Last year saw the introduction of the Ford Transit Sport Van – a short wheelbase, low roof Transit in full sports trim, including special paintwork and alloy wheels.

For 2008, Ford have extended the Sport Van treatment to the Transit’s smaller brother – the extremely popular Transit Connect.

Launched at this week’s Commercial Vehicle Show at the Birmingham NEC, the Transit Connect SportVan is decked out in the same Ford Performance Blue with GT-style white stripes that have proved so popular on the Transit SportVan (and the sporty Focus ST).

The SportVan also features stylish 18-inch alloy wheels but is powered by the standard 110hp 1.8TDCi engine used in other Transit Connects – meaning that excellent fuel economy and good performance are married with a truly distinctive looking van.

If ever a van was aimed at owner-drivers, this one is, and the interior specification has clearly been chosen with driver comfort and satisfaction in mind.

Leather seats with 8-way adjustment, a leather-covered steering wheel, ABS and traction control all vie to make the Transit Connect SportVan driving experience as close as possible to that of a sporty Ford Focus.

The van come complete with air conditioning, CD changer, bluetooth and electric windows and mirrors – and Ford UK Commercial Vehicle Director Steve Kimber is anticipating strong demand for the 300 SportVans that will be available in the UK:

“The reaction to the Connect Sport concept shown at last year’s Show, left us in no doubt that there is a demand for a production version. Just 300 models will be available when they go on sale this summer and we anticipate the same interest as we got for its big brother Transit SportVan. Transit Connect SportVan is all about style. Our customers want to stand out from the crowd in a vehicle that keeps their business moving.”

The Transit Connect SportVan model is based on the SWB 220 Transit Connect and is only available in short wheelbase. It goes on sale in September 2008, price to be confirmed nearer the time.