Pete Townshend Changes Iconic Camper Van Into a New Volkswagen Transporter

LONDON/HANOVER - October 9, 2008: Again, a legendary artist is “Going Mobile” with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: Pete Townshend, Mastermind of The Who, is now driving a Volkswagen Transporter as his private vehicle. He recently swapped his camper van for the latest Volkswagen Transporter Sportline – a stylish, high specification model available in the UK. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has now got Pete Townshend’s old camper van and will be exhibiting it at Oldtimer shows and events.

‘I was really sad to say goodbye to our camper van as my partner Rachel and I had good times in it, but the Volkswagen Transporter I’m driving now is much better to drive, modern and much faster”, Pete Townshend confessed.

“I am using it to transport guitars and keyboards to and from my new creative studio, an hour´s drive from home. Sometimes I take the entire pack of six dogs too. The journey is always pleasant. This is a superb sports van with excellent economy. But watch out! If you put your foot down this thing flies”, the artist added.

The distinctive styling of the Volkswagen Transporter Sportline includes 18 inch alloy wheels, lowered suspension, chrome side rails, rear roof spoiler, body-coloured bumpers, plus chrome upper and lower grilles above a lower front spoiler. It also offers high performance from a 2.5-litre TDI engine producing 174 PS which can sprint to 62 mph in 12.2 seconds.

The Who and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles have been project partners ever since the band performed at a special weekend event Volkswagen hosted in Hannover last year to celebrate 60 years of the iconic Transporter van.

For example, as a result of Roger Daltrey MBE being patron of British charity Teenage Cancer Trust, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles donated a 1965 ‘split-screen’ Transporter van with a unique The Who ‘Magic Bus’ livery designed by The Who’s art director Richard Evans for a worldwide raffle which raised over. 40.000 Euro to support children and teenagers suffering from cancer.

‘We really like working with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, as we all grew up with their vans – that’s what gives authenticity to the cooperation. And we all still like the current Volkswagen models as well,” said Pete Townshend, who also drives a Volkswagen Lupo.