The History of the Volkswagen Transporter Van
When it comes to icons, few vehicles – car or van – have earned a legacy as reputed as the Volkswagen Transporter.
With more than 13 million units sold since the original Volkswagen Transporter T1 rolled off the production line way back in 1950, the model ranks as one of the most successful in automotive history.
To celebrate the launch of the new seventh generation Volkswagen Transporter, Vansdirect heads right back back at where it all began to discover how the lineage has evolved over the past 75 years!
VW Transporter T1 - (1950-1967)
Nicknamed the 'Bull' the T1 was originally derived from the Volkswagen Beetle, and was the first member of the Volkswagen Transporter family, enjoying an impressive seventeen year lifespan undergoing various tweaks along the way. The T1 had a rear boxer air-cooled engine with the windscreen divided in two (known as 'split screen') and was the first of a kind of van.
Volkswagen Transporter T2 - (1967-1979)
The various versions of the T1 had sold a staggering 1,800,000 units before Volkswagen vans decided to bring out the Volkswagen Transporter T2 in 1967. The T2 was an updated version of the T1 with enhanced safety features and larger windows offering more light and better visibility, the much sought after split window was no more.
Volkswagen Transporter T3 - (1979-1990)
In 1979 after massive sales from the first two generations of Transporter, the T3 arrived with a less favourable response to the market. The body of the van had been redesigned for enhanced visibility and spaciousness, however this meant it weighed more but still used the same engine from its lighter predecessors. However in 1981 a four-cylinder diesel engine came on board adding pulling power both on the road and in the dealerships.
Volkswagen Transporter T4 - (1990 - 2003)
Six million Volkswagen Transporter vans had been sold by 1990, however Volkswagen vans didn't rest on their laurels, deciding to revolutionise the design with the introduction of the T4. The engine was moved to the front of the van and a selection of two wheelbase options and three payload categories became available. Sales of the VW Transporter rocketed, making the T4 the must have van for tradespeople.
Volkswagen Transporter T5 - (2003 - 2015)
2003 saw the introduction of the VW Transporter T5 to the UK new van market with significant improvements to the suspension and interior of the van. The state of the art T5 received a 2-litre diesel engine as standard with a choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or 7-speed DSG twin-clutch automatic transmission for a powerful and smooth ride in whichever of the variety of models you opt for: panel van, crew van, kombi, California Camper or Caravelle.
Volkswagen Transporter T6 - (2015-2021)
Sixty-five years after the debut of the Volkswagen Transporter T1 debuted, the sixth generation of the iconic medium van was launched, with Volkswagen vans completely achieving their goal of developing a van which drives like a car. A plethora of different engine and model pairings mean the van is still incredibly popular with tradespeople, but also with a modern holiday maker hoping to retain something of the iconic campervan feel, but searching for a more reliable, quieter and safer ride than in a modified original.
Volkswagen Transporter T6.1 - (2021-2025)
Launched as a significant update rather than an all-new generation, the Transporter T6.1's tided the manufacturer over while it worked on bringing the seventh-generation model to the market. Even so, it was still a comprehensive facelift with new features including a larger unified grille and refreshed taillights at the rear to give the new van a more modern appearance. There was also a host of added technology for the T6.1 van, a modified interior and the introduction of an all-electric Volkswagen e-Transporter model.
Volkswagen Transporter T7 (2025 – Present)
New-for-2025, the seventh generation Volkswagen Transporter arrives with a substantial weight of expectation derived from it being the latest in such an illustrious line of mid-size vans from the German marque.
Based on the same architecture as the similarly popular Ford Transit Custom, the Transporter T7 is larger than its predecessor, opening up to reveal class-leading cargo space and numerous practical touches.
It’s also brimming with smart connected technology to emphasise its status as a ‘mobile office’ in addition to its cargo-carrying capabilities.
It also comes with the choice of diesel and electric powertrains, while there will also be a plug-in hybrid version made available too.
Honourable Mention: Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo
While the Transporter is the direct descendent of the original Volkswagen T1 ‘Bull’, the thoroughly modern Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo is arguably more spiritually related to the original ‘VW Van’.
Brimming with retro styling cues that draw on the iconic traits of the earlier generation Transporter models, the ID.Buzz Cargo brings the throwback silhouette right up to date with its electric powertrain and high-tech interior.
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