VW launch new crafter

Reprinted with permission from ACP Magazines. (Motorhomes and Caravans.)

Word by Simon Vaughan
Photos by Simon Vaughan and VW

VW’s new Crafter vans and cab chassis are ready to go. Launched in Auckland recently, the new models replace the old LT35 models, and come in two variants – the Crafter 35 and the Crafter 50.

Body options are numerous in both the van and cab chassis forms but the ones that will be of interest to the motorhome world will be the LWB (long wheel base) and Super LWB vans, both with VW’s ‘super high roof’ and both of which will certainly be used by van converters. The vans are available with GVMs of 3.5-tonnes and 5.0-tonnes.

There are a variety of cab chassis available and while the single cab with a GVM of 4.49-tonnes is likely to be most popular (5.0-tonnes is available), the dual cab, whilst taking a bit of living area, may well be of interest to family travellers who are planning lengthy travel.

For motive power, the Crafter will come with a 2.5 litre turbo diesel motor but with three power outputs – 80kW, 100kW and 120kW, all with some impressive torque figures. The more powerful 100kW and 120kW engines will probably be of most interest to the motorhome world.

Gear changing will be handled in all cases by a six speed manual gearbox and in the case of the 80kW and 100kW motors, by an optional “Shiftmatic” – an automated manual gearbox (without clutch). The “Shiftmatic” is not a full automatic gearbox, just an improved version of the old

Mercedes Sprinter “Sprintshift” and did seem on our brief test drive to be a more willing performer.

In the new body design, there are vertical headlights. From the front, the Crafter has quite a businesslike look about it, with its protruding snout like bonnet and bold-looking grille. Like all its Euro contemporaries, most of the engine components are serviceable under the bonnet.

Something that is going to be noticed more by converters than users isthe fact that the cab is slightly longer, wider and higher than the previous model.

Getting into the driver’s cab reveals a seat that is adjustable in six different ways as well as an optional suspension seat.

The four spoke steering wheel can be adjusted both axially and vertically. The external rear view mirrors have both a large main mirror and the all essential smaller convex mirror, providing excellent vision. Like many Euro vehicles, the mirrors also come with turning indicators. As with the Crafter windows, the mirrors are power operation.

Trialled at the launch were the 100kW and 120kW powered vans with six-speed manual gearboxes and the 100kW with the “shiftmatic”. Both dash mounted gear shifts fall easily to the left hand of the driver and while some RV-ers will certainly prefer the auto operation, we can report that the six-speed manual change is very slick and smooth.

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