A new trim level that brings sportier looks and enhanced equipment features has been added to the UK range of the latest Volkswagen Transporter. The Sportline specification is available on the panel van and kombi models, in both short and long-wheelbase versions, with prices starting at £28,220 (€32,000) for the panel van, and at £30,100 (€34,150) for the kombi.

Motivation is provided by a 2.0-liter BiTDI engine, which develops 180 horsepower and is paired to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The Sportline is also available with the seven-speed DSG transmission, which is an optional extra priced at £1,400 (€1,590).

The Sportline trim adds some sporty exterior touches such as a glossy black grille with chrome detailing, smoked headlights, plus a revised front bumper that incorporates fog lights and a smaller grille. Additional elements include polished stainless steel sidebars and unique 18-inch “Sportline 5-spoke” alloys, finished in silver or satin black. At the rear, the van features smoked tail lamps and a roof spoiler. There are three colors available: Reflex Silver metallic, Deep Black pearlescent or the optional Candy White with a contrasting gloss black roof.

Inside, all Sportline models feature two-tone leather upholstery and additional equipment including semi-automatic air conditioning, a multimedia system with a seven-inch color touch screen, satellite navigation with full Europe map, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity and electric windows.

Just because Volkswagen’s Transporter can be used in a professional manner moving goods, people or even both, doesn’t mean that tuners aren’t paying attention to it. On the contrary, the Transporter has received a lot of tuning love over the many years it has been in production. The tuning proposal for the pre-facelift Transporter you see pictured here comes from German aftermarket specialist, MR Car Design.

A new body kit, courtesy of the tuning crew over at ABT, includes a spoiler package consisting of a front-and-rear spoiler, a new front grille, fog light inserts, side skirts, new LED headlamps and smoked tail lamps. The looks is enhanced with new 22-inch alloy wheels finished in black and wrapped around in beefy 265/33 22 tires. For those that want a low rider look, MR Car Design offers a new air suspension that can drop the ride height by an impressive -but understandably, impractical- 100 millimeters.

A performance kit for the turbo diesel engine with a remapped ECU and a sports exhaust system that includes four tail pipes, help boost output to 208-horsepower and 487 Nm (359.2 lb-ft) of peak torque, complete the tune.