Volkswagen celebrates 60th anniversary of the Transporter with a stunning Special Edition

• High levels of equipment with 18-inch alloys and rear parking camera
• Fitting tribute to six decades of Transporter success in the UK
• Available in panel van and Kombi forms, SWB and LWB
• Retail prices start from £29,940 (ex. VAT)

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is celebrating 60 years of the Transporter in the UK with the launch of a new special edition model – the Sportline 60.

The new model replaces the current Sportline and is available in short and long wheelbase forms as either a Kombi or panel van. Distinguished from the rest of the range, the striking exterior features unique 18-inch five-spoke Anthracite alloy wheels, black steel side bars, gloss black door mirror covers and special decals, the Sportline 60 is one of the most stylish T5 Transporters ever offered.

Inside, the Sportline 60 is generously equipped.  Customers are treated to a host of premium creature comforts including an upgraded Kenwood sat-nav infotainment system which features smartphone mirroring functionality, DAB and Bluetooth connectivity. Front and rear parking sensors with camera also come as standard along with new quilted and embossed leather upholstery featuring a special Sportline 60 edition logo.

Also included in the standard specification are a front seat armrest; electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, electric windows, ABS, climate air conditioning, remote central locking and stereo with CD player.

Like the model it replaces, the new Sportline 60 distinguishes itself from other vans on the road with a number of distinctive styling cues. At the front, colour-coded front bumper and lower spoiler combine with a chrome grille. At the rear a roof spoiler, a colour-coded bumper and unique Sportline 60 badging add to the distinctive look. Available in metallic Reflex Silver or Deep Black as standard. Candy White with a Deep Black roof is available as an option.

The Sportline 60’s purposeful appearance is matched by the power that drives it. Thisspecial anniversary modelcomes with Volkswagen’s top of the range 2.0-litre BiTDI 180 PS engine, offering up to 400 Nm of torque.  Customers can choose between a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG gearbox. Retail prices start from £29,940 (ex. VAT) for the manual transmission (short wheelbase) and rise to £34,170 (ex. VAT) for the DSG transmission (long wheelbase).

First sold officially in the UK in 1954, the Transporter range has formed the backbone of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range for six successful decades. Over the years, the Transporter has helped millions of owners build businesses and fulfil dreams. From globetrotters to gardeners, the Transporter has become the default choice for many generations. And while the Transporter has evolved dramatically during that time – through five generations – the philosophy and vision that created the original still holds true.

To date, more than 300,000 Transporters have been sold in the UK, with 18,350 sold in 2013 alone. The current Transporter range is one of the broadest in the commercial vehicle sector and comprises of panel van, Kombi, Shuttle, Caravelle and California variants. 

Sportline 60 specification

• 18-inch Sportline five-spoke alloy wheels finished in Anthracite or Black/Silver and with 255/45 R18 103 tyres. Includes Tyre Mobility System
• Available in Brilliant Silver or Bi-colour finish
• Body-coloured bumpers and door handles
• Gloss black door mirror covers with Sportline logo
• Front spoiler
• Gloss black upper and lower front grille with chrome detailing
• Headlights with interior chrome detailing
• Darkened rear light clusters
• Black steel side bars
• Rear roof spoiler
• Sportline exterior badge
• Quilted, embossed leather upholstery with Sportline logo
• Front carpet floor mats with Sportline logo
• Leather-covered steering wheel and gearknob
• Armrests on driver’s seat
• Climatic semi-automatic air-conditioning for cab
• Kenwood DAB Multimedia System, with 7” colour touchscreen, full European Garmin satellite-navigation with real-time traffic information, built-in Bluetooth® phone connectivity. DAB radio and single CD with DVD playback
• Full iPod or iPhone connectivity with an optional lead
• Trip computer with multi-function display
• Front and rear parking sensors with rear parking camera
• Front fog lights with cornering light function
• Thatcham Category 1 – approved alarm and immobilizer with tow-away, perimeter and interior cab protection

