All-new 2017 Volkswagen Crafter Receives UK Launch

Winner of the International Van of the Year 2017 award

The All-New VW CRAFTER 2017

Setting very high standards, Volkswagen has launched a completely new (from the ground up) - award-winning VW Crafter - available as Startline, Trendline and Highline - in three body lengths, three roof heights and boasting three brand-new engines - and proudly establishing industry benchmarks for assistance systems in the large van sector.

The all-new Crafter replaces the previous model - available since 2006 - which saw Volkswagen enter the large van market for the first time. The original Crafter was produced by DAIMLER AG and was largely based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a VW powertrain. When the production licence expired in 2016, Volkswagen were faced with a dilemma; find another manufacturer to team-up with to produce another "rebadged" model or design and build an all-new model themselves. On first impressions it seems Volkswagen's gamble has paid off. Taking many design cues from its smaller cousin, the Transporter T6, the new shape Crafter looks like a "proper" VW and its looks alone are sure to find it instant favour with the legions of die-hard VW enthusiasts. Ironically, the new Crafter has been licensed to another brand within the VAG group, rebadged as a MAN TGE. This model sees marque's making its first venture into the LCV market, having previously only being a manufacturer of trucks.

Looking cool! - Maun Motors' very own - Fraser Holland - pictured alongside the new shape Crafter at the 2017 CV Show.

 

Engine and Drivetrains

The brand new 2.0 litre TDI engine, developed just for VW Crafter, is available with three power outputs: 102, 140 and 177PS variants - giving high levels of power/torque with low fuel consumption and CO2 figures.

CR30 Medium wheelbase panel van with high roof

Engine	Urban mpg (l/100km)1	Extra-urban mpg (l/100km)1	Combined mpg (l/100km)1	Top Speed mph (where law allows)	CO2 emissions (g/km)1
2.0 TDI 102PS EU6 6-speed man.	34.0 (8.3)	40.9 (6.9)	38.2 (7.4)	87	193
2.0 TDI 140PS EU6 6-speed man.	34.0 (8.3)	40.9 (6.9)	38.2 (7.4)	98	193
2.0 TDI 177PS EU6 6-speed man.	32.8 (8.6)	40.9 (6.9)	37.7 (7.5)	102	196

 

(Diesel fuelled, transverse, water-cooled, in-line, variable turbine geometry turbocharger with intercooler)

The fuel consumption and emission values listed here have been ascertained in accordance with the legally stipulated measuring method. These figures do not refer to a particular specific vehicle and do not constitute part of the offer but are purely for comparison purposes between the various types of vehicle. In addition to the fuel efficiency of a vehicle, driving behaviour as well as other non-technical factors (such as environmental conditions) play a role in determining a vehicle's fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. In addition to weather and traffic conditions, extra equipment and accessories (attachment parts, tyres, etc.) may change vehicle parameters such as the weight, rolling resistance of the tyres and the aerodynamics and thus influence the fuel consumption and driving performance values.

---

There's also a choice between front, rear - and all-wheel drive (4MOTION) drivetrains, as well as manual or automatic gearboxes.

VW claim the new EU6 2.0 TDI engines are 3% more efficient than the previous model with service intervals increasing up to a whopping 30,000 miles!

Safety Systems: Passive safety systems include reversing camera, parking distance monitor and rear traffic alert. Fitted as standard, Electromechanical Servotronic steering (a first for the class) provides a speed-sensitive operation with active return. This improves the steering feel around the mid-point, providing improved levels of steering precision and is the basis of the comprehensive suite of advanced driver systems on any van, including Side Protect, Rear Traffic Alert, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Side Wind Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Trailer Assist.

The new Crafter boasts as standard:

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Automatic hazard lights activation under emergency braking
Cross Wind Assist
Driver alert system
Driver's airbag
Electronic Brake Assist (EBA)
Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) - load adjusting
Engine immobiliser
Front Assist including city emergency braking system
Halogen main headlights with range control and daytime running function
Remote central locking with two remote keys
Seatbelt warning light for driver
Three-point inertia-reel seatbelts for all seats
Windscreen wiper with variable intermittent delay and wash-wipe system.
Parking brake with hill hold control

Also standard on the all-new Crafter: Automatic post-collision braking - which triggers braking after a collision with the aim of preventing secondary collisions?

 

Audio and Communication
'Composition' Audio radio with USB/iPOD connection and Bluetooth

 

Three-year Warranty
The new Crafter comes with a 3-year, 100,000-mile warranty which also covers any factory-fitted add-ons. If you're expecting to exceed the mileage limit, an optional unlimited mileage warranty is also available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictured Left:

Fraser Holland and Andrew Kennedy
check out the vast cargo area of the
latest VW Crafter

Andrew is 6ft 3ins tall (!)

 

 

High residual values
When it's time to upgrade your vehicle(s), you'll be confident in the knowledge you'll get a better-than-average return on your outgoing vehicles (as with all VW vehicles!).

Roadside assistance
For peace of mind, every new Volkswagen Crafter comes with 3 years' unlimited-mileage Volkswagen Roadside Assistance. Cover is 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and available across the UK and most of Europe. That covers both fault and non-fault issues like flat tyres, battery problems or even filling up with the wrong fuel.

---

What the media says about the 2017 VW Crafter:

Auto Express VW Crafter Review

'Volkswagen's comfort-focused new Crafter van gains a wider range, an outstanding interior and a host of safety kit'
'VW may no longer be working with Mercedes, but it's not going it completely alone. The Crafter comes out of the factory in Poland in two guises - one badged as a VW, and the other badged as a MAN TGE. This is purely badge-engineering, as the two vans are identical bar the front-end styling'.  4.8 out of 5

---

Parkers Volkswagen Crafter Review

Fresh design from the ground up.   Well thought-out load area.   Plenty of (optional) safety kit.
Best overall cab in class.   Comfortable to drive.
'Standard equipment is good throughout, though the difference between Startline and Trendline in particular is well worth the extra outlay'.
'Very safe, very versatile, VW has also placed great emphasis on safety, an area where the Crafter now has a clear lead over rival large vans such as the Sprinter, the Ford Transit, the Citroen Relay / Peugeot Boxer / Fiat Ducato trio and the Nissan NV400 / Renault Master / Vauxhall Movano triplets'.

---

Honest John says, about the new Crafter:

'Good to drive, comfortable and refined, available with an impressive range of tech'

---

The new shape Volkswagen Crafter completes the VW Commercial Vehicles range, joining the established Volkswagen Transporter, Volkswagen Caddy and Volkswagen Amarok 4x4 Pickup models.

For further information on the new Crafter, and to visit the VW site please click here.