USA Model Summary for 1988 VW Vanagons
Only three models of the Vanagon were built for model year 1988. These were:
Despite what some references may say, there were no 1988 model year Vanagon Syncros in the USA. Some 1987 leftover Syncros were available and sold during 1988.
Prices shown in individual descriptions are MSRP figures from actual window stickers and other reference sources. Where a range of prices is shown, this depicts the range of MSRPs found. The price ranges are not an attempt to indicate a selling price range. These varied prices are likely the result of mid-year price changes from VW.
Colors available
Pastel White
Flash Silver Metalic
Dove Blue Metallic
Titian Red Metallic
Wolfram Grey Metallic
(Not all colors available on all models.)
Distinguishing features
There are a several exterior features to distinguish an '88 from the earlier vans. The 1988 has carryover features from 1987 including:
- 2 Black plastic front grills (common to 1986-1991)
- Rectangular primary headlights, separate square high beam lights (common to 1986-1991)
- "Volkswagen" with VW logo on left side of rear hatch
Differences include:
- Plastic vents at the rear of the rear side windows
- Larger VW logo in center of upper front grill
- Large VW logo in the center of the rear hatch in place of the previous "Volkswagen" with VW logo on left side of rear hatch
- Black aero styled bumpers. There are no matching rocker panels.
- All '88 Vanagons adopted the lowered ride height of the 1987½ Wolfsburg Edition.
- Some '88 models had A/C controls mounted in the overhead A/C console like the '87s and some had controls mounted in the dash near the radio.
The 1988½ Wolfsburg Edition was the first Vanagon with the rocker panels to match the aero styled bumpers. These bumpers and rocker panels are metallic grey. This model also has body colored exterior mirrors.
Categories key
Passenger vans
Syncros
Full campers
Partial campers
Wolfsburgs
Standard Features:
$16,240 - $16,590
Drivetrain
2.1 liter water-cooled horizontally opposed engine
Digifant fuel injection
90HP @ 4800RPM, 117FtLbs @ 3200RPM
4 speed manual transmission
Rear wheel drive
Electronic ignition
Dynamic oil pressure system
Thermostatically controlled 2-speed electric radiator fan
Suspension, wheels, steering
Independent front & rear suspension
Power assisted brakes, 10.9" front solid disks, 9.9" rear drums
Power assisted rack & pinion steering
Steel belted radial tires, size 185/R14C
14" steel wheels, 5.5" wide
Aero wheel covers
Exterior, body
(Not available in Wolfram Grey Metallic)
Dual outside mirrors
Sliding side door
Sliding side windows
Opening wing windows
Tinted glass
Electric rear window defogger
Intermittent front windshield wipers
Black aero styled bumpers
Front spoiler with brake cooling inlets
Wheelbase:
96.9"
2.46 meters
Front track:
62.4"
1.585 meters
Rear track:
61.8"
1.57 meters
Length:
179.9"
4.57 meters
Width:
72.6"
1.844 meters
Height:
75.9"
1.93 meters
Ground clearance:
6.3"
16 cm
Turning circle:
(curb-to-curb)35.8 ft
10.91 meters
Interior
Padded instrument panel
Speedometer with trip odometer
Tachometer
Fuel level gauge
Coolant temperature gauge
Digital LCD clock
Illuminated vanity mirror
Illuminated lockable glove box
Deluxe front bucket seats with fold-down adjustable armrests
Two passenger center bench seat with fold-down armrests
Three passenger rear bench seat
Velour upholstery
Full carpeting
Cloth inlays in door panels
Flow through ventilation with air exits at the rear of rear-side windows
Cargo capacity:
Behind rear seat:
49.7 ft3
1.408 meters3
Rear seat down:
92.9 ft3
2.633 meters3
Rear seat down, center seat removed
201 ft3
5.696 meters3
Miscellaneous
15.9 Gallon fuel tank
16 MPG EPA city estimate
18 MPG EPA highway estimate
Optional Features:
3 speed automatic transmission (reduces EPA MPG to 16-city, 17-hwy)
$495
Air conditioning with outlets in front & rear
$990
AM/FM cassette radio with anti-theft feature
$625
Rear window wiper with intermittent feature
$180
Power heated side rearview mirrors
$180
Power package with power front windows & door locks including side door and rear hatch
$450
Cruise control
$220
Alloy wheels, 5-spoke, 14" x 6" wide, with 205/70 R14 tires
$440
Weekender package (rear seats folds into bed, cushion over engine)
$295
Radio prep with 4 speakers & antenna
$215
Metallic Paint
$375
Standard Features:
$21,180 - $21,690
Drivetrain
2.1 liter water-cooled horizontally opposed engine
Digifant fuel injection
90HP @ 4800RPM, 117FtLbs @ 3200RPM
4 speed manual transmission
Rear wheel drive
Electronic ignition
Dynamic oil pressure system
Thermostatically controlled 2-speed electric radiator fan
Suspension, wheels, steering
