Always late to the job site? Ford's Pro Electric SuperVan or the Volkswagen ID Buzz GTX could make deliveries a lot quicker

The humble delivery van is an essential tool of trade for many workers around the world.

But what if the daily grind of ferrying goods from A to B could be done a lot faster?

Ford, and a few other carmakers, clearly believe that commercial vans, and the people-movers they often spawn, don’t have to be dull.

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Just like how utes have evolved from farm and trade-friendly workhorses to family cars, off-road adventure vehicles and even performance models, commercial vans can also be fun to drive.

Ford is the latest brand to reveal a performance-focused van concept, but it’s certainly not the first. Here are a selection of desirable delivery vans that could make the work day a lot more exciting.

Ford Pro Electric SuperVan

Ford has history in this space with no fewer than three SuperVan concepts dating back to the original from 1971.

But this latest iteration, making its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK this week, is a more modern affair.

Based in part on the recently revealed Ford E-Transit Custom mid-size electric van, the SuperVan uses a bespoke, “track-ready” chassis, and features four electric motors, a 50kWh liquid-cooled battery and a bespoke control system.

The total output for the one-off concept developed by Ford Performance, is 2000 horsepower, converting to an insane 1471kW. It can cover 0-100km/h in less than two seconds, according to Ford.

Ford’s wild-looking electric van also has a bunch of different drive modes including Road, Track, Drag, Drift and Rally.

The iMax N Drift Bus was developed by Australian Hyundai engineers.

Hyundai iMax N Drift Bus

Back in 2019, spicy version of Hyundai’s iMax people-mover caused a global stir, and it’s all thanks to Australian know-how.

Based on the iLoad commercial van, the iMax is the eight-seater people-hauling version that was recently replaced by the Staria.

It started as an April Fools post from Hyundai in Germany but some folks in Hyundai’s Australian team formed an “underground skunkworks” and made it a reality - albeit a one-off.

The team replaced the iMax’s regular 2.5-litre petrol engine with a 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 pumping out 300kW and 555Nm and paired it with a bi-model exhaust. It was also tweaked to become a “corner carving” drift machine.

VW hasn't revealed the ID Buzz GTX yet, but the regular version will eventually come to Australia.

VW ID Buzz GTX

It’s fair to say there’s a lot of, well buzz, around the upcoming Volkswagen ID Buzz electric minivan.

A combination of modern retro styling, an all-electric powertrain and the long heritage of the Kombi has gotten a lot of people excited.

What’s more exciting is that VW confirmed last week that it was developing a sporty GTX version. GTX is the sporty badge VW slaps on its performance focused electric models.

VW hasn’t revealed any details about the hot van, but Autocar has reported that it is likely to get the same powertrain as the ID.4 and ID.5 GTX variants that pump out 220kW/460Nm.

VW Australia will import the ID Buzz to Australia, likely in 2024, but it’s unclear if the GTX will be offered here too.

For when you need more pulling power, only the Chevrolet Express V8 will do.

Chevrolet Express V8

A favourite for American delivery drivers, the Chevy Express van has been around in its current guise since 2003, and even then it was heavily based on the 1996 model.

About a decade ago, Chevrolet spiced things up by adding a V8 powerplant under the snub-nosed bonnet of the Express.

It’s not technically a sports model, but it pumps out 299kW of power and 629Nm of torque, making it one very powerful van.

The Renault Espace F1 - for when you need to move your family fast.

Renault Espace F1

Renault partnered with the Williams Formula 1 team to celebrate 10 years of production of one of Europe’s favourite people-movers, the Espace, by developing the bonkers Espace F1 back in 1995.

The Espace was transformed for performance, with a carbon-fibre chassis and the hi-po 3.5-litre V10 engine delivering a whopping 597kW and 705Nm for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 2.8 seconds.