The VW Transporter Rockton. Photo: Carscoop
This is the VW Transporter Rockton, a beefier, off-road version of their standard Transporter. It sports a turbo diesel motor (with 140 HP or 180 HP options), a Haldex all wheel drive system with locking rear differential, an increased ride height and a reinforced suspension. If that isn’t good enough for you, VW also offers an Expedition package and a Protective package for even more serious off-road capabilities.
The Expedition package gives you all-terrain tires on 16” reinforced steel wheels and a transmission with lower range gearing for hard-core off-roading. The interior gets sliding seats that can be removed to increase cargo capacity, covered in a stain resistant fabric. Opt for the Protective package and you’ll get skidplates for the engine, transmission, fuel tank, side sills, exhaust and rear axle. Oddly, the interior of the Protective package also includes a storage container that converts to a desk and a full height mesh partition, just in case you decide to take up kidnapping or need to occasionally carry livestock in your van. Despite the name, the Protective package does not include bulletproof glass or Kevlar armored door panels.
The first thing I thought of when I saw the Transporter Rockton on Carscoop was, “this would make one hell of a VW Camper.” Please, Volkswagen, build a camper variant and import it into the United States with the 180 horsepower turbo diesel. I know it wouldn’t be inexpensive, but I think you’d have a market even if the price were north of $60k. Go-anywhere functionality, coupled with a comfortable place to sleep, never goes out of style.