Volkswagen’s New Van Looks Like A GTI, Minus The Power

Ford may have a long history of selling sporty-looking vans in Europe, but Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles now wants a piece of that action as well. To make it happen, it’s giving the Transporter a new range-topping trim that channels a GTI vibe into a genuinely attractive hauler. With no real business case for a performance-oriented van, however, the Sportline is all show, with no extra go.

Since we mentioned Ford, it’s worth remembering that the latest Transporter is largely based on the Transit Custom. In this new GTI-esque configuration, it receives a beefy body kit available in several flavors. While the images show the five-seat Kombi version, customers can also opt for the panel van. Both body styles are offered in short- and long-wheelbase configurations.

Beyond its meaner styling, this spicy Transporter stands out with exclusive 19-inch wheels that ditch the usual VW logos in favor of Sportline branding. It also gets a lowered sports suspension with Eibach springs, dropping the ride height by 1.1 inches (29 millimeters).

The most daring feature is found at the rear, where a split roof spoiler makes it clear this isn’t your typical workhorse. Up front, the grille’s red accent stripe looks lifted straight from the Polo GTI or Golf GTI. If you’d rather have a true GTI model that hasn’t been sold before, the ID.2 Polo GTI is coming later this year, albeit without a combustion engine.

As the flagship version, the Sportline comes loaded as standard. VW includes everything from matrix LED headlights and roof rails to a heated steering wheel and illuminated metal door sill plates. The GTI-like red finish is contrasted by glossy black accents, including the electrically adjustable, heated mirrors.

Mind you, this isn’t the first time the Transporter has received the Sportline treatment. VW gave the previous-generation T6.1 a more aggressive makeover a few years ago. As with its predecessor, the newcomer leaves the drivetrains untouched. Whether buyers choose diesel, plug-in hybrid, or fully electric power, there’s no extra grunt over a regular model.

Motor1’s Take: Vans aren’t supposed to be sporty, but they certainly look more appealing when impersonating a GTI. The Transporter Sportline serves as an alternative to the mechanically related Ford Transit Custom vans modified by MS-RT and sold directly through Ford Pro.

Europeans are spoiled for choice when it comes to vans that look fast but actually aren’t. Stellantis, for example, is well versed in this niche, offering the Citroën Dispatch VTR, Opel Vivaro GS, Fiat Scudo Onyx, and Peugeot Expert Sport. Renault’s Trafic Extra Sport is more subtle, but it, too, tries to inject some excitement into the typically dull van segment.