Test drive Volkswagen Crafter, a large van with limousine elements.
Test Drive

Test drive Volkswagen Crafter, a large van with limousine elements.

In addition to the optimized chassis and torsionally rigid body, the precise electromechanical steering wheel contributes to precise feel, which also contributes to lower fuel consumption compared to hydraulic power steering. First of all, it gave development engineers the opportunity to install safety systems and driver assistance systems while driving. These include systems known from passenger cars such as active cruise control with collision warning, crosswind assistance, right-of-way system, undersized parking warning and parking assist in which the driver only operates the pedals.

The presentation also indicated assistance in towing a trailer or overturning a trailer, which the driver conveniently controls using the lever for adjusting the rear-view mirrors and the display on the dashboard, and works using the rear camera. Also useful is a system to avoid low obstacles to the side of the vehicle, which often cause damage to sills and other side surfaces, and a safety system to avoid collisions when reversing slowly from a parking space that also comes to a complete stop. if necessary, a car. Of course, these systems don't work on their own, but they need auxiliary electronics, which is why the Crafter was equipped with radar, a multi-function camera, a rear camera and a whopping 16 ultrasonic parking sensors.

The design of the new Crafter was also completely separate from its predecessor and inspired mainly by the "little brother" Transporter, but it has certainly become more recognizable by Volkswagen. The smoothing of the body lines also resulted in a class-leading drag coefficient of 0,33.

The driver's cab is different from the comfort of a limousine van, but is mostly practical nonetheless, as the cab is finished in durable hard plastic that is easy to clean. The driver and passengers can store their supplies in more than 30 storage areas, among which a large 30-liter box stands out, and there will also be seven seating places. The driver's seat also has a 230 V outlet in some versions, which allows power to a variety of 300 W tools, all Crafters are equipped with two 12 V outlets as standard, and an optional cab heating is available. As communication and other interfaces become more and more indispensable in business, telematics functionality will also be available in Crafter, and the fleet manager will be able to remotely track and edit driver routes and actions.

VS Volkswagen Crafter

There will be a total of 13 drive versions with the option of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive with a transverse engine or rear-wheel drive with a longitudinally mounted engine. The engine will in any case be a two-liter turbo diesel four-cylinder with one or two turbochargers in combination with a manual or automatic transmission. It will be available in front and all-wheel drive versions with 75, 103 and 130 kilowatts, and will also be rated at 90, 103 and 130 kilowatts with rear-wheel drive. As stated at the presentation, engines with more than four working cylinders are not provided for the new Crafter.

The Crafter is initially available with two wheelbases, 3.640 or 4.490 millimeters, three lengths, three heights, a McPherson front axle and five different rear axles depending on load, height or drive variant, as well as a closed box van or chassis with an upgrade cab ... As a result, there should be 69 derivatives.

As Volkswagen found out, cargo space is important for up to 65 percent of vehicles and only for others weight, so most versions are designed to carry up to 3,5 tons of maximum weight and are equipped with front-wheel drive. . In a van with a shorter wheelbase and increased height, we can load four Euro pallets or six 1,8 meter high loading trolleys. Otherwise, the volume of the cargo compartment will reach 18,4 cubic meters.

The new Volkswagen Crafter will come to us in the spring, when the prices will also be known. In Germany, where sales have already begun, at least € 35.475 must be deducted for this.

text: Matija Janežić · photo: Volkswagen

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