USA Model Summary for 1990 VW Vanagons |
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Seven models of the Vanagon were built for the US market for model year 1990. These were:
- Vanagon
- Vanagon Syncro
- Vanagon GL
- Vanagon GL Camper
- Vanagon GL Camper Syncro
- Vanagon Carat
- Vanagon Multivan (a new model this year)
- Vanagon Carat, Wolfsburg Limited Edition (may not exist)
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 Metallic
Orly Blue Metallic
Bordeaux Red Metallic
Tornado Red
(Not all colors available on all models.)
There are very few exterior features to distinguish a '90 from the '89 model year. The '90 continued to have black window trim like the '89 models. The 1990 has additional carryover features from 1989 including:
- 2 Black plastic front grills (common to 1986-1991)
- Rectangular primary headlights, separate square high beam lights (common to 1986-1991)
- Large VW logo in center of upper front grill
- Large VW logo in center of rear hatch
- Black plastic vents at the rear of the rear side windows
The 1990 GL, Carat & Multivan (new this year) Vanagons had metallic silver aero-styled bumpers with matching rocker panels and body colored outside rearview mirrors. After an absence of several years, 1990 marked the return of the base Vanagon model that lacks many of the luxury features of the other Vanagons. 1990 was also marked by the absence of a GL Syncro model.
An eighth model, the Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Limited Edition, may have been built. I have seen one 1990 Vanagon Carat in the Tornado Red paint color with Wolfsburg Edition badges, but the van's window sticker did not have a single mention about Wolfsburg Edition. The price on the window sticker was identical to other Carats at $18,670. I've had conversations with the owner of a second Carat with WLE badges, but he is not the original owner and couldn't verify the authenticity of the badges. I have been unable to find any differences between the Carat model and the WLE badged vans, with the potential exception of the Tornado Red paint. I suspect that the badges were added sometime after the van left the factory, and that no WLE model was actually made. If you have any additional information on this subject, I would appreciate hearing from you. Please email me at SyncroHead@aol.com with your comments.
Passenger vans
Syncros
Full campers
Partial campers
Wolfsburgs
$14,080
Standard Features:
Drivetrain
2.1 liter water-cooled horizontally opposed engine
Digifant electronic fuel injection
90HP @ 4800RPM (SAE net), 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
Chrome hub caps
Exterior, body
Paint choices: Pastel White or Flash Silver Metallic
Black metal bumpers with plastic end caps
Dual outside mirrors
Sliding side door
Sliding side windows
Non-opening front wing windows
Electric rear window defogger
Intermittent front windshield wipers
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 edge on instrument panel
Speedometer with trip odometer
Fuel level gauge
Coolant temperature gauge
Analog clock
Illuminated vanity mirror
Illuminated lockable glove box
Front bucket seats
Two rear-facing removeable seats behind front bucket seats
Three passenger rear bench seat with "Weekender" feature
(seat folds into bed, cushion over engine)
Grey tweed upholstery
Rubber floor mats
Cargo capacity:
Behind rear seat:
49.7 ft3
1.408 meters3
Rear seat down:
92.9 ft3
2.633 meters3
Rear seat down, rear-facing seats removed
201 ft3
5.696 meters3
Miscellaneous
15.9 Gallon fuel tank mounted under center of van
18 MPG EPA city estimate
19 MPG EPA highway estimate
Optional Features:
Flash Silver Metallic paint
$390
3 speed automatic transmission (reduces EPA MPG to 17-city, 18-hwy)
$???
$350
Radio preparation with 4 speakers
$???
P89 Option Group
$???
Air conditioning with outlets in front & rear
Tinted glass
Full aero-styled wheel covers
P90 Option Group
$???
