What Is a VW Vanagon?
The VW Vanagon was a rear engine passenger and camper van. Identified formally as the T3 in North America and the T25 in Europe, the Vanagon served as a fuel-efficient, albeit underpowered, transporter that was popular with large families and campers. The Vanagon was the progeny of the iconic 1960s Volkswagen microbus, but it never gained the cult following of the original.
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History
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The T3 Vanagon was manufactured by Volkswagen from 1979 to 1992. It was the third-generation bus produced by the German automaker. The first generation was produced from 1950 to 1967. It featured a split windshield, an air-cooled rear engine and numerous window configurations that gave the van distinction. The second generation was produced from 1968 to 1979. Following the third generation was the 1991 to 2003 Transporter. The fifth generation debuted in 2003. Generations four and five are not Vanagons. A four-wheel-drive version was launched in 1985.
European Types
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There were many models of the Vanagon with many interior options. In Europe, the Vanagon was sold as the Westfalia Joker, Club Joker, Sport Joker, Top Joker, Jubilee Joker, Mosaik Joker, Club Van, California and Atlantic. The California, for example, was produced from 1988 to 1990. It came as a pop top or high top camper. It could be equipped with a 1.6-liter turbodiesel, a 1.9-liter gasoline engine or a 2.1-liter fuel-injection gasoline model.
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North American Types
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Model options produced in Canada and the United States were more limited than their European counterparts. The North American versions were the Westfalia Vanagon Camper, the Vanagon Camper Wolfsburg Special Edition and the Vanagon Camper GL. The Wolfsburg Special Edition was produced only in 1984 and featured a two-tone paint scheme and the water-cooled 1.9-liter boxer-4.
Specifications
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The T3/T25 Vanagons sat on a 96.9-inch wheelbase and measured 179.9 inches long, 75.9 inches tall and 72.6 inches wide. The length and height of the Vanagon remained the same as the second-generation Transporters, but it was wider by 4.7 inches. The vehicle could seat seven people and luggage capacity was 49.7 cubic feet. The curb weight was rated to 3,460 lbs.
Engines
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All engines during the Vanagon’s production run were boxer (because the engine is shaped like a box) four-cylinders. These engines included the air-cooled 50-horsepower 1.6-liter and the 70 horsepower 2-liter. The 1.9-liter version generated 60 horsepower and was water-cooled. The horsepower of the 1.9 was later boosted to 78. The diesel 1.9-liter generated 65 horsepower. A turbodiesel was also offered. The most powerful engine was the 2.1-liter version. It generated 90 horsepower and 117 foot-pounds of torque. Torque is the twisting force developed inside the engine to allow the Vanagon to quickly accelerate and carry heavy loads.
Fuel Economy
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Fuel efficiency for the Vanagon was above average. The fuel tank held 18.4 gallons. The two-wheel-drive 1990 Vanagon Camper equipped with a 2.1-liter engine and manual transmission, for example, achieved 16 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway for an average of 17 mpg, according to Epa.gov and Edmunds.com.
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