1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208 
Irresistible for any shortlist
Page 71
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Today's LT from Volkswagen is a far cry from the box, in-house,spec of the 1980s and 1990s.The current design was developed with Mercedes Benz, but the cosmetic similarity is where it ends. Under the bonnet it's all V-dub.
At the time of test the LT had just enjoyed a facelift. In 2002 it was more than five years since the LT range replaced its namesake. Out went the forward-control layout with the engine under the seats and a cab which sometimes saw service on MAN's 7.5-tonne range. Replacing it was a more conventional (short) bonneted layout in a body shell shared with Mercedes' Sprinter.
Gone, too, was the range of straight-six engines, which sounded beautiful, but were rather thirsty and suffered from reliability problems as they got older.
Like its cohorts in the van sectorVW offers the Transporter and a scaled down LT at 2.8 tonnes because, as our tester at the time surmised." the secret is to offer exactly the vehicle a potential customer needs".
So the LT of 2002 received its biggest revision since its launch, improving standard specification at unchanged prices, aimed at giving enhanced value for money.
The latest models are identifiable by tinted glass, clear front indicator lenses and new power rating badges. Mainstream options were 2.5-litre five-cylinclerTDi units rated at 82,94 and 107hp and producing 200,240 and 280Nm of torque respectively.The lowest rating replaces the old 74hp Sdi range-opener.
There is also a change at the top of the range, with a 2.8-litre four-pot producing nearly 160hp and 331Nrn replacing the current 128hp unit.That engine is so new you will have to look elsewhere in this issue to read about it — our test featured the baby of the range,the 82hp low-root short-wheelbase model, priced at an attractive £14,490.
The lowdown
So. why would you want a "big" 2.8-tonner?
The obvious answer is that you need the capacity for volume, but not weight. By foregoing nearly 700kg of payload you save £2,230, but can still carry nearly a tonne.The LT32 splits the difference in cost and payload.
Volkswagen's latest round of improved spec per pound, together with the extremely low cost of ownership promised by the warranty and servicing package, makes the LT an irresistible candidate for any short list.
Do yourself a favour, though, and specify the 94hp motor — you won't regret it. • Vehicle: Volkswagen LT28 TDI Tested: 14 March 2002 Specifications Engine: Volkswagen charge-cooled, electronically controlled DI turbo-diesel with catalytic converter and exhaust gas recirculation with five cylinders in line Maximum power: 82hp (61kW) at 3,500rpm Maximum torque: 200Nm (148lbft) at 1,9002,40Orprn Transmission: Five-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels with ratios: 5.05, 2.60, 1.52, 1.00 and 0.78:1; reverse, 4.76:1, and final drive of 4.11:1 Capacity: 2,461cc Design GVW: 2,800kg Payload: 983kg Operational trial results Average speed: 75,2km/h Average fuel consumption (one day Kent route): 31.4rnpg (9.01it/100km).
Current Cap retail: (51-plate) £5,250 (exVAT) List price as tested: £.17,585 (ex-VAT), including basic vehicle, £14,490; air conditioning, £900; rev counter, £85; central locking, £265; electnc windows,E215; electric mirrors, £140; rear step, £85; headlamp washers, £200; phenolic ply load floor, £270; hardboard load space lining, £95; dual airbags, £650; upgraded Isringhausen driver's seat, £190