Introduction
If you are ever after a plan for world domination, you could do worse than look to Volkswagen for inspiration. While the company’s light CV arm may not be on the verge of global supremacy just yet, its plan to take on the big boys in the sector has been noted for its frightening efficiency.
In case you haven’t noticed, in the past couple of years VW has become a force of nature in the van market by overhauling its range and launching products that come with engineering integrity and list prices that, thought not the cheapest, are competitive enough to keep them on most shortlists.
The company’s two previous updates (Caddy and Transporter) have both scooped European Van of the Year awards, giving some indication of the impression they made. Even more important to the big guns at VW, no doubt, we at CM have given them our stamp of approval. And now that overhaul has reached its zenith with the replacement for its unloved LT – the Crafter.
Product Profile
Like its predecessor, the Crafter has been designed in collaboration with Mercedes, whose Sprinter van we recently tested (CM 27 July). And like the sprinter, it relies on a single common-rail turbo-diesel to extract four power outputs: in this case 87,108,134 and 161hp. But while the Sprinter gets its urge from an in-line four (with a 3.0 litre V6 option), the Crafter relies on the VW’s trademark straight-five.
It drives via a six-speed manual box, with ShiftMatic automatic transmission as an option on the 108 and 134hp versions. This is claimed to offer improved fuel consumption; it can be switched between manual and automatic as required.
What the Crafter also has is variety, with a spec sheet long enough for most needs. There are four wheelbases; three GVWs (3.0, 3.5 and a hefty 5.0 tonne); and load spaces from 7.7m3 to 17m3.
And Volkswagen hasn’t stinted on the Crafter’s standard equipment, throwing in remote central-locking, CD/radio, electric windows, ABS, ESP and EDL. All those goodies come at a price – Crafters range from £15,300 for the 87hp CR30 SWB to £28,100 for the 161hp CR50 LWB Maxi roof. Window van, chassis-cab and crew-cab variants are also available.
Our test vehicle is the CR35 MWB high-roof panel van pushing out 108hp with a 1,320kg payload. It’s priced at £20,800.
Productivity
powered Sprinter extracted 29.4mpg from its smaller (2.1-litre) engine, so maybe that extra swept volume is more liability than advantage.
However, the Crafter does score points for the practical design of its load area. At 1,300mm, the maximum width of the sliding door is best in class; Volkswagen claims it will accommodate a Euro pallet.
We also approve of the fold-down lashing eyes on the floor and B-pillar, as well as the optional tracks on the sidewalls and ceiling – ideal for parcels and the like.
Like the other Volkswagen CVs, the Crafter benefits from variable servicing intervals thanks to built-in sensors that monitor oil quality. VW uses synthetic oil which will extend servicing intervals and is also said to cut fuel bills by 2.7%. But if you prefer to budget for fixed service intervals, traditional oil can also be specified.
