Volkswagen Crafter | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles |
Also called | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (Second Gen) MAN TGE Volkswagen Grand California Torsus Terrastorm |
Production | 2006–present |
Assembly |
|
Designer | Laurent Boulay |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Light commercial vehicle (M) |
Body style | |
Layout | FF layout FR layout |
Platform | MNB (Modular Light Commercial Vehicle platform) Second generation |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 2.0 L I4 TDI with DPF 2.5 L I5 TDI with DPF |
Electric motor | 100 kW (136.0 PS; 134.1 hp) synchronous permanent magnet AC motor |
Transmission | |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase |
|
Length |
|
Width | Vans: 1,993 mm (78.5 in) Pickup Trucks: 2,426 mm (95.5 in) 2,682 mm (105.6 in) |
Height | Chassis Double Cab LWB: 2,420 mm (95.3 in) 2,405 mm (94.7 in) Chassis Double Cab MWB: 2,440 mm (96.1 in) 2,425 mm (95.5 in) Chassis Double Cab SWB: 2,365 mm (93.1 in) (also Chassis Single Cab SWB) 2,380 mm (93.7 in) Chassis Single Cab LWB: 2,385 mm (93.9 in) 2,395 mm (94.3 in) Chassis Single Cab MWB: 2,410 mm (94.9 in) 2,400 mm (94.5 in) LWB: 3,055 mm (120.3 in) (with roof) 3,050 mm (120.1 in) (with roof) 2,715 mm (106.9 in) 2,825 mm (111.2 in) 2,820 mm (111.0 in) MWB: 2,720 mm (107.1 in) (with roof) 3,050 mm (120.1 in) (with roof) 2,820 mm (111.0 in) (with roof) 2,435 mm (95.9 in) 2,535 mm (99.8 in) SWB: 2,435 mm (95.9 in) 2,725 mm (107.3 in) (with roof) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Volkswagen Transporter LT |
The Volkswagen Crafter, introduced in 2006, is the largest three- to five-ton van produced and sold by the German automaker Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The Crafter officially replaced the Volkswagen Transporter LT that was launched in 1975, although it is known as the LT3, its production plant code.
Like the second-generation LT, the first-generation Crafter is a rebadged Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, built by Daimler AG, [1] with a powertrain by Volkswagen. [2] The Daimler variant has been also sold by Daimler as the Freightliner Sprinter and Dodge Sprinter. An all-electric variant, the e-Crafter, was released in 2017. [3]
Starting with the 2017 model year, the Crafter has been designed and built by Volkswagen, and no longer associated with the Sprinter. [4] [5] [6] [7] A version of the Crafter is also sold by MAN Truck & Bus as the MAN TGE. [8]
The first-generation Crafter was built in the Mercedes-Benz Ludwigsfelde and Düsseldorf plants, the same German factories where the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is built.
French car designer Laurent Boulay is responsible for the frontal design of the Crafter, which takes cues from the Volkswagen Constellation. [9]
From launch in 2006 up to 2010, all internal combustion engines were 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 what was 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 Euro IV European emission standards. [10]
The 2010 version of the 2.5 TDI CR engine was redesigned, correcting the previous problems of turbo failure. An engine update was also released under the guise of "Blue TDI", which used AdBlue – or diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) – in combination with a DPF to attain the more stringent Euro V EEV European emission standards. [10]
Engines (2006–2011) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Model | Engine type | Power | rpm | Torque | rpm | European emission standards |
2.5 TDI CR | 2,459 cc (150 cu in) I5 turbo | 88 PS (65 kW; 87 hp) | 3500 | 220 N⋅m (162 lb⋅ft) | 2000 | Euro 4 |
88 PS (65 kW; 87 hp) | 3300 | 250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) | 1900–2300 | Euro 5 EEV | ||
109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) | 3500 | 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) | 2000 | Euro 4 | ||
109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) | 3300 | 300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) | 1900–2300 | Euro 5 EEV | ||
136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) | 3500 | 300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) | 2000 | Euro 4 | ||
136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) | 3500 | 330 N⋅m (243 lb⋅ft) | 2000 | Euro 5 EEV | ||
163 PS (120 kW; 161 hp) | 3500 | 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) | 2000 | Euro 4 | ||
163 PS (120 kW; 161 hp) | 3500 | 360 N⋅m (266 lb⋅ft) | 2200 | Euro 5 EEV |
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.
