Volkswagen EuroVan

Throughout the 1970s and '80s and even into the '90s, Volkswagen had a history of replacing its rear-engined vehicles with more modern front-engined models. It happened with the Beetle, which was replaced by the front-engined Dasher and the Rabbit (later known as the Passat and Golf, respectively). And it happened with VW's Vanagon, a rear-engined van that was replaced in 1993 with the front-engined EuroVan.

About six inches longer than the Vanagon it replaced, the EuroVan was powered by a 109-horsepower, 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that drove the front wheels. Standard equipment included a five-speed manual transmission, while a four-speed automatic was optional.

The EuroVan was availabe in several versions, all of which seated seven passengers. The EuroVan CL was the base model and came with power brakes, bucket seats, power steering, and a rear window defroster. The GL version added air conditioning, power heated mirrors, and a cassette player. The MV version came with swiveling bucket seats, a swing-up table, and rear seats that folded into a bed.

A longer Camper version, with a built-in kitchen, was also available. Only the Camper versions were sold for a few years starting in 1995, although a GLS version with a 140-horsepower V6 engine was introduced in 1999. In 2001, the EuroVan's V6 engine received a boost in power, to 201 hp.

Standard features increased as well through the 1990s and into the early 2000s. Such features as cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, automatic climate control, traction control, and a keyless entry system were added to the standard package. The EuroVan would continue to be offered through the 2003 model year, when it was discontinued due to slow sales.

In its early years the EuroVan was criticized for being underpowered, but as horsepower grew those criticisms lessened. Overall, drivers were impressed with the EuroVan, citing its roominess and uniqueness as positive aspects, and many were sorry to see it go when it was eventually dropped from Volkswagen's lineup.
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