Volkswagen LT, small revolution

It was in the 60s when it became clear at Volkswagen that the local transport market needed a payload higher than the Transporter 1.000 kg. Thus, in the early seventies, Volkswagen decided expand the range commercial vehicles.

The specifications of the new carrier were accurate: maximum loading area with a minimum space required, redesigned rear-wheel drive cab for optimum traction in this category, from 2,8 to (in the future) 5,6 tons... Partially tested concepts on Transporter, so the LT went to a small revolution that moved engine position back to front, between the two seats. ...

Search engines

In 1975, the time finally came when Volkswagen presented in Berlin il Volkswagen LT... The width dropped below 2,04 m, and thanks to the independent front suspension (rigid axle from the LT 40), well-coordinated steering and an extremely wide track, it was distinguished not only by good roadholding, but also by excellent handling. comfort.

Now the company was faced with the task of finding one suitable motorization... In fact, Volkswagen only had engines to fit in rear position and the new generation of Golf engines were too weak.

A suitable gasoline engine came. Audi, While Right diesel, was found in Perkins... However, the 2,7-liter four-cylinder engine evolved. only 65 hp, was "rough" and had an unpleasant sound. Thus, in 1979, Volkswagen engineers joined us. two other diesel cylinders from Golf, The 1,6-liter four-cylinder engine became 2,4-liter six-cylinder and 75 horses.

1983, new look and more power

Spring 1983 it was time for first restyling for LT. For more power came six-cylinder turbodiesel, originally from 102 CVand the Audi engine was replaced by a 90 hp six-cylinder engine. A completely new dashboard overrated cockpit. In addition, the range has been expanded byLT 50 and long wheelbase (3.650 mm) for chassis and pickup.

Two years later Volkswagen LT 55 increased range up to 5,6 tons and entered there four-wheel drive activated from the salon. The first version, developed by Sülzer, was based on the LT40 or LT45 version with a long wheelbase and 6-cylinder engines, with single wheels on the rear axle and other modifications of the (raised) chassis and axles.

Constant evolution

1985 saw the introduction of 2,4-liter in-line six-cylinder diesel engines. In 1991, the naturally aspirated diesel engine was abandoned because it did not have enough power to 4 × 4 gearboxhowever, most all-wheel drive LTs were equipped with 6-cylinder petrol engines with a capacity of 90 hp. or with more powerful 6-cylinder turbodiesels with 102 hp. Steyr Puch, built in Austria Noriker based on Volkswagen LT, but a limited number was produced. LT with four-wheel drive was only produced everywhere. 1.250 samples.

1993, new aesthetic solutions and new engines

In the spring of 1993 there was another aesthetic change, with new plastic elements in the radiator grille and taillights. Diesel engines have been replaced by a more modern version: DW and DV were replaced by the ACT and ACL intercooled engines respectively.

Finally, the engine cover was replaced with a new version that had a hole in front which made it possible to check the coolant without opening the entire engine cover. V turbo diesel engine with intercooler, Led to power 95 hp.

Almost 500 thousand pieces in 21 years

в 1996, Ben twenty-one years from the moment of the debut the first LT, the time has come to change the generation. Unlike what happened in the XNUMX's, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen VC they agreed on one  the joint venture that spawned the second generation LT.

The Volkswagen version shared the body with the new Stuttgart Sprinter, while the engines and transmissions were Volkswagen-specific. An agreement between the two German manufacturers, twenty-one years later, marked the end of the first LT; in 1996 the last copy was released, number 471.221... Crafter was born a few years later, but that's another story.