Independent front & rear suspension
Power assisted brakes, 10.9" front solid disks, 9.9" rear drums
Power assisted rack & pinion steering
Steel belted radial tires, size 185/R14C
14" steel wheels, 5.5" wide
Aero wheel covers
Exterior, body
(Not available in Flash Silver Metallic)
Dual outside mirrors
Sliding side door
Sliding side windows
Opening wing windows
Tinted glass
Electric rear window defogger
Intermittent front windshield wipers
Black aero styled bumpers
Front spoiler with brake cooling inlets
Pop-top roof with cargo carrier
Wheelbase:
96.6"
2.45 meters
Front track:
61.7"
1.57 meters
Rear track:
61.4"
1.56 meters
Length:
179.9"
4.57 meters
Width:
72.6"
1.844 meters
Height:
80.9"
2.05 meters
Ground clearance:
6.3"
16 cm
Turning circle:
(curb-to-curb)35.8 ft
10.912 meters
Interior
Padded instrument panel
Speedometer with trip odometer
Tachometer
Fuel level gauge
Coolant temperature gauge
Digital LCD clock
Illuminated vanity mirror
Illuminated lockable glove box
Deluxe front bucket seats with fold-down adjustable armrests & swivel bases
Two passenger rear bench seat (folds into bed, cushion over engine)
Velour upholstery
Removable carpeting
Cloth inlays in door panels
Flow through ventilation with air exits at the rear of rear-side windows
110VAC electrical outlet
Circuit breaker
Electrical cable
LPG stove
LPG tank
Sink & water storage tank
Fire extinguisher
Clothes locker/ 3 door closet
Overhead storage cabinet
Fluorescent light
Privacy curtains
Removeable screen for hatch door
Skylight
LPG/110VAC/12VDC refrigerator
Two store-away tables
Cargo capacity:
Behind rear seat:
49.7 ft3
1.408 meters3
Miscellaneous
15.9 Gallon fuel tank mounted under center of van
16 MPG EPA city estimate
18 MPG EPA highway estimate
Optional Features:
Air conditioning with outlets in rear only
$990
AM/FM cassette radio with anti-theft feature
$625
Rear window wiper with intermittent feature
$180
Power heated side rearview mirrors
$180
Power package with power front windows & door locks including side door and rear hatch
$450
Cruise control
$220
Alloy wheels, 5-spoke, 14" x 6" wide, with 205/70 R14 tires
$440
Radio prep with 4 speakers & antenna
$215
Center swivel bucket seat with storage compartment base & armrests
$???
1988½ Vanagon GL Wolfsburg
Limited Edition
Standard Features:
$18,590 - $19,090
Drivetrain
2.1 liter water-cooled horizontally opposed engine
Digifant fuel injection
95HP @ 4800RPM, 117FtLbs @ 3200RPM
4 speed manual transmission
Rear wheel drive
Electronic ignition
Dynamic oil pressure system
Thermostatically controlled 2-speed electric radiator fan
Suspension, wheels, steering
Independent front & rear suspension
Power assisted brakes, 10.9" front solid disks, 9.9" rear drums
Power assisted rack & pinion steering
Steel belted radial tires, size 205/70 R14
14" alloy wheels, 6" wide
Exterior, body
Paint choices: Orly Blue Metallic, Bordeaux Red Metallic, Flash Silver Metallic, Wolfram Grey Metallic
Power heated exterior mirrors, painted to match body color
Sliding side door
Sliding side windows
Opening wing windows
Tinted glass
Electric rear window defogger
Intermittent front windshield wipers
Rear window wiper with intermittent feature
Metallic grey aero styled bumpers
Metallic grey rocker panels
Front spoiler with brake cooling inlets
Wheelbase:
96.9"
2.461 meters
Front track:
62.4"
1.585 meters
Rear track:
61.8"
1.57 meters
Length:
179.9"
4.57 meters
Width:
72.6"
1.844 meters
Height:
76"
1.93 meters
Ground clearance:
6.3"
16 cm
Turning circle:
(curb-to-curb)35.8 ft
10.91 meters
Interior
Padded instrument panel
Speedometer with trip odometer
Digital LCD clock
Fuel level gauge
Coolant temperature gauge
Illuminated vanity mirror
Illuminated lockable glove box
Deluxe front bucket seats with fold-down adjustable armrests
Two rear-facing removeable seats behind front bucket seats
Storage trays between front seats & rear-facing seats
Three passenger rear bench seat with 3 headrests & Weekender Package (seat folds into bed, cushion over engine)
Velour upholstery
Full carpeting
Deluxe door panels with velour top and vinyl bottom
Folding side table
5 cupholders
Fluorescent light
Snap on privacy curtains
Power door locks including side door and rear hatch
Cargo capacity:
Behind rear seat:
49.7 ft3
1.408 meters3
Miscellaneous
15.9 Gallon fuel tank mounted under center of van
16 MPG EPA city estimate
18 MPG EPA highway estimate
Optional Features:
3 speed automatic transmission (reduces EPA MPG to 16-city, 17-hwy)
$495
Air conditioning with outlets in front & rear
$990
AM/FM cassette radio with anti-theft feature
$625
Power front windows
$225
Cruise control
$220
Radio prep with 4 speakers & antenna
$215
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