New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
Heavily revised Crafter unveiled by Volkswagen
Volkswagen has released details of its new heavily revised Crafter large panel van. Although not unexpected the big news is that the current 2.5-litre five-cylinder diesels have been replaced by a four-cylinder line-up, based on the Group’s 2.0-litre modular common rail engine, versions of which are also found under the bonnet of the current Transporter and the upcoming Amarok pick-up.As with Transporter there are three power output options and they have been tuned specifically for use in Crafter. The range starts with a 109hp which develops its peak torque between 1,500rpm and 2,250rpm. VW claims combined cycle fuel consumption of 36mpg, equivalent to a CO2 output of 208g/km.
Next up is the 136hp with peak torque of 340Nm available from 1,600rpm. The most powerful option has twin turbos and manages to produce 163hp with 400Nm on tap from 1,800rpm. Fitted with the optional Stop/Start it has claimed fuel consumption of 39mpg with CO2 emissions of 195g/km.
Fitting lighter powerplants, allied to other technical modifications, mean there’s a kerb weight reduction of around 10 per cent which bodes well for payloads; they increase by an equivalent amount.
Cosmetic revisions see Crafter’s front-end design softened-up to bring it more in line visually with Transporter and Amarok. It’s much less aggressive-looking with a full-width grille, but retains the vertical headlight arrangement. The cab facia has also been reworked and there’s new easier-to-read instrumentation. Anyone familiar with the current Transporter will know what we mean.
Revised Crafter is due to go on sale in left-hand drive Continental Europe this June, with the UK following some time later in the year; we would make a guess of late Summer/early Autumn.
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Latest Features
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