What's the news?
It has been 60 years since the first Transporter was imported to the UK and Volkswagen has launched the Transporter Sportline 60 to celebrate. Priced from £29,940 (before VAT) it features styling enhancements and comes with more standard equipment, replacing the Sportline in the Volkswagen Transporter line-up.
Exterior
The original Transporter rode on skinny, 15-inch steel wheels with chrome hub caps, but the anniversary model gets a set of 18-inch, five-spoke alloys with an anthracite finish. Other black details include the steel side bars and the door mirror caps. As a finishing touch there are special decals on the body sides.
Interior
Inside, the Sportline 60 driver gets plenty of toys. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, remote central locking and powered and heated door mirrors. There is also an upgraded Kenwood satnav infotainment system with DAB and Bluetooth capability. Front and rear parking sensors are fitted and there is also a rear view camera. Quilted leather upholstery is standard, incorporating the Sportline 60 logo.
Mechanicals
In 1954 the Volkswagen Transporter came with a 1.2-litre, air-cooled flat-four petrol engine. The 2014 anniversary version gets the top of the range 2.0-litre BiTDI 180hp engine with up to 400Nm of torque. Transmissions are either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic.
Anything else?
The Transporter Anniversary 60 is available as a Panel van or Kombi with a choice of short or long-wheelbases. There is also a choice of two standard metallic colours: Reflex Silver and Deep Black while Candy White with a Deep Black roof is available as an option.
John Lambert - 15 Jul 2014