LATEST MAGAZINES...
ON SALES NOW!!
Volkswagen’s all-new Crafter represents a fresh start for the German manufacturer’s big van.
The 2017 Crafter is all-VW, no longer sharing its chassis and body panels with Mercedes-Benz’s Sprinter.
And instead of coming down the same production line as the Mercedes, the all-new Crafter is put together in an equally all-new factory in Poland. The only sharing it does now is with the first van ever produced by VW-owned truck maker MAN, with which the Crafter shares bodywork, powertrain and production line space – with different grilles and badging, of course.
The new Crafter is sleeker than the bolt-upright, slab-sided, angular-lined cargo hauler that preceded it. This one is still a big truck like its forebear, and is essentially still a cargo box on wheels, but it has a happier looking face and more rounded styling.
The face is the current VW family one, with an ear-to-ear grille that softens the usual LCV look and adds in a touch of car-like flavour – within reason, of course, this is a very big van after all.
Indeed, the new VW biggie has a lot more character and a more human, less-utilitarian look than the old Crafter did.
Volkswagen is offering seven Crafter van models in New Zealand, starting with the medium wheelbase Runner 30. The Runner shares its transversely-mounted, 2.0-litre 103kW four-cylinder turbodiesel with all medium-, long-, and extra-long-wheelbase front-wheel drive Crafter 35 models.
The motor is Euro 5 compliant, and develops peak torque of 340Nm in front-wheel drive models.
The other three models, also dubbed Crafter 35, are fitted with 130kW Euro 6-compliant turbodiesels. Both motors are differently-tuned version of the same basic unit.
Crafter vans are available in medium-, long-, and extra-long-wheelbase versions. 4Motion four-wheel drive variants of the last-mentioned top the range, with mirror pricing of $83,690 for six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox models.
The range-opening Runner is available only with a choice of manual and automatic gearboxes (the auto lifts the price to $63,990), but there’s no four-wheel drive option.
On the Runner, there’s a choice of standard- and high roof body styles, the former with an overall height of 2355mm, and the latter standing 2590mm.
All other models are available with a choice of manual or automatic and two- or four-wheel drive, though initially only two-wheel drives are available here.
As well as the vans, VW offers a range of Crafter cab/chassis trucks which will accept a variety of bodies – including motorhomes – and trays, and are available in single and double cab versions.
Crafter van rear doors can open to 270 degrees and door-mounted cone-shaped bump stops secure the opened doors magnetically to the body sides. Dual side doors are standard.
Front-wheel drive Crafters have a 100mm lower cargo floor than four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions, resulting in a 570mm load height that makes cargo loading easier.
The lower floor also makes it easier for the driver and driver’s mate to get into and out of the cab...
