Volkswagen Crafter
The Volkswagen Crafter, introduced in 2006, is the largest 3 to 5 tonne van sold by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The Crafter officially replaced the 31 year old LT nameplate, although it is known as the LT3 as its production plant code.
It's major European competitors include the Opel Movano, Ford Transit, Fiat Ducato and Iveco Daily.
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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The superseded second generation Volkswagen LT, and the current Crafter share their automobile platform and bodyshells with their Mercedes-Benz Sprinter counterparts, but the front grille styling, internal combustion engines and transmissions remain Volkswagen Group sourced.
Design
French car designer Laurent Boulay is responsible for the frontal design of the Crafter, which takes cues from the Volkswagen Constellation.[1]
Engines
All internal combustion engines are based upon Volkswagen Group's re-engineered 2.5 litre R5 TDI. This turbodiesel is an inline-five cylinder (R5) Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine. It displaces 2,459 cubic centimetres (150.1 cu in), and uses the latest common rail fuel system, with piezoelectric actuated injectors for the cylinder-direct fuel injection. It also utilises a diesel particulate filter (DPF), allowing all engine variants to comply with the latest Euro4 European emission standards.[2]
Individual rated power outputs are:[2]
| max motive power | @ rpm | max torque | @ rpm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 kW (88 PS; 87 bhp) | 3,500 | 220 N•m (162 ft•lbf) | 2,000 |
| 80 kW (109 PS; 107 bhp) | 3,500 | 280 N•m (207 ft•lbf) | 2,000 |
| 100 kW (136 PS; 134 bhp) | 3,500 | 320 N•m (236 ft•lbf) | 2,000 |
| 120 kW (163 PS; 161 bhp) | 3,500 | 350 N•m (258 ft•lbf) | 2,000 |
Features
The Crafter is available in three wheelbase options; 3,250 millimetres (128.0 in), 3,665 millimetres (144.3 in) and 4,325 millimetres (170.3 in). 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 Programme (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 both roadwheel speeds across a driven axle, and if one is rotating substantially faster than the other (i.e. slipping) the EDL system momentarily brakes it. This effectively transfers the torque to the other driven wheel which is deemed to still have grip.
Payloads & GVWs
The Crafter Chassis and Double Cabs have payloads ranging from 1,472 to 3,026 kilograms (3,245 to 6,671 lb), and come in Gross Vehicle Weights (GVW) of either 3.5 or 5.0 tonnes.
Awards
The Crafter has won a number of motor industry awards, including:
- 2006 What Van? - Overall Van of the Year (UK)
- 2006 What Van? - Large Van of the Year (UK)
- 2007 Professional Van and Light Truck Magazine - Large Van of the Year (UK)
- 2007 Van Fleet World - Best Large Panel Van (UK)
- 2007 Delivery Magazine - Large Van of the Year (Australia)
- 2008 Professional Van and Light Truck Magazine - Best Van derived Chassis Cab of the Year (UK)[3]
Gallery
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Crafter Badge - rear view |
Crafter Volt at a Turkish Motor Show |
A Volkswagen Crafter operated by National Express Dot2Dot. |
References
- ^ "Volkswagen Crafter - Un utilitaire de métiers" (in (French)). http://www.webcarcenter.com/volkswagen/crafter.html.
- ^ a b "Volkswagen Crafter - Engine specification". Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Volkswagen-Vans.co.uk. http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/crafter/engine-specification/. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
- ^ "Awards for Volkswagen Caddy Maxi and Crafter Chassis Cab - Easier Motoring". Easier Inc. Easier.com. 18 April 2008. http://www.easier.com/view/Vans/Volkswagen_News/article-174592.html. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
External links
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Volkswagen Crafter |
- VWCV UK's official Crafter website
- VW Crafter Netherlands official website (Dutch)
- VW Australia's Crafter site
- Brick-Yard UK - LT & Crafter Forums
| v • d • Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles timeline, European market, 1950•present — a marque of the Volkswagen Group | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | |
| car-derived van | Caddy 14 | Caddy 9U / 9K | Caddy 2K | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| pickup truck | Taro | Amarok | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| campervan | Westfalia California | California (T5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| panel van derivatives | Transporter Type 2 - (T1) Splittie | Transporter Type 2 - (T2) Bay | Transporter / Caravelle Type 2 (T3/T25) | Transporter / Caravelle / Multivan (T4) | Transporter / Kombi / Caravelle / Multivan (T5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LT (1st generation) | LT (2nd generation) | Crafter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| concepts and future models: Microbus Concept | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| founder: German Auto Association • Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles corporate website • A marque of the Volkswagen Group • 4motion | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Categories: Volkswagen vehicles | Vans
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