Volkswagen Crafter 35 Furgon Plus 2.5 TDI (80 )
If your job is to transport cargo from point a to point b, then you need to think about your vehicle. Of course, payload capacity, luggage space and return on investment are crucial, but comfort and ride quality are just a nice detail. Something that is not needed, but useful.
With its newcomer, the Crafter, Volkswagen has further strengthened its 50-year tradition of the truck program. You probably already know that they developed it together with Mercedes Benz, but if you didn't know that, it becomes clear when you look at it. From a distance, they differ only in the front mask, headlights and a badge on the nose. Inside, at least another, not Volkswagen, lever for wipers, headlights, etc. on the steering wheel will sting. Otherwise, everything is almost the same.
But none of this really bothers me. For those of us who had to take on the role of an auto transporter, more than just the look was important. In the case of vans, the purchase criteria, as well as the assessment itself, are slightly different from the purchase criteria for passenger cars. Color is not that important here. And she, your better half, who does not work as an accountant in the family business, does not have a say in the decision. Finance is even more important here. And the financial calculation shows well in the case of Crafter.
It is not the most expensive among competitors (well, not cheap), but it has an engine that consumes little with such large dimensions, weight and, ultimately, carrying capacity. We were aiming for 12 liters by 5 kilometers, but the ride was ruthless. With moderate driving, not such a "thirst", consumption can also fall just below ten liters per 100 km. However, we did not manage to reach the eight and several deciliters of consumption indicated in the prospectus. Maybe in calm weather, with full unloading and with exceptionally calm driving, without waiting at traffic lights and without other road users who will interfere with your driving ... So, when calculating the savings, add at least two to three liters to the factory data, and the calculation will be more “viable”.
However, so that no one compares us too loudly to the eternal malcontents, we prefer to point out a few more economical facts. The Crafter has a service interval of as much as 40 thousand kilometers, so you will take it to the service (if you averagely drive a lot according to the delivery criteria) once a year, which should not be too expensive, as there is a basic service interval. The next benefit is that you don't have to change the timing belt (and get rid of a good pile of money) for 200-12 miles. If it gets attacked by rust, Volkswagen will support you for XNUMX years, and the paintwork warranty is three years.
Plus, the Crafter won't leave you confused with its payload. With a total permissible weight of three and a half tons, this is already a real truck. You can also choose between a smaller payload (three tons) and the largest, which is as much as five tons.
Volksawgen thought about ease of use, since access to the cargo space itself is excellent, the sliding doors open wide, so loading cargo with a forklift (Euro pallet) is quick and easy, and you can not be afraid to take more with you while loading poles or sheets. Sturdy mounting lugs are provided at the bottom and corners, so securing the load is easy, safe and quick.
Since the test version was a combination of a van and a van - three seats in the front and another bench in the back (seat for five passengers and the driver), the cargo area was separated from the passenger and protected by a wall. and metal mesh in accordance with today's safety standards. Of course, we can't talk about crowded passengers here, but we were very surprised at how comfortable it was, despite where it was taken from. The seats were comfortable, although a bit more upright than we're used to in cars. At the same time, the noise isolation is good enough that passengers can talk normally even at speeds above 100 km / h.
Of course, one cannot talk about driving performance for a long time. The fact is that the Crafter is driven by a typical Volkswagen, so the driver has good contact with the road all the time and feels what is happening on the road and how fast he is going in the current driving conditions. The driver's view behind the wheel is very good; side mirrors also provide excellent visibility to the rear. The fact that this Crafter is a very long and really huge thing, you only feel when the wind is blowing harder or when the road gets winding. Well, he doesn’t like the city either, but after a little practice, the driver gets used to the large dimensions.
The selected engine, which in this version produced 80 kW, also speaks of its usefulness. This one is powerful enough to offer a good everyday compromise with a short-rated six-speed gearbox whose sporty short gear lever is located on the center console support. When driving around town, we have nothing to complain about, but things are a little different on faster roads and highways. There, up to 130 km / h, it struggles, especially when fully loaded. If we hadn't loaded the van with cargo, it would have been like not driving a sports car through your favorite turns on the road and then writing a test. So unacceptable!
We have to thank the friendly building material sellers who are always happy to load us with different types of cement, so that we can appreciate the cargo van even in the case for which it is intended. And so we can recommend a more powerful engine to anyone who knows that the Crafter will often be fully loaded. That's not bad, but why bother him if there is a better solution.
And in the end we got back to the money. You see, torture is a faster fatigue of the material, an overload of nodes, and hence additional costs. If you fall into a group of people who are interested in just such a delivery van, there will be quite a lot of such a test (it costs 37.507 35 euros), so it's always good to think about what you really need. The base Crafter 22.923 with this engine costs €XNUMX. Otherwise, you will most likely be talking about renting or leasing.
Petr Kavcic, photo: Petr Kavcic
Volkswagen Crafter 35 Furgon Plus 2.5 TDI (80 )
Basic data
| Sales: | Porsche Slovenia |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 22.923 € |
| Test model cost: | 37.507 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 80kW (109 KM) |
| Maximum speed: | 143 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 8,0l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 5-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - direct injection turbodiesel - displacement 2.459 cm3 - maximum power 80 kW (109 hp) at 3.500 rpm - maximum torque 280 Nm at 2.000 rpm. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | the engine is driven by the rear wheels - 6-speed manual transmission - tires 225/75 R 16 C (Bridgestone M723 M + S). |
| Capacity: | Performance: 143 km/h top speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration: no data available - fuel consumption (at half load capacity and 80 km/h constant speed) 8,0 l/100 km. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 2.065 kg - permissible gross weight 3.500 kg. |
| External dimensions: | length 6.940 mm - width 1.993 mm - height 2.705 mm. |
| Box: | 14.000 l. |
Our measurements
| T = 10 ° C / p = 990 mbar / rel. Ownership: 59% / Meter reading: 2.997 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 21,6s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 21,8 years ( 102 km / h) |
| 1000m from the city: | 40,5 years ( 124 km / h) |
| Flexibility 50-90km / h: | 12,9 / 13,5s |
| Flexibility 80-120km / h: | 21,3 / 23,8s |
| Maximum speed: | 143km / h (WE.) |
| test consumption: | 12,5 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 47,6m |
| AM table: | 45m |
evaluation
Great van combining van and van. The fact that it can carry a total of six people and, in addition, a large load is its great advantage. For the perfect experience, we just wish we had a slightly more powerful engine and a slightly more affordable price point in terms of equipment.
We praise and reproach
modern powerful engine (high torque)
engine efficiency (low consumption, service intervals)
useful interior
convenience according to the class of delivery
Mirror
the engine is a little weak at full load
