New Volkswagen Crafter shows the T touch

FIRST sketches of the new Volkswagen Crafter, due to be launched this autumn, clearly show it as the ‘big brother’ of the T-series Transporters.

The new Crafter is a completely new vehicle. Experts at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles have worked closely with current customers, accompanying them during their daily routines, to explore their needs and find out what they wanted the new Crafter to be.

The approach, according to Albert-Johann Kirzinger, head of Design at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWN), was thoroughly analytical: “In the commercial vehicle sector especially, design has got to work for lots of different customer groups.”

The all-new Crafter is a hugely important model for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and will be built in the new Volkswagen factory in Września, Poland, whereas the outgoing model has shared a production line with Mercedes’ Sprinter.

At 0.33cd, the new Crafter has a best-in-class drag coefficient; and inside combines everyday practicality with optimum cargo space. The new design language shown on the Crafter will continue across all new commercial vehicle derivatives and models.

Kirzinger adds: “Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ T-series, the ‘Bulli’, is effectively being given a ‘big brother’ through the introduction of the new Crafter. With the Crafter, a level of surface quality, robustness and at the same time high qualitative value are achieved that have never before been available in this commercial vehicle class.”

Rear view of the new Volkswagen Crafter