The Crafter Chassis and Double Cabs models 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 5.3 tonnes.
The Crafter is an ideal base vehicle for minibus conversions, and Volkswagen have a list of accredited vehicle conversion specialists.
The Crafter has won a number of motor industry awards, including:
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles released a revised Crafter in April 2011. The design of the grille was changed to the current design language of the Volkswagen brand. New power trains based on the 2.0L TDI producing 80 kW/109 PS, 100 kW/136 PS and BiTDI 120 kW/163 PS with the engine revised the payload was increased by up to 10% on some models. The facelift appeared 2 years before the Sprinter on which its based got its own facelift.
In 2011, the 2.5 litre engine was replaced by the 2.0 litre TDI, which utilises exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in conjunction with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), allowing all engine variants to comply with Euro 5b (Euro V) European emission standards, [10] which came into force in September 2011.
Engines (2011–2017) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Model | Engine type | Power | rpm | Torque | rpm | European emission standards |
2.0 TDI CR | 1,968 cc (120 cu in) I4 turbo | 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) | 3500 | 300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) | 1500–2250 | Euro 5b |
136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) | 3500 | 340 N⋅m (251 lb⋅ft) | 1500–2250 | Euro 5b | ||
2.0 BiTDI CR | 163 PS (120 kW; 161 hp) | 4000 | 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) | 1500–2250 | Euro 5b |
In March 2012 the Crafter 4Motion variant was released as an option with one engine BiTDI 120 kW (163 PS; 161 hp). The four wheel drive system is supplied and fitted by Austrian specialists Achleitner.
The second generation of the Volkswagen Crafter was developed entirely by Volkswagen, after the end of their collaboration with Mercedes-Benz. The new design corresponds with the current design line of Volkswagen, and comes in Startline or Trendline trim. The motorhome variant, called the Volkswagen Grand California, was first shown at the 2018 Caravan Salon Düsseldorf. [12] The Grand California comes in two lengths; the 6.0 metre (600) and the 6.8 metre (680) and went on sale at the beginning of 2019.
The second generation Crafter is built in Września, Poland, with a new factory being built specifically for its production. Planned volume is 85,000 vehicles per year, on a 220 ha sized site (300,000 square metres under roof). The cost of the new plant was about 800 million EUR. [13]
Engines (2017–) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Model | Engine type | Power | rpm | Torque | rpm | European emission standards |
2.0 TDI CR | 1,968 cc (120 cu in) I4 turbo | 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) | 3500 | 300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) | 1500–2250 | Euro 6 |
114 PS (84 kW; 112 hp) | 3500 | 300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) | 1500–2250 | Euro 6 | ||
140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) | 3500 | 340 N⋅m (251 lb⋅ft) | 1575–2250 | Euro 6 | ||
2.0 BiTDI CR | 179 PS (132 kW; 177 hp) | 3600 | 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) | 1800 | Euro 6 |
In September 2016, Volkswagen unveiled the e-Crafter all electric van at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover. The concept e-Crafter has a 43 kWh battery that delivers an estimated range of 208 km (129 mi). The van payload is rated at 1,709 kg, and cargo space is listed at 11.3 cubic meters. The e-Crafter has a 100 kW (136 PS; 134 hp) and 290 N⋅m (214 lb⋅ft) electric motor, and top speed is limited to 80 km/h (50 mph). [3] The electric van is production ready, and retail deliveries were slated for 2017. [3]
At the 2017 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen presented the California XXL motorhome concept, based on the Crafter. The 6.2 m long vehicle has a standing height of 2.2 m and is equipped with underfloor heating. The production version was named Grand California and the model went on sale in 2019. It is the larger version of the Volkswagen Transporter based Volkswagen California.
