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The Volkswagen Type 2 (T3) was the third generation of the Volkswagen Transporter and was marketed under various nameplates worldwide – including as the Transporter or Caravelle in Europe, Microbus in South Africa, and as the Vanagon in North and South America. Larger and heavier than its predecessor, the T2, – and with a more squared and less rounded styling – the T3 was manufactured in Germany from 1979 until 1990. Production of the 2WD (mostly for official use, like postal service or German army) continued until 1992 at Puch in Graz/Austria, where all 4WDs had been built. South African production of the T3 continued, for that market only, until 2003. The T3 was the final generation of rear-engined Volkswagens. ==History== Following the T2, the T2/3 - Transporter 2 Generation 3 (and known as the T3's) - initially featured air-cooled and subsequently water-cooled engines. Versions produced in South Africa from 1990 until 2003 featured an Audi five-cylinder engine. Volkswagen marketed the Westfalia camper variant throughout the T3 production, with features including a pop up roof, refrigerator, sink, and stove. Examples built between 1980 and 1985 featured round headlights and chrome-plated steel bumpers with plastic end-caps. Air-cooled models (1980 to mid-1983) lack the lower grill above the radiator of the water-cooled models, except on models with factory air conditioning. 1986 model year vehicles received revisions including a tachometer, more fabric choices, redesigned air conditioner, larger water-cooled engine with a more advanced engine management system, and redesigned transmissions including an optional Syncro four-wheel drive. Exterior changes include rectangular headlights (on selected models) and different paint options. Alloy wheels, larger and squarer plastic bumpers with trim along the rocker panels were optional, and standard equipment on Wolfsburg Edition vans. For 1990 and 1991 model years, a "Carat" trim level was available which included all available options (except Westfalia conversion and 4WD). All 1980 and some 1981 models had eight welded-in metal slats covering the engine ventilation passages behind the rear windows. Later models had black plastic 16-slat covers that slotted in at the top and screwed down at the bottom. During the 1980s, the U.S. Army and Air Force in Germany used T3's as administrative (non-tactical) vehicles. In military use the vehicle's nomenclature was "Light Truck, Commercial". Porsche has created a version called B32 in a limited edition. The van, based on the luxurious Carat model, was equipped with the 3.2 liter Carrera engine and was originally developed to support Porsche's testing activities in Algeria. Ten of these were built, with some sold by Porsche to special customers. Porsche themselves also used the Porsche-engined bus to transport staff rapidly. Top speed was around , although Porsche only claimed to ensure that the numbers could be replicated with nine people in the car and with the air conditioning on full blast.〔 Oettinger has developed a six-cylinder version called WBX6. The engine is derived from the "Wasserboxer" engine and has many common parts with it. The development of the engine was originally contracted to Oettinger by VW. Oettinger bought the rights when VW decided not to use it. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Volkswagen Type 2 (T3)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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