Volkswagen T4 Transporter Auto-Sleeper Topaz Camper Model History
Circa 1994 Volkswagen introduced a long wheel base T4 Transporter to the range. This enabled Auto-sleepers to replace their existing short wheel base Autosleeper Trophy model (with Autosleeper elongated rear body shell) with a new long wheel base version called the Autosleeper Topaz. As with the Trophy model the Topaz had a solid high top roof and the interior had a seating / bedroom area behind the cab seats and then further back a kitchen area with sink, fridge, and two burner gas hob and then at the rear the shower and bathroom area with fold down washbasin and cassette toilet. Note that during the production period of this model various changes were made to the specification including changes to upholstery materials, electrical control panels, furniture design etc. Where possible I will try and show examples of any updates and the approximate date of any change in the descriptions below.
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1) VW T4 Autosleeper Topaz hightop roof version engine options and approx price (inclusive road tax and VAT when new in standard form):
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Petrol Watercooled 2.0 Litre, 4 Cylinder, AAC Otto Motor (1968cc), 62 Kw 84 PS, 5 speed manual gearbox, wheelbase 3320 mm, £?
Petrol Watercooled 2.5 Litre, 5 Cylinder, ACU / AEN 95 onwards Otto Motor (2461cc), 81 Kw 110 PS, 5 speed manual gearbox, wheelbase 3320 mm, £?
Turbo Diesel Watercooled 1.9 Litre TD, 4 Cylinder, ABL (1896cc), 50 Kw 68 PS, 5 speed manual gearbox, wheelbase 3320 mm, £?
Diesel Watercooled 2.4 Litre, 5 Cylinder, AAB (2370cc), 57 Kw 78 PS, 5 speed manual gearbox, wheelbase 3320 mm, £?
Turbo Diesel Watercooled TDI 2.5 Litre, 5 Cylinder, ACV 1995 onwards (2461cc) 75 Kw 102 PS 5 speed manual gearbox, wheelbase 3320 mm, £?
2) Dimensions
Length 5065 mm
Height 2540 mm
Width (excl mirrors) 1935 mm
Width (incl mirrors) 2202 mm
3) Volkswagen T4 Transporter Autosleeper Topaz Colour Options
As far as I know the VW Auto-sleeper Topaz was initially only available in 1 colour.
T7T7 Grey White R902 (Grauweiß) (with white roof)
Circa 1996 four new colours were available:
E2E2 Nebio Blue Metallic (LL5Y) (Nebioblau Metallic)
X8X8 Friesian Green (LL6T) (Friesengrün)
W7W7 Dragon Green Pearl Effect (LC6P) (Dragongreen Perleffekt)
H7H7 Paprika Red (LK3A) (Paprikarot)
Circa 1997 another colour was available:
N7N7 Elegance Green Metallic (LB6N) (Elegancegrün Metallic)
Circa 2000 another colour was available:
F3F3 Indian Blue (LL5M) (IndienBlau)
Circa 2001 another colour was available:
8E8E Reflex Silver Metallic (LA7W) (Reflexsilber Metallic)
Circa 2002 another colour was available:
Wheat Beige Metallic LD1W
4) Volkswagen T4 Transporter Autosleeper Topaz Furniture Specification
The Volkswagen T4 Transporter Autosleeper Topaz layout consisted of:
The first photo above shows the 1994 Autosleeper Topaz layout and the second photos shows the different roof locker configuration of the later circa 1998 vans.
Materials Used:
Initially in 1994 the following materials were used:
Cushions - Manadu 31 Prima
Curtains - Antionette Chintz Backcoated
Carpets - Chieftain Anthracite
Lining Material - Dark blue velour, beige leatherette, ivory leatherette.
Units - Light European Oak
Unit Work Surfaces - Light European Oak
Shower lining - Atlas
Shower Curtain - Hadida Savoy Beige
Later models used different materials which I will add when information is available.
A) Fully adjustable luxury swivelling driver and passenger cab seats upholstered in same material as rear seats.
B) Side sliding door.
C) Inward facing bench seat which converts to longitudinal single bed using A. Seat can be adjusted for rake and has front opening lockers (some with storage baskets).
D) Forward facing seat which converts to longitudinal single bed using A) (1850 mm x (590 mm offside or 530 mm nearside)), Alternatively A), C) and D) combine to form longitudinal double bed (1850 mm x 1465 mm). The brochure for the 2003 model shows a larger bed size of longitudinal single bed using A) (1780 mm x 560 mm offside and 1854 mm x 560 mm nearside), Alternatively A), C) and D) combine to form longitudinal double bed (1780 mm x 1475 mm).