Sportline 60 prices

Panel van range	Transmission	Wheelbase	Price (Basic ex. VAT)
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Six-speed manual	SWB	£29,940
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Seven-speed DSG	SWB	£31,520
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Six-speed manual	LWB	£30,640
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Seven-speed DSG	LWB	£32,220
Kombi range
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Six-speed manual	SWB	£31,890
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Seven-speed DSG	SWB	£33,470
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Six-speed manual	LWB	£32,590
T32 2.0 TDI 180PS	Seven-speed DSG	LWB	£34,170

The Volkswagen Transporter - 60 Years in 60 Seconds

• First Transporter launched at the Earls Court Commercial Motor Show in 1954
• Over 11.5 million Transporters built to date
• From 786 UK sales in 1954 to 18,350 in 2013 – enduringly popular with British business
• The van which helped build Britain and launched a million road trips

This year marks a significant milestone in the history of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: sixty years ago, the first ever right-hand drive Transporter arrived in the UK.

Simple, cleverly engineered and more practical than anything else on the road at the time, the T1 marked the start of a revolution in the commercial vehicle industry. Today, celebrating its diamond anniversary, the jewel in the commercial vehicles’ crown is one of the world’s biggest-selling light commercial vehicles, with variants such as the camper enjoying cult status across generations of owners.

The Transporter’s appeal remains unique. Over the years, the Transporter has helped millions of owners build businesses and fulfil dreams. From globetrotters to gardeners, beatniks to builders, the Transporter has become the default choice for many generations. And while the Transporter has evolved dramatically during that time – through five generations – the philosophy and vision that created the original still holds true.

In addition to mobilising a nation, the Transporter has also been the backbone of Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle business for the past six decades. From humble beginnings – just 786 were sold in its first year in the UK – the Transporter has been a driving force for Volkswagen. In 2013, UK sales of the Transporter reached 18,350 – a record figure that demonstrates the vehicle’s appeal is continuing to grow. Globally, total Transporter production stands at 11.5 million units.

The British connection

Long before the Transporter made its first appearance on UK soil, the idea for a load-carrying vehicle based on a Beetle platform came from Major Ivan Hirst – a senior British army officer placed in charge of re-commissioning the post-war Volkswagen factory. He ordered the creation of a flat-bed truck – dubbed the Plattenwagen – to move parts around the factory. The innovative truck soon caught the eye of visiting Dutch importer Ben Pon in the mid-1940s, who proposed the idea of a more developed panel van version. 

From factory mule to global icon

While the idea of a Beetle-based commercial vehicle was enthusiastically welcomed by Volkswagen, it wasn’t until the late 1940s that the factory had the resources to put in into production. In a timeframe that would be unthinkable today, the T1 went from drawing board to production line in just 13 months. In 1954, having tested the water in Volkswagen’s home market, the Transporter T1 made its public debut at the Earls Court Commercial Motor Show.

Having quickly established its superiority over its rivals, the T1 became the template for light commercial panel vans, pick-ups and microbuses – selling strongly for 17 years.

Such was the brilliance of the original that the T2 that replaced it in 1967 retained much of its underpinnings. Even the boxy third-generation T3 that appeared in 1979 employed the neatly balanced, load-friendly rear engine layout of the original.

Indeed, it wasn’t until the fourth-generation T4 arrived in 1990 that Volkswagen switched to the now familiar front-engine, front-wheel drive layout. And just as the original had done in 1954, the T4 set new standards for refinement, quality and flexibility.

The fifth-generation Transporter (T5) appeared in 2003 and raised the bar even higher with an even bigger load area, broader range and a host of advanced new technologies.

Getting the job done efficiently and reliably has been at Volkswagen’s heart for the past 60 years. It’s a reputation for rugged reliability that has endured over the decades to make the Volkswagen Transporter one of the world’s biggest selling light commercial vehicles.