Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles celebrated the 75th birthday of the iconic VW Bus on 8th March 2025.
The first Transporter – T1 for short – went into production on 8 March 1950, going on to become three product lines in 2025: the Transporter/Caravelle, Multivan/California and ID. Buzz/ID. Buzz Cargo.
Production of the T2 started in the Hanover plant in 1967, followed by the third generation in 1979. Catalytic converter, turbodiesel and all-wheel drive were used on the T3 for the first time.
By switching to front-mounted engines and front-wheel drive, the T4 built between 1990 and 2004 made VW Bus history, while the design of the T5 introduced in 2003 was considered a milestone.
With the T6 (from 2015) and T6.1 (from 2019), the VW Bus became more comfortable and digital than ever before in all versions.
The first version of the 4.10-metre-long Transporter or T1 was a panel van without windows in the load compartment. Its load compartment had a capacity of 4.5 cubic metres.
The two-piece split-window windscreen resulted in it being given the nickname “Splittie” in Great Britain. With the 18 kW (25 PS) four-cylinder flat engine from the Beetle, the T1 reached a top speed of 80 km/h; later the output would increase to 32 kW (44 PS) with a maximum speed of 105 km/h.
Further body variants followed quickly: a Kombi version with windows at the rear was already available in April 1950, followed by a minibus and a dropside.
The model that is today considered the classic VW Bus vehicle made its debut in June 1951: the ‘Small Bus Special Version’ – christened ‘Samba bus’ by fans. It had room for nine people and came with up to 23 windows, two-tone paintwork and a luxurious specification including a panoramic folding roof.
In 1956, Volkswagen relocated production to the new Hanover plant. On 2nd October 1962, the one millionth T1 already left the assembly halls. In July 1967, the T1 was replaced by the T2 after more than 1.8 million units. However, they still built the T1 in Brazil until 1975.
The new front end was the most distinctive feature of the T2. Instead of the V-shaped vertical modulation between the round headlights, a design with horizontal lines now emphasised the width of the Volkswagen. It also had visibly larger side windows and the one piece, strongly curved windscreen.
In addition, the T2 now had a sliding door as standard, while the most obvious progress was made in the area of the chassis and brakes. With an unchanged wheelbase at 2.40 metres and a slightly increased width, the body gained 20 centimetres in length.
In 1978, the 4.5 millionth Transporter left the production halls. One year later, German T2 production was discontinued. By then, 2.2 million units of this second generation of VW Bus had been produced.
Up until 1987 in the Mexican Puebla plant with the air-cooled flat engine, then right up until 1996 with water-cooled four-cylinder engines. In addition, another 355,000 T2c would be built at Volkswagen do Brasil by 2013, until regulations led to the final farewell of this evergreen. The last 1,200 units of the T2 left the factory as the “56 Anos Kombi – Last Edition”.
The T3 from Volkswagen, presented in 1979, followed the previous models conceptually. The wider body also offered significantly more passenger and load space with moderate increases in length and height; the standard flat engines also contributed to this.
At market launch, the air-cooled T3 flat engines produced between 37 kW (50 PS) and 51 kW (70 PS). From 1981, a water-cooled diesel engine was installed at the rear of the Transporter for the first time. Output: also 37 kW (50 PS).
A year later, the water-cooled flat engines specially developed for the bus followed. They produced 44 kW (60 PS) and 57 kW (78 PS). Their output later increased to up to 82 kW (112 PS).
In 1985, the petrol engines were equipped with catalytic converters, and the first diesel engines were given a turbocharger.
From 1988, there was the first camper van built in-house: the California. The new T3 California immediately became a best seller: 5,000 units were sold in the first 12 months.
Volkswagen presented the new T4 in August 1990. After 40 years of rear-wheel drive and a rear-mounted engine, the engines were now located at the front; they no longer powered the rear axle, but the front wheels.
At the front, the T4 became longer so as to provide sufficient space for the transversely mounted in-line four- and five-cylinder engines and to create better crash characteristics. At the market launch, T4 buyers could choose between three water-cooled petrol engines and two diesel engines (49 kW/61 PS to 81 kW/110 PS). All-wheel-drive fans could buy a T4 syncro from 1993.
From 1995, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles acted as an independent brand within the group. This was celebrated in January 1996 with a comprehensive update of the T4. There were a particularly large number of changes under the bonnet. A 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine was introduced in the T4 as the first turbodiesel direct injection engine (TDI) in a VW Transporter.
The longer front section of the passenger car variants now allowed the integration of the VR6 petrol engine with a capacity of 2.8 litres. From 1998, the top-of-the-range TDI produced a remarkable 111 kW (151 PS), while the six-cylinder even unleashed up to 150 kW (204 PS).
