Volkswagen rolls out slick Transporter Sportline van in the UK

While pickup trucks are the workhorses on this side of the Atlantic, across the pond their duties are typically assumed by full-size vans. So it should only follow that, just like we have performance pickups here like the Ford F-150 Raptor and the Ram Runner, so do the Europeans get the occasional sporty van to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. Ford once more leads the charge with the Transit SportVan, but not to be outdone, Volkswagen has launched a sporty van as well.

Called the Transporter Sportline, the special edition van packs a 180-horsepower 2.0-liter turbodiesel, mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG. The package is rounded out by such unique touches as a revised front end with gloss black and chrome grille, smoked headlights and integrated fog lamps, polished side step bars and 18-inch 5-spoke alloys. The lamps are smoked in the rear as well, and higher up there's a roof spoiler.

The interior is decked out in two-tone leather and all the electronic bells and whistles. In addition to the transmission options, buyers can opt for a short or long wheelbase and either windowed passenger configuration or cargo panel van. Prices start at £28,220 in the UK.