Air conditioning with outlets in front & rear
Tinted glass
Full aero-styled wheel covers
Power door locks including side door & rear hatch
Power front windows
Cruise control
Auxiliary battery
$17,605 Standard Features:
Drivetrain
2.1 liter water-cooled horizontally opposed engine
Digifant electronic fuel injection
90HP @ 4800RPM (SAE net), 117FtLbs @ 3200RPM
5 speed (4 + low) manual transmission
Full time All Wheel Drive
Locking rear differential
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
Chrome hub caps
Exterior, body
Paint choices: Pastel White or Flash Silver Metallic
Black metal bumpers with plastic end caps
Dual outside mirrors
Sliding side door
Sliding side windows
Non-opening front wing windows
Electric rear window defogger
Intermittent front windshield wipers
Wheelbase:
96.7"
2.46 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:
78.3"
1.99 meters
Ground clearance:
8.3"
21 cm
Turning circle:
(curb-to-curb)35.8 ft
10.91 meters
Interior
Padded edge on instrument panel
Speedometer with trip odometer
Fuel level gauge
Coolant temperature gauge
Analog clock
Illuminated vanity mirror
Illuminated lockable glove box
Front bucket seats
Two rear-facing removeable seats behind front bucket seats
Three passenger rear bench seat with "Weekender" feature
(seat folds into bed, cushion over engine)
Grey tweed upholstery
Rubber floor mats
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
18.4 Gallon fuel tank mounted above transmission
16 MPG EPA city estimate
16 MPG EPA highway estimate
Optional Features:
Flash Silver Metallic paint
$390
$350
Radio preparation with 4 speakers
$???
P89 Option Group
$???
Air conditioning with outlets in front & rear
Tinted glass
Full aero-styled wheel covers
P90 Option Group
$???
Air conditioning with outlets in front & rear
Tinted glass
Full aero-styled wheel covers
Power door locks including side door & rear hatch
Power front windows
Cruise control
Auxiliary battery
$16,490 Standard Features:
Drivetrain
2.1 liter water-cooled horizontally opposed engine
Digifant fuel injection
90HP @ 4800RPM (SAE net), 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" steel wheels, 5.5" wide
Aero wheel covers
Exterior, body
Paint choices: Pastel White, Orly Blue Metallic, or Bordeaux Red Metallic (burgundy)
Metallic silver aero styled bumpers & rocker panels
Body colored, heated power outside mirrors
Sliding side door
Sliding side windows
Opening wing windows
Tinted glass
Electric rear window defogger
Rear window wiper with intermittent feature
Intermittent front windshield wipers
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
4 speaker radio prep with antenna
Air conditioning with outlets in front & rear
Fresh air vents in rear passenger area (4)
Deluxe front bucket seats with fold-down adjustable armrests
Two passenger center bench seat with fold-down armrests
Three passenger rear bench seat with "Weekender" feature
(seat folds into bed, cushion over engine)
Grey velour upholstery with a small squares pattern
Full carpeting
Cloth inlays in door panels
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 mounted under center of van
18 MPG EPA city estimate
19 MPG EPA highway estimate
Optional Features:
3 speed automatic transmission (reduces EPA MPG to 17-city, 18-hwy)
$???
$350
P91 Option Group
$???
