How often can you pedal the accelerator on an inline five VW bus?
The Volkswagen Transporter van, also known as the EuroVan in North America was a van with a very long life span. It was launched in 1990 and continued to be in production until 2004, with later models featuring mechanical and visual modifications. Although it was not intended to be fast, there were versions with decent acceleration and power.
The 2.5-liter TDI diesel had 151 horsepower (111 kilowatts) as well as 218 pound-feet (295 Newton meters) of torque at 1,900 to 3,000 rpm. These numbers are not great today but were impressive for a reliable workhorse back in the 1990s. This particular bus was still in use in 1999, when it was constructed.
A new video by TopSpeedGermany shows us riding onboard a 1999 Volkswagen T4 powered by the 2.5 TDI engine. A turbocharged direct-injection diesel engine has covered 181,440 km (292,000 km). The van appears to be in good condition, with only a lamp on its instrument cluster that indicates problems with the airbag system.
The 2.5 TDI, an inline-five unit, is a unique engine layout for a Volkswagen product. It was manufactured in its strongest form between 1998 and 2003. There were also smaller versions available between 1995 and 2004, when the production of T4 ended.
Although it’s a bit surprising to see an older bus in the Autobahn’s left lane, this T4 is fast enough that it can stay exactly where newer BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, and Audi models normally drive. When the engine is running at 4,000 rpm, the van can reach speeds of around 118 mph (190 km/h). You should keep in mind that the engine is an old diesel.