History
Introduced in 1990, the T4 was the first in a line of Volkswagen Transporters to have a front-mounted, water-cooled engine. Prompted by the success of similar moves with their passenger cars, Volkswagen had toyed in the late 1970s with the idea of replacing their air-cooled, rear-engined Type 2 vans with a front-engined, water-cooled design. The reasons for deciding in 1980 to instead introduce a new rear-engined Type 2 (T3)/Vanagon are unclear. Thus, the introduction of a front-engined layout was delayed until the arrival of the T4.
Although its predecessors are also referred to casually as Transporters, the T4 is the first Volkswagen van to officially use the 'Transporter' title.
After a production run of nearly 14 years, T4 production ceased in 2003, making it second only to the T1 for length of production in its home market.
Read more about this topic: Volkswagen Transporter (T4)
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