You may not be able to imagine walking up to your local Volkswagen dealer and ordering a new rear-engined Kombi van like the one pictured below, but if you lived in Brazil, you could.

Volkswagen started producing the Kombi vans in Brazil on 2 September 1957, and is still making them today — making it the longest-produced model in automotive history, according to the firm. However, after 56 years, VW is calling time on the Brazilian T2 Kombi and ceasing production of the model, which is getting a little long in the tooth.

The Kombi Last Edition is a 600-unit special edition model that’s been designed to commemorate the end of Kombi production in Brazil, so to mark the occasion, I thought it would be interesting to compare the current-day Kombi with the model that has since replaced it in Europe, the Transporter T5.

Volkswagen’s Brazil-built T2 Kombi Last Edition alongside a current T5 Transporter Sportline. Hard to believe both vans are in current production!

The Kombi’s 80hp 1.4-litre petrol engine may have a comparable power output to the current base model T5’s 84hp 2.0TDi diesel engine, but the similarity stops there. The present day van offers a whopping 220Nm of peak torque from 1,250-2,500 rpm, whereas the Kombi only offers its 124Nm of peak torque at a fuel-guzzling 3,500rpm.  What’s more, the top of the range T5 offers a jaw-dropping 180hp and 400Nm of torque — figures that couldn’t even be imagined when the Kombi was designed.

The drivetrain changes don’t stop there. While the T5 transmits all of that lovely torque to the front wheels via a slick, modern six or seven-speed gearbox, Kombi drivers have to make do with a somewhat rustic 4-speed gear box and rear-wheel drive.

Fuel economy is not officially specified for the T2 Kombi, but it’s probably fair to assume that this brick-shaped oldster won’t come anywhere near the 37.7 combined mpg figure that Volkswagen specifies for its modern-day sibling.

Long-distance drivers would be well advised to stick with a T5, too — while the modern Transporter can cruise at 70mph all day long, cossetting its occupants in air-conditioned, audio-enhanced luxury, the T2 Kombi has none of these features and will struggle to maintain a solid 70 on the motorway. As a special concession, Volkswagen has pushed the boat out with the specificiation of the Kombi Last Edition, which will include an MP3 sound system “with red LEDs” and auxiliary and USB ports!

Although the Kombi has been hugely popular in Brazil, and its robust simplicity presumably makes it much cheaper and easier to repair than a T5, the T2 isn’t as cheap as you might expect. According to this Autocar review, the T2 Kombis cost £14,800 in Brazil, while T5 Transporters start from £18,085. I’m not sure that’s a big enough discount for such basic technology.

However, there is one area where nothing has changed over the years: practicality. The Kombi’s ability to be both load lugger and people carrier was always one of its defining features and selling points, and this hasn’t changed. Both vans offer a large, flat load area and a sliding door that allows a surprisingly wide range of loads to be carried in the van. Both can be converted into comfortable 9-seaters that are no bigger than a large car, and both can be turned into the compact, flexible campervans that have been the vehicle for so many dream holidays.

The Kombi is a true design classic that has stood the test of time remarkably well. Sadly, the world around it has grown up and got all sophisticated and safe — and much faster moving. I’m not sure it’s more fun, though.