Cruise control
Power door locks including side door and rear hatch
Power front windows
$20,990 Standard Features:
Drivetrain
2.1 liter water-cooled horizontally opposed engine
Digifant electronic fuel injection
90HP @ 4800RPM (SAE net), 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 205/70R14
14" steel wheels, 5.5" wide
Aero wheel covers
Exterior, body
Paint choices: Pastel White, Flash Silver Metallic, or Bordeaux Red Metallic (burgundy)
Black aero styled bumpers
Body colored, heated power outside mirrors
Sliding side door
Sliding side windows with screens
Opening wing windows
Tinted glass
Electric rear window defogger
Rear window wiper with intermittent feature
Intermittent front windshield wipers
Pop-top roof with cargo carrier
Wheelbase:
96.9"
2.46 meters
Front track:
62.4"
1.58 meters
Rear track:
61.8"
1.57 meters
Length:
179.9"
4.57 meters
Width:
72.6"
1.84 meters
Height:
80.9"
2.05 meters
Ground clearance:
7.5"
16 cm
Turning circle:
(curb-to-curb)35.8 ft
10.91 meters
Interior
Padded instrument panel
Speedometer with trip odometer
Tachometer
Digital LCD clock
Fuel level gauge
Coolant temperature gauge
Illuminated vanity mirror
Illuminated lockable glove box
4 speaker radio prep with antenna Air conditioning with outlets in rear only
Fresh air vents in rear passenger area (2)
Deluxe front bucket seats with fold-down adjustable armrests & swivel bases
Two passenger rear bench seat (folds into bed, cushion over engine)
Grey velour upholstery with a small squares pattern
Removable carpeting
Cloth inlays in door panels
Two store-away tables
Sink & water storage tank
LPG/110VAC/12VDC refrigerator
LPG stove
Clothes locker/ 3 door closet
Overhead storage cabinet
Fluorescent light
Privacy curtains
Removeable screen for hatch door
Two person overhead sleeping loft
110VAC electrical outlet
Circuit breaker
Electrical cable
Fire extinguisher
LPG tank
Skylight
Cargo capacity:
Behind rear seat:
49.7 ft3
1.408 meters3
Miscellaneous
15.9 Gallon fuel tank mounted under center of van
18 MPG EPA city estimate
19 MPG EPA highway estimate
Optional Features:
Metallic paint
$390
3 speed automatic transmission (reduces EPA MPG to 17-city, 18-hwy)
$???
$350
P91 Option Group
$???
Cruise control
Power door locks including side door and rear hatch
Power front windows
$25,575 Standard Features:
Drivetrain
2.1 liter water-cooled horizontally opposed engine
Digifant electronic fuel injection
90HP @ 4800RPM (SAE net), 117FtLbs @ 3200RPM
5 speed (4 + low) manual transmission
Full time All Wheel Drive
Locking rear differential
Cruise control
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
Alloy wheels, 5-spoke, 14" x 6" wide
Exterior, body
Paint choices: Pastel White, Flash Silver Metallic, or Bordeaux Red Metallic (burgundy)
Metallic silver aero styled bumpers
Body colored, heated power outside mirrors
Sliding side door
Sliding side windows with screens
Opening wing windows
Tinted glass
Electric rear window defogger
Rear window wiper with intermittent feature
Intermittent front windshield wipers
Pop-top roof with cargo carrier
Wheelbase:
96.7"
2.46 meters
Front track:
61.7"
1.57 meters
Rear track:
61.4"
1.56 meters
Length:
179.9"
4.57 meters
Width:
72.6"
1.84 meters
Height:
82.1"
2.09 meters
Ground clearance:
8.3"
21 cm
Turning circle:
(curb-to-curb)35.8 ft
10.91 meters
Curb weight
4100 lbs
1860 kg
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
Power door locks including side door and rear hatch
4 speaker radio prep with antenna
Air conditioning with outlets in rear only
Fresh air vents in rear passenger area (2)
Deluxe front bucket seats with fold-down adjustable armrests & swivel bases
Two passenger rear bench seat (folds into bed, cushion over engine)
Grey velour upholstery with a small squares pattern
Removable carpeting
Cloth inlays in door panels
Two store-away tables
Sink & water storage tank
LPG/110VAC/12VDC refrigerator
LPG stove
Clothes locker/ 3 door closet
Overhead storage cabinet
Fluorescent light
Privacy curtains
Removeable screen for hatch door
Two person overhead sleeping loft
110VAC electrical outlet
Circuit breaker
Electrical cable
Fire extinguisher
LPG tank
Skylight
Cargo capacity:
Behind rear seat:
49.7 ft3
1.408 meters3
Miscellaneous
18.4 Gallon fuel tank mounted above transmission
16 MPG EPA city estimate
16 MPG EPA highway estimate
Optional Features:
Metallic Paint
$390
$350
Power front windows
$???
