Money-saving promise from VW’s new Crafter

Volkswagen’s new Crafter large-sized van arrives in showrooms on 1st August, promising better fuel economy, lower emissions and as a result lower running costs.

Centrepiece of the lineup is a new engine range based around VW’s latest 2-litre TDI diesel with four power output options.

Versions of 108, 134, 142 and 161bhp are available, the most efficient Bluemotion versions promising fuel consumption of more than 38mpg and emissions from 199g/km.

Volkswagen says that the new engine is lighter than its 2.5-litre predecessor, which improves not only emissions but payload capability, in some cases by 100kg.

Emissions across the range have dropped by between 10 and 20 per cent. These figures, which meet Euro 5 standards, are achieved despite the Crafter engine no longer using the AdBlue CO2-reducing fuel additive. The vehicle also qualifies for Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicle (EEV) status.

The Crafter goes on sale in a wide variety of formats – van, window van, chassis cab or with several conversion options including tipper, dropside and Luton body. Three wheelbases, three roof heights and four body lengths are offered, in vehicles of 3.0, 3.5 and 5.0-tonne body weights.

Prices start from £20,450 for a CR30 2.0-litre TDI 109 PS short-wheelbase panel van, and Volkswagen says that on average prices across the range have risen by only 1.2 per cent.

Words by: Andrew Charman