Volkswagen Transporter evolution

The original rear-engined Transporter, sold in passenger form as the Microbus and deluxe Samba Bus, was derived from the Beetle.

The second-generation Bus adopted a one-piece curved windscreen, and a water-cooled engine option arrived from 1972.

The sturdier, boxier T3 was the last rear-engined Transporter, offered in passenger Caravelle and Multivan trims.

The T4 marked VW's shift to a front-mounted water-cooled engine and front-wheel drive, with passenger Caravelle and Multivan versions.

The T5 introduced the first use of a dual-clutch (DSG) transmission in a light commercial vehicle, with the Multivan as its main passenger model.

The T6 (facelifted as the T6.1 in 2019) was based directly on the preceding T5 platform, continuing the Multivan and Caravelle passenger lines.

The seventh generation, sold only as the passenger Multivan, is built on VW's MQB platform and offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.