$18,670 Standard Features:
Drivetrain
2.1 liter water-cooled horizontally opposed engine
Digifant electronic fuel injection
90HP @ 4800RPM (SAE net), 117FtLbs @ 3200RPM
4 speed manual transmission
Rear wheel drive
Cruise control
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" 5 spoke alloy wheels, 6" wide
Exterior, body
Paint choices: Pastel White, Orly Blue Metallic, or Bordeaux Red Metallic (burgundy)
Body colored, heated power outside mirrors
Sliding side door
Sliding side windows
Opening wing windows
Tinted glass
Electric rear window defogger
Rear window wiper with intermittent feature
Intermittent front windshield wipers
Metalic silver aero style bumpers & rocker panels
Front spoiler with brake cooling inlets
Wheelbase:
96.9"
2.46 meters
Front track:
62.4"
1.58 meters
Rear track:
61.8"
1.57 meters
Length:
179.9"
4.57 meters
Width:
72.6"
1.84 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
Power door locks including side door and rear hatch
4 speaker radio prep with antenna
Air conditioning with outlets in front & rear
Fresh air vents in rear passenger area (4)
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 "Weekender" feature
(seat folds into bed, cushion over engine)
Folding side table
Power front windows
Fluorescent light
Privacy curtains
5 cupholders
Light grey velour upholstery in a small pinstripes pattern
Full carpeting
Cloth inlays in door panels
Cargo capacity:
Behind rear seat:
49.7 ft3
1.408 meters3
Rear seat down:
92.9 ft3
2.633 meters3
Rear seat down, rear-facing seats removed
201 ft3
5.696 meters3
Miscellaneous
15.9 Gallon fuel tank mounted under center of van
17 MPG EPA city estimate
18 MPG EPA highway estimate
Optional Features:
Metallic paint
$390
3 speed automatic transmission (reduces EPA MPG to 14-city, 16-hwy)
$???
$350
$20,670
Standard Features:
Drivetrain
2.1 liter water-cooled horizontally opposed engine
Digifant electronic fuel injection
90HP @ 4800RPM (SAE net), 117FtLbs @ 3200RPM
4 speed manual transmission
Rear wheel drive
Cruise control
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" 5 spoke alloy wheels, 6" wide
Exterior, body
Clearcoat metallic paint
Body colored, heated power outside mirrors
Sliding side door
Sliding side windows with screens
Opening wing windows
Tinted glass
Electric rear window defogger
Rear window wiper with intermittent feature
Intermittent front windshield wipers
Metalic grey aero style bumpers & rocker panels
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:
80.9"
2.055 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
Illuminated vanity mirror
Illuminated lockable glove box
4 speaker radio prep with antenna
Air conditioning with outlets in rear only
Fresh air vents in rear passenger area (4)
Auxiliary rear heater
Deluxe front bucket seats with fold-down adjustable armrests
One passenger rear facing seat behind driver's seat
Two rear-facing removeable seats behind front bucket seats
Storage trays between front seats & rear-facing seats
Three passenger rear bench seat with "Weekender" feature
(seat folds into bed, cushion over engine)
Folding side table
Power front windows
Power door locks including side door and rear hatch
Fluorescent light
Privacy curtains
5 cupholders
Light grey velour upholstery in a small pinstripes pattern
Full carpeting
Cloth inlays in door panels
Removeable screen for hatch door
Two person overhead sleeping loft
Rear clothes locker
Cargo capacity:
Behind rear seat:
49.7 ft3
1.408 meters3
Rear seat down:
92.9 ft3
2.633 meters3
Rear seat down, rear-facing seats removed
201 ft3
5.696 meters3
Miscellaneous
15.9 Gallon fuel tank mounted under center of van
18 MPG EPA city estimate
19 MPG EPA highway estimate
Optional Features:
Metallic paint
$390
3 speed automatic transmission (reduces EPA MPG to 14-city, 16-hwy)
$???
$350
1990 Vanagon Carat, Wolfsburg Limited Edition
$??,??? Existence of this model remains uncertain at the time of this writing. It appears that the only difference between this model and the other 1990 Carats may be the Tornado Red color of the Carat WLE.
If you have any additional information on this subject, I would appreciate hearing from you. Please email me at SyncroHead@aol.com with your comments.
