Wolfsburg Weekender: What Does That Mean?

The "Wolfsburg" was a special edition that VW offered on many vehicle models, not just the Vanagon. For instance,  Wolfsburg edition Jettas and Cabriolets have been offered throughout the years. With regard to Vanagon models specifically, the term "Wolfsburg edition" means many different things depending on the year and model of Vanagon.

Hard-top Wolfsburg Edition Vanagon: There were Wolfsburg models offered in the many years of the Vanagon hard-top. The '87-'89 Wolfsburg edition hard-top Vanagon has a flip-up table and two quick-release, rear facing seats behind the front seats (in lieu of the forward facing bench seat commonly found in non-Wolfsburg Vanagon hard-tops). All Wolfsburg edition hard-top Vanagons from '87-'89 have a full curtain set that snaps in place (no tracks). Also, all of these models have the rear seat that folds into a bed and the accompanying rear cushion. The non-Wolfsburg edition Vanagon hard-top did not necessarily come with a folding rear seat, although most did. In 1990 and 1991, the Wolfsburg edition was replaced by the Carat, which has the same table, jump seat, and bed layout. The Carat models came with all of the creature comfort options—A/C, power door locks, power windows, cruise control—whereas the option levels of the various years of Wolfsburg edition hard-tops varied. All models were available in either 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transaxle.

Pop-top Wolfsburg Edition Vanagon: There were many different Wolfsburg edition models available with a pop-top. For example, in 1984 there were Wolfsburg edition full campers with a higher trim level and two-tone paint job, but were otherwise identical to a non-Wolfsburg full camper. In '85, '86, and '87, a special edition called the Wolfsburg Weekender was offered in both 2WD and 4WD (Syncro). That model has a pop-top and upstairs bed, like all Westy full campers from '80-'91, but no fridge, stove, sink, or cabinet assembly. Instead, the rear seat is full width to accomodate three adults (rather than the shorter seat in full campers that only accomodates two). Behind the driver's seat, the Wolfsburg Weekender has a rear facing seat with storage underneath. These particular models also came factory-equipped with a 2nd battery system and an all-electric cooler that sat behind the passenger seat and was held down to the floor with two thumb screws. In 1990 and 1991, the Wolfsburg Weekender was replaced by the Multivan (MV) model. The MV model has an almost identical interior layout as the Wolfsburg Weekender: same upstairs bed arrangement, same cabinet in the left rear corner, same full-width bench seat. But the rest of the interior (and, in fact, the trim level) is identical to the Carat. And, similar to the Carat, the MV came fully equipped with every factory option (unlike the Wolfsburg Weekender, with widely varied options). Both the 2WD Wolfsburg Weekender and Multivan were available in either 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transaxle. The Wolfsburg Weekender Syncro—as with any Syncro—was not available in automatic. The Multivan was never offered as a Syncro, either.

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