Volkswagen Crafter

Infobox Automobile


name = Volkswagen Crafter
manufacturer = Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
parent_company = Volkswagen Group
aka =
production = 2006-present
assembly = Ludwigsfelde,
Düsseldorf
predecessor = Volkswagen LT
successor =
class = Van
body_style = Panel Van,
Minibus,
Double cab,
Chassis cab
layout = front engine,
rear-wheel drive
wheelbase = SWB: Auto mm|3250|1
MWB: Auto mm|3665|1
LWB: Auto mm|4325|1
length = Chassis Double Cab LWB:
Auto mm|6680|1
Auto mm|6840|1
Auto mm|6845|1
Chassis Double Cab MWB:
Auto mm|5870|1
Auto mm|6085|1
Auto mm|6140|1
Chassis Double Cab SWB:
Auto mm|5305|1
Auto mm|5560|1
Chassis Single Cab LWB:
Auto mm|6680|1
Auto mm|6845|1
Auto mm|6930|1
Chassis Single Cab MWB:
Auto mm|5870|1
Auto mm|6020|1
Auto mm|6085|1
Chassis Single Cab SWB:
Auto mm|5305|1
Auto mm|5570|1
LWB:
Auto mm|7345|1
Auto mm|6940|1
MWB:
Auto mm|5910|1
SWB:
Auto mm|5245|1
height = Chassis Double Cab LWB:
Auto mm|2420|1
Auto mm|2405|1
Chassis Double Cab MWB:
Auto mm|2440|1
Auto mm|2425|1
Chassis Double Cab SWB:
Auto mm|2365|1 (Also Chassis Single Cab SWB)
Auto mm|2380|1
Chassis Single Cab LWB:
Auto mm|2385|1
Auto mm|2395|1
Chassis Single Cab MWB:
Auto mm|2410|1
Auto mm|2400|1
LWB:
Auto mm|3055|1 (With Roof)
Auto mm|3050|1 (With Roof)
Auto mm|2715|1
Auto mm|2825|1
Auto mm|2820|1
MWB:
Auto mm|2720|1 (With Roof)
Auto mm|3050|1 (With Roof)
Auto mm|2820|1 (With Roof)
Auto mm|2435|1
Auto mm|2535|1
SWB:
Auto mm|2435|1
Auto mm|2725|1 (With Roof)
width = Vans:
Auto mm|2425|1
Pickup Trucks:
Auto mm|2426|1
Auto mm|2682|1
engine = 2.5L I-5 TDI turbodiesel with DPF
transmission = 6-speed manual transmission,
6-speed Shiftmatic automatic transmission
related = Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
designer = Laurent Boulay

The Volkswagen Crafter, introduced in 2006, is the largest 3 to 5 tonne van sold by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Crafter replaced the 31 year old LT nameplate.

Production plants

The Crafter is built in the Mercedes-Benz Ludwigsfelde and Düsseldorf plants, the same German factories where the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is built.

Daimler as a partner

In the 1990s Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz Commercial Unit produced the first generation Sprinter and the second generation Volkswagen LT in a joint development project.

The superseded second generation Volkswagen LT, and the current Crafter share the bodyshells with their Mercedes-Benz Sprinter counterparts, but the front grill styling, engine and transmissions remain Volkswagen sourced.

Design

French Car Designer Laurent Boulay is responsible for the frontal design of the Crafter which takes cues from the Volkswagen Constellation. [ [http://www.webcarcenter.com/volkswagen/crafter.html Volkswagen Crafter - Un utilitaire de métiers] fr icon]

Engines

All engines are based upon Volkswagen's re-engineered 2,459 cc inline-5 TDI common rail turbodiesel with piezo direct fuel injection and Diesel particulate filter (DPF). All comply with the latest Euro 4 European emission standards.

Individual power outputs are:

Features

The Crafter is available in three wheelbase options; Auto mm|3250|1, Auto mm|3665|1 and Auto mm|4325|1. It is equipped with front airbags as standard, and side and curtain airbags as options, along with anti-lock braking system (ABS), Load Adapting Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti Slip Regulation (traction control) (ASR), and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL).

The electronic differential lock (EDL) employed by Volkswagen is not - as the name suggests - a differential lock at all. Sensors monitor wheel speeds, and if one is rotating substantially faster than the other (i.e. slipping) the EDL system momentarily brakes it. This effectively transfers all the power to the other wheel.

Awards

* "What Van?" - Overall Van of the Year 2006 (UK)
* "What Van?" - Large Van of the Year 2006 (UK)
* "Professional Van and Light Truck Magazine" - Large Van of the Year 2007 (UK)
* "Van Fleet World" - Best Large Panel Van 2007 (UK)
* "Delivery Magazine" - Large Van of the Year 2007 (Australia)
* "Professional Van and Light Truck Magazine" - Best Van derived Chassis Cab of the Year 2008 (UK) [ [http://www.easier.com/view/Vans/Volkswagen_News/article-174592.html Awards for Volkswagen Caddy Maxi and Crafter Chassis Cab | Easier Motoring | 18 April 2008] ]

Gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/crafter/ VWCV UK's official Crafter website]
* [http://www.crafter.nl VW Crafter Netherlands official website] nl icon
* [http://www.volkswagencrafter.com.au VW Australia's Crafter site]
* [http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/ Brick-Yard UK - LT & Crafter Forums]
* [http://dot2.com Dot2Dot] - Volkswagen Crafters are used as shuttlebuses by London Heathrow's demand responsive service Dot2Dot, transporting passengers from Heathrow Airport to select central London destinations. They serve as a cheaper alternative to London's taxi fares, and a more convenient form of transportation than the Underground if you are carrying a lot of luggage.