Over the production cycle of the Autosleeper Topaz various different upholstery materials were used including:
Circa 1994 onwards:
Circa 1998 onwards:
Circa 2000 onwards:
E) Stainless steel sink and drainer with mixer tap. Sink has hot and cold water.
Below the sink is a “tilt” tolerant Electrolux RM4213 three way fridge with freezer compartment.
Above sink unit are overhead storage lockers.
F) Two burner Spinflo Mk12 stainless steel cooker hob and grill.
G) Wardrobe inside bathroom with gas storage below (Gas locker accessible through tailgate).
H) Shower / toilet compartment is entered through the space saving sliding doors and is also accessible from the rear through door inside the tailgate. Shower and wash basin have hot and cold water.
Bathroom comprises shower mixer tap, Thetford C1 cassette toilet (later models used Thetford C3 cassette toilet) , drop down hand basin and mirror.
I) Thermostatically controlled Propex blown air heating system which is flued to exterior of vehicle. Later models used the Eberspacher Airtronic D2 Heater.
J) Offset dinette table. Stored behind the backrest of the forward facing seat when not in use. Cranked leg stored in the base of the drawer of the offside bed box.
K) Main table. Stored behind the offside settee backrest when not in use.
Other features include:
Overcab locker.
Early models had a three locker configuration and models post circa 1998 had a single locker.
Full carpeting throughout.
Carver Cascade 2GE water heater with mains hook up facility fitted inside the offside bed box. Later models used the Trumatic Ultrastore water heater.
Zig X3 Battery charger behind panel under sink. Later models used may have used Zig X-7 / Zig X70 / CEC (Plug In Systems Ltd) Inter-Power CT/12A charger and power supply unit depending on year.
Split charging system with second battery.
Mains electric hook up with safety protection via RCCD circuit breaker and two MCB’s in cupboard under cooker unit.
Zig electrical control panel with water level gauge, individual fuses for each electrical appliance, master switches for 12 volt lighting system and water pump, a 12 volt outlet socket and a light indicating when fridge is operating on 12 volts. Situated above the bathroom door. Model of Zig unit varies depending on year but could be MC-2000 or MC-3000m
Buses from circa 2000 had a different Auto-Sleepers control panel.
68 Litre (15 gallon) fresh water tank for pressurised water system with electrically pumped shower and water taps. 2003 brochure shows fresh water tank capacity has increased to 77 litre.
34 Litre (7 1/2 gallon) grey waste water tank. 2003 brochure shows waste water tank capacity has increased to 70 litre.
Cassette window blinds with fly screens.
Full lighting is provided throughout, there is even a mains light.
12 volt and 240 volt sockets strategically positioned.
Rear seat tree point inertia restraint strap on forward facing seat.
Head rests on both cab seats.
Fire extinguisher.
Intermittent wipe and two speed wipers.
Rear windscreen wash wipe.
Padded steering wheel.
Two courtesy lights.
Thermally lined curtains.
Specially selected seat fabrics with fire retardant foam.
Handcrafted edging on all cabinet work.
Tableware for four stored in overhead locker.
Glassware for four stored in locker next to fridge.
15 inch white Taurus wheel trims. 2003 Sales brochure shows alloys as standard.
5) Options available at extra cost included:
In place of the overcab storage lockers an overcab bed (1918 mm x 1130 mm) could be specified instead.
For later models an Omnivent Electric Extractor Fan was an optional extra.
6) Volkswagen T4 Transporter Autosleeper Topaz Hightop Roof Specification
Fully insulated roof.
Four way opening roof vent (with night blind and fly screen) for fresh air above kitchen area.
Four way opening roof vent (with fly screen) for fresh air above shower area.
7) Volkswagen T4 Transporter Autosleeper Topaz Side Stripes and Logos
There was normally a small blue AS logo on the front of the vehicle and a burgundy Topaz logo on the side of the front wings. Also there was a burgundy Auto-sleeper logo on the rear tailgate.
The coachline stripes on the side were painted on and for the early model VW T4 Topaz they were Peugeot Blue Galaxy (Paint Code 1427).
Roof coachline stripes - grey burgundy pinstripe 1/2 inch, white /red/white 5/16 inch,
Coachline gutter - Blue 3/4 inch
Later models had different coloured stripes and I will try and add more information when it becomes available.
