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by Autocar 8 April 2022 Follow @@autocar Share
How we test cars
The increasing prevalence of bolder sport styling on new commercial vehicles might simply be evidence that vans, lorries and pick-up trucks inevitably follow where market trends for passenger cars lead.
This week’s road test subject, however, suggests that something more interesting could be afoot. Some buyers of these super-functional, hard-working utility vehicles might be ready for more serious pseudo-performance van derivatives, right out of the showroom, than they have hitherto been offered. They might even be ready to pay surprisingly high prices for them.
Front bumper design looks aggressive from a distance, but up close it’s pretty obvious how little of it provides necessary airflow. Would something subtler have been better? Perhaps.
The Transporter Sportline is the new range-topping version of Volkswagen’s mid-sized van. Having been added to the Transporter range in 2021 shortly after a mid-life facelift for the T6-generation vehicle dubbed the T6.1, the Sportline adds more than a few tokenistic performance-aping exterior styling touches. Its specification includes 18in alloy wheels with performance tyres, lowered sports suspension and part-leather sports seats, as well as the dinky roof spoiler and eye-catching front bumper pictured on these pages.
So what are we to make of the idea of a 2.1-tonne utility monocab that wears hot hatch garb at least semi-seriously? Is this a real attempt at a cargo carrier with a little added driver appeal? Or is it simply a dose of visual razzle-dazzle for the entrepreneur who wants the world to know his bathroom-fitting business is doing well? And whichever it is, does that have implications for how functional or useful this vehicle is in its primary purpose?
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The Volkswagen Transporter line-up at a glance
The Transporter range is sprawling. We’ve listed only Kombi crew vans like our test car above, but regular panel vans are cheaper, and there are Shuttle nine-seaters too, plus the related Volkswagen Volkswagen Caravelle and California.
Verdict Model tested: Rating:
Volkswagen Transporter
GoodStill a sensible, practical, super-versatile vehicle at heartExtra technology and niceties in the cabin are welcomeGrips and corners surprisingly well on smooth roadsBadDoesn’t offer much more to the interested driver than any other T6.1Open loadbay brings some refinement problemsCould easily cost £60,000 with some options, and that’s too much
TECHNICAL SPECS
Model tested: Transporter Sportline Kombi SWB Black Edition Price: £59,460 Price as tested: £59,790 Engine: 4 cyls in line, 1968cc, twin-turbocharged, diesel Transmission: 7-speed automatic Driveline layout: Front-engine, front-wheel drive Model tested Transporter Sportline Kombi SWB Black Edition Price £59,460 Price as tested £59,790 View all specs and rivals Engine 4 cyls in line, 1968cc, twin-turbocharged, diesel Transmission 7-speed automatic Driveline layout Front-engine, front-wheel drive Power 201bhp at 4000rpm Torque 332lb ft at 1400-2250rpm 0-62mph 9.1sec Top speed 126mph Kerb weight (DIN) 2068kg (claimed), 2108kg (tested) Fuel economy 37.7mpg (claimed), 32.0mpg (tested) CO2 199-213g/km Rivals Ford Transit Custom Mercedes-Benz V-Class Power 201bhp at 4000rpm Torque 332lb ft at 1400-2250rpm 0-62mph 9.1sec Top speed 126mph Kerb weight (DIN) 2068kg (claimed), 2108kg (tested) Fuel economy 37.7mpg (claimed), 32.0mpg (tested) CO2 199-213g/km Rivals Ford Transit Custom Mercedes-Benz V-Class