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles heralded the end of T4 production with an exclusive special model: the Multivan Last Edition with particularly generous standard equipment. After a production period of 14 years and around two million units built, the revolutionary T4 was replaced by the T5 in 2003.
In 2003, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles launched the fifth generation of the Transporter – the T5. The new design was more spacious and variable. The Transporter made its debut as a Kombi, panel van, dropside, double cab and chassis variant for third-party superstructures.
In addition, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles redefined the VW Bus with the new editions of the Caravelle, Multivan and California.
For the debut of the T5, propulsion was taken care of by unit injector turbodiesel (TDI) and petrol engines. The diesel engines developed between 63 kW (86 PS) and 128 kW (174 PS). The petrol engines ranged from 85 kW (115 PS) to a V6 power plant with 173 kW (235 PS). Due to a newly developed multiplate clutch technology, the name of the all-wheel-drive versions was changed from syncro to 4MOTION.
In 2009, the TDI engines were replaced by new and quieter four-cylinder common-rail engines with an output of up to 132 kW (180 PS). The petrol engines were also replaced by new turbocharged engines: the four-cylinder direct injection engines (TSI) engines produced 110 kW (150 PS) and 150 kW (204 PS) respectively. Production of the T5 continued until 2015. After 13 years and around two million units, it was then replaced by the extensively modernised T6.
The T6 model variants were divided into the commercial vehicle models of panel van, dropside, double cab, Kombi and Caravelle, as well as the family-oriented Multivan and the California camper van.
The range of engines included four new TDIs and two new TSIs, each with a capacity of two litres. In comparison with the previous model, the new engines saved around one litre of fuel. All drive systems had a Start/Stop function as standard. The power output ranged from 62 kW (84 PS) to 150 kW (204 PS).
Depending on power output, they were coupled with a five- or six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed DSG. In addition, many variants could be ordered with 4MOTION all-wheel drive. A highlight was the optional adaptive chassis control DCC. In addition, the T6 brought many new assist and safety systems to the product line.
In mid-2024, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles launched the new California on the basis of the long Multivan version – a camper van rethought down to the last detail, while remaining absolutely iconic and transferring the DNA of its predecessors to the present and the future. Since the end of 2024, this also includes the plug-in hybrid all-wheel drive available for both the Multivan and California.
On 9 March 2022, Volkswagen unveiled the production version of the new ID. Buzz in a world premiere. From the outset, the electric VW Bus was offered in two versions: as the ID. Buzz Pro for family, leisure and business, and as the ID. Buzz Cargo for trade, business and industry.
A completely new high-efficiency drive with an output of 210 kW (286 PS) and a new 79 kWh (net) battery were introduced in 2024. Another new addition to the range is the ID. Buzz with an extended wheelbase, maximised space and a 86 kWh battery (net). All 210 kW versions have rear-wheel drive.
The ID. Buzz GTX with normal wheelbase is powered by the 79kWh battery; the version with long wheelbase is equipped with the larger 86 kWh battery. The drive system is also available for the ID. Buzz Cargo Pro 4MOTION. The new rear-wheel drive base versions Freestyle and Pure with an output of 125 kW (170 PS) round off the lower end of the range; they have a 59 kWh (net) battery on board.
The current Transporter and Caravelle are the two latest models in the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range. The Transporter is offered as a panel van in various versions, as a Kombi for the combined transport of larger teams plus equipment and as a dropside with a double cab and – depending on version –with two wheelbases and two roof heights. Available in parallel to the Transporter is the Caravelle sister model, which is designed for professional passenger transport.
The Caravelle range covers applications from large-capacity taxi with eight or nine seats to exclusive VIP shuttle. The Caravelle is also available with two wheelbases.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is offering the new Transporter and Caravelle with a 5-year warranty as standard on the German market.
On the drive side, the product line is characterised by state-of-the-art turbodiesel, plug-in hybrid and electric drive systems.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles plans to use the 75th birthday of the VW Bus as an opportunity to make 2025 the year of the brand in terms of communication. The starting point for this is an extensive anniversary campaign, which kicks off today in Germany.
On the last weekend in May, the focus in the Autostadt will be all on the VW Bus. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and the Autostadt are celebrating the 75th anniversary, and the Autostadt will be turned into the VW Bus City.
On 1st June 2025 in Hanover, the day before the 3rd International VW Bus Day, a ‘VW Bus & Coffee’ meeting for VW Bus fans will take place in the car park at the customer centre of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles plant in the city district of Stöcken.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will exhibit a selection of vehicles from the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles classic car collection and will give free coffee to participants who arrive in and exhibit a Volkswagen bus.
The anniversary will also be celebrated internationally. For example, at the Salzburgring in Austria from 16th to 18th May and in Spain and the Czech Republic from 23rd to 25th May.
