In the UK, we tend to spec our vans with more equipment and accessories than our European counterparts. As a result, many manufacturers now offer sporty derivatives – some of which are unique to the UK. But which of these is really the “most sporty van”?
We’ve trawl through the specification sheets and technical information of all the major medium vans in an effort to find out – and discovered that some sporty vans are more worthy of the title than others. Here’s the Parkers’ top five.
5 – Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive
The second-generation Vauxhall Vivaro has become a common sight on the UK’s roads since it was launched in 2014, and the Sportive trim aims to add panahe to this practical medium van with two-coat metallic paint, body-coloured bumpers and LED running lights all standard. However, alloy wheels are not standard, which rather ruins the sporty vibe. Still, you do get air-con, cruise control and parking sensors.
Most sporty engine: 145hp 1.6-litre CDTi Bi-Turbo
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4 – Renault Trafic Sport
Sharing the same body architecture and design as the Vauxhall Vivaro, the Renault Trafic also boasts a high-end sporty trim. The Renault Trafic Sport adds metallic paint, body-coloured bumpers and, unlike the Vivaro Sportive, alloywheels. In the cab, there’s a seven-inch touchscreen display, an upgraded infotainment system with sat-nav and cruise control. Add the Sport+ Pack and you get a Renaultsport-inspired bodykit and colourful graphics as well.
Most sporty engine: 145hp 1.6-litre dCi Twin-Turbo
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3 – Volkswagen Transporter Sportline
The newsest contender here is the latest Volkswagen Transporter Sportline, which was only revealed in September 2016. This top-of-the-range model features 18-inch alloy wheels, chunky bumpers, touchscreen infotainment display with sat-nav and online services, plus fancy leather seats. The first versions are Kombis, seating six, but regular panel vans will arrive in 2017, along with the most powerful engine of any van in this list: a 204hp twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel (lesser engines will also be offered). We’re yet to drive it, so it remains in the number three spot for now…
Most sporty engine: 204hp 2.0-litre TDI Bi-Turbo
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2 – Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport
Until a new Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport X arrives, customers will have to make do with the regular Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport. Its appearance is enhanced by chrome sidebars and front grille trim, colour-coded bumpers and 17-inch alloy wheels, while the cab gets air-con, “Sport” branded floor mats, Audio 15 infotainment system with colour screen, and tinted glass. Sat-nav is still an optional extra.
Most sporty engine: 190hp 2.1-litre 119CDI
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1 – Ford Transit Custom Sport
Topping the charts for the ‘most sporty van’ is the Ford Transit Custom Sport. It features everything that all the other sporty vans provide: 18-inch alloy wheels, body-colour bumpers and mouldings, sat-nav and rear-view camera, but the engineers at Ford have gone that extra step by offering heated seats, a lower bumper skirt, wheelarch extensions, a chrome exhaust and eye-catching racing stripes. Plus the latest 2.0-litre EcoBlue engine offers up to 170hp and superb refinement.
Most sporty engine: 170hp 2.0-litre TDCi EcoBlue
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