The roof had stripes at the front, rear and side and an auto-sleeper logo on the front and Topaz logo on the rear as shown below:
8) Links to Volkswagen T4 Transporter Autosleeper Topaz Camper Owners Instruction Manuals, Sales Brochures and Price Lists
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VW Volkswagen T4 Autosleeper Topaz Camper Sales Brochures Prospekt Download
1994 VW T4 Transporter Volkswagen Motorcaravan Model Range (Includes Autotrail, Autosleeper, Autohomes, Holdsworth, Swift and Compass ) Sales Brochure (PDF Format)
1995 VW T4 Transporter Volkswagen Motorcaravan Model Range (Includes Autotrail, Autosleeper, Autohomes, Holdsworth, Swift and Compass ) Sales Brochure (PDF Format)
1996 VW T4 Transporter Autosleeper Model Range (Includes Autosleeper Topaz, Trooper, Trident and Clubman models) Sales Brochure (PDF Format)
1996 VW T4 Transporter Autosleeper Topaz Sales Brochure (PDF Format)
1996 VW T4 Transporter Volkswagen Motorcaravan Model Range (Includes Autotrail, Autosleeper, Autohomes, Cockburn Holdsworth, Swift and Compass ) Sales Brochure (PDF Format)
2001 VW T4 Transporter Volkswagen Motorcaravan Model Range (Includes Auto-sleeper, Bilbos, Reimo and Compass ) Sales Brochure (PDF Format)
2002 VW T4 Transporter Volkswagen Motorcaravan Model Range (Includes Auto-sleeper, Bilbos, Reimo and Compass ) Sales Brochure (PDF Format)
Nov 2002 Autosleeper Model Range Weights and Dimensional Date Brochure including VW, Ford and Peugeot (PDF Format)
2003 VW T4 Transporter Volkswagen Motorcaravan Model Range (Includes Auto-sleeper, Bilbos, Reimo and Compass) Sales Brochure (PDF Format)
2003 VW T4 Transporter Autosleeper Model Range (Includes Autosleeper Trident LE, Trooper LE, Topaz LE, Clubman Anniversary LE and Gatcombe LE models) Sales Brochure (PDF Format)
VW Volkswagen T4 Autosleeper Topaz Camper Price Lists Download
Download Nov 2002 Autosleeper Model Range Price List including VW, Ford and Peugeot (PDF Format)
Download Feb 2003 VW T4 Transporter Autosleeper Model Range Price List (PDF Format)
VW Volkswagen T4 Autosleeper Topaz Camper Owners Instruction Manual Handbook Download
1994 VW T4 Transporter Autosleeper Topaz Owners Instruction User Manual and Wiring Diagram (PDF Format)
2003 VW T4 Transporter Autosleeper Topaz Owners Instruction User Manual and Wiring Diagram (PDF Format)
VW Volkswagen T4 Autosleeper Topaz Camper Magazine Articles
Download 1994 Autosleeper Magazine Advert Featuring VW T4 Topaz (And Ford Transit Duetto and Omega)
Download 1995 VW T4 Autosleeper Magazine (Includes VW Trident, VW Trooper, VW Topaz, VW Clubman and VW Trophy (as well as other non VW models such as Peugeot Leisure, Harmony, Symphony and Executive, Ford Duetto, Ameythst and Omega, Renault Rimini, Rapport and Recro (PDF Format)
Download 1997 Autosleeper Topaz Magazine Review
Download 1998 VW T4 Autosleeper Magazine (Includes VW Trident, VW Trooper, VW Topaz, VW Clubman and VW Medallion (as well as other non VW models such as Peugeot Harmony, Symphony, Pescara, Pollensa, Executive and Talisman, Ford Flair, Duetto, Ameythst, Excelsior and Legend, Mercedes-Benz Montana and Medallion (PDF Format)
Download 1999 VW T4 Autosleeper Magazine (Includes VW Trident, VW Trooper, VW Topaz, VW Clubman and VW Medallion (as well as other non VW models such as Peugeot Harmony, Symphony, Symbol, Pescara, Pollensa, Ravenna, Executive and Talisman GX, Ford Duetto, Ameythst, Excelsior, Legend, Pollensa, Pescara and Ravenna, Mercedes-Benz Montana and Medallion (PDF Format)
Download August 1999 Autosleeper Topaz Magazine Review
Download July 2003 VW T4 Transporter Autosleeper New Limited Edition Model - Trident LE, Trooper LE, Topaz LE, Clubman Anniversary LE and Gatcombe LE Magazine Aricle with Prices (PDF Format)
For loads more VW Volkswagen T4 Autosleeper Topaz Camper Downloads CLICK HERE
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