The second generation Crafter is also sold by MAN Truck & Bus as the MAN TGE. MAN is a brand of TRATON, which is the Volkswagen Group's heavy commercial vehicle division. The MAN TGE has a wide range of body types, with the van primarily being sold as a panel van, but also available as a tipper, dropside or crew cab variant. [14]
The all-electric MAN eTGE was unveiled in March 2018 and entered series production in July that year. It can carry up to 1,700 kg (3,700 lb) of load. The maximum power of its permanently excited synchronous motor is 100 kW (130 hp), the maximum torque over the entire speed range is 290 N⋅m (210 lbf⋅ft). The maximum speed is limited to 90 km/h, and the purchase price was around 69,500 euros in 2018. [15]
RMMV and Torsus have entered a strategic partnership ot develop a special operations vehicle based on the a modified variant of the VW Crafter / MAN TGE. Torsus developed an off-roader van, the Terrastorm. [28]
The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car/small family car (C-segment) produced by the German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across eight generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – including as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada, and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico (Mk1).
The Volkswagen Phaeton is a full-size sedan/saloon manufactured by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen, described by Volkswagen as their "premium class" vehicle. Introduced at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, the Phaeton was marketed worldwide. Sales in North America ended in 2006 and global sales ended in 2016.
The Volkswagen Passat is a nameplate of large family cars (D-segment) manufactured and marketed by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen since 1973 and also marketed variously as the Dasher, Santana, Quantum, Magotan, Corsar and Carat — in saloon, estate, and hatchback body styles.
The Audi A3 is a subcompact executive/small family car (C-segment) manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi AG since September 1996, currently in its fourth generation.
The Volkswagen Touran is a car manufactured by German automaker Volkswagen since 2003 and sold in Europe and other select markets. A compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), it fills a gap in Volkswagen's model lineup between the Volkswagen Golf, with which it shares its platform, and the Volkswagen Sharan, its larger counterpart, which ceased production in 2022. The vehicle has been sold in Japan as the Golf Touran and the crossover-styled variant as the CrossTouran. The name 'Touran' is derived from the combination of 'Tour' and 'Sharan'. Despite the similarity of their names, the Touran is not related to the North American market Volkswagen Routan. The vehicle is delivered in five or seven seat versions.
The Volkswagen Caddy is a panel van and leisure activity vehicle (M-segment) produced by the German automaker Volkswagen Group since 1980. It is sold in Europe and in other markets around the world. The Volkswagen Caddy was first introduced in North America in 1980 and in Europe in 1982. The first and second generations also had pick-up variants.
The Volkswagen LT is the largest light commercial panel van produced by Volkswagen from 1975 to 2006, before being replaced by the Crafter. Two generations were produced.
The Škoda Superb is a mid-size/large family car (D-segment) that has been produced by the Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto since 2001. The first generation of the modern Superb, produced from 2001 to 2008, was based on the VW B5 PL45+ platform. The second generation Superb used the B6 A6/PQ46 and was introduced in 2008. The third and current generation using the MQB platform entered production in 2015.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is a German marque of light commercial vehicles, owned by Volkswagen Group. It is headquartered in Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany. Originally part of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, it has operated as a separate marque since 1995.
The Volkswagen Golf Plus is a car that was manufactured by Volkswagen between 2004 and 2014. It has been variously described as a hatchback, a compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), or a combination of the two. It was developed as a taller alternative to the Golf hatchback and positioned below the seven-seater Touran in Volkswagen's MPV category. The car is based on the Golf Mk5, rides on the PQ35 platform, and was accompanied by a crossover-styled variant called the Volkswagen CrossGolf in 2006. Throughout its life cycle, it has been sold alongside the Golf Mk5 and the Golf Mk6 for its final two years.
The Volkswagen Polo Mk3 is the third generation of the Volkswagen Polo supermini car and was produced from 1994 until 2002, with a facelift at the end of 1999. It was available in hatchback, sedan and wagon body styles. Although the Polo Mk3 hatchback didn't share the same platform as the Seat Ibiza, saloon and estate models were rebadged as Seat Córdoba.
The Mercedes-Benz Vito is a mid-sized light commercial vehicle (LCV) produced by Mercedes-Benz, available as a panel van, chassis cab, or multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), carrying cargo or up to eight passengers. In the Mercedes-Benz van lineup, it is positioned between the larger Sprinter and the smaller Citan.
The Volkswagen Amarok is a pickup truck produced by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles since 2010. It is a body-on-frame truck with double-wishbone suspension at the front and leaf springs at the rear. The Amarok range consists of single cab and double cab, combined with either rear-wheel drive or 4motion four-wheel-drive, and is powered by turbocharged petrol or turbocharged