel Van – Delivery van without side windows or rear seats,
Highroof Panel Van – Delivery van with raised roof. There is also a third mid-roof height available with the T5, between the two traditional ones,
Half-panel – Van with side windows only in the front half of the cargo area and one row of removable rear seats,
Pick-up – Flatbed truck, also available with wider load bed,
Crew Cab Pick-up, in German: Doppelkabine – Flatbed truck with double cab and two rows of seats,
Cab Chassis – (both single and crew cab), for coach builders to build special bodies onto,
Kombi, from German: Kombinationskraftwagen (combination vehicle) – Van with side windows and removable rear seats, i.e. both a passenger and a cargo vehicle combined. Also available with heightened roof,
Shuttle (9-11 seater) minibus,
Taxi, along with Police, Fire and Ambulance emergency services vehicles are made by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) through Special Vehicle Order (SVO), although this option is not available in all markets.

Apart from these factory variants there are a multitude of third-party conversions available, some of which are offered through the VWCV/VWN dealer organisation. They include refrigerated vans, ambulances, police vans, fire engines, ladder trucks and so on.

The full cargo payload potential of the Transporter is between 800 kilograms (1,764 lb) to 1.4 tonnes. Load compartment volumes range from 5.8 m³ (200 cu ft) to 9.3 m³ (330 cu ft).

In Mexico, the T5 Transporter range is marketed under the North American Eurovan nameplate.

The Transporter Sportline is the range-topping trim level of the Transporter panel and Kombi van. It comes as standard with a 174 PS (128 kW; 172 bhp) Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine, generating torque of 400 newton metres (295 lbf·ft) at 2,000 rpm, and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.The 2.5 5 cylinder models where blighted with problematic water pumps which were later redesigned as the original plastic impellers fell to bits. A recall of the Toureg pumps was not extended to the commercial van range. Boost hose from the turbo were also problematic with the hose clip failing. Power steering pumps were another weakness failing, some dealers whilst changing the power assist pump could also damage the air conditioning system whilst under taking the power assist pump replacement.

DMF (dual mass flywheels) clutch system caused problem for owners although appears to have improved from earlier model around 05-06. A simple test is to park nose down on a gentle slope, engage reverse and see if the clutch operation results in juddering, if so the vehicle will require attention.

Side door handles were modified but not recalled where they rubbed on the paint where they passed through the body damaging the paint and causing blistering and corrosion (dealer bulletin issued) which VW refused to cover under their corrosion warranty sold with their vehicles. The PD engines can have problems with camshaft wear from the pump operation and the correct grade of engine oil is essential to minimize wear. Problem with central locking in vans can usually be traced to poor electrical connections below the drivers seat.

Reports of the “Clonk” in steering columns was a fault which seem to baffle VW aftersales and on some vehicle remained for a long time.

The vans whilst quick and nippy can be hard on tires with maybe on 18,000 miles on the front tires. Issues reported of Michelin Aquila’s tires forming eggs in the tread not easily seen from the side and cracking in the base of the groves.

The vehicles have a wide range of options including an acoustic cabin option which make the van feel more like a car. Air conditioning with climate control, although dealers do not seem to change the pollen filters without prompting.

Other standard features on the Sportline include 18-inch weight-rated alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers, door mirrors and handles. It features suspension which is lowered by 30 millimetres (1.2 in) over standard variants, and has chrome side bars and grille, a roof spoiler, as well as a special Volkswagen badge.

The Sportline featured in an episode of Top Gear TV series; where Clarkson, Hammond and May had to choose three vans to compete in a series of challenges, including transporting equipment for The Who. Jeremy Clarkson claimed the Sportline to be “the fastest van in Britain”.

This claim was put to the test by competitor TV programme Fifth Gear where the Sportline has been put head to head with The A-Team van, as well as the Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport-X. The Sportline comfortably won a race against the A-Team GMC van, even with Tiff Needell cutting corners and using short cuts in the vein of the television series. Against the Sport-X, even though the Mercedes had a more powerful engine, it was found that the traction control was too sensitive and overtly intrusive to be able to make quick progress around a track.