Auto Trader NZ
Published 3 September 2020
During its 60 years the Transporter has become one of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ best-selling models globally, the number one imported van in the UK as well as one of the most iconic and popular vans in the world, for rock bands and surfers alike.
With over 10 million produced, the Volkswagen Transporter has evolved through five generations of bodystyles, all sharing the same badge on the front and the same design principles of a generous loadspace and a reputation for quality and durability.
The first T1 ’split-screen’ model was powered by a four-cylinder, air-cooled, 1.1-litre petrol engine mounted at the back of the vehicle. It produced 25 PS of power and had a top speed of about 60mph.
The new Transporter enjoys Volkswagen’s latest 2.0-litre, common rail, turbocharged diesel engine, available with power outputs ranging from 84 PS to 180 PS and a top speed of up to 119mph, plus the latest stability control systems and braking technology.
The first Transporter was imported into the UK in 1955, and the latest version of the van as well as today’s people-carrying and campervan versions, the Caravelle and California, arrived in the UK this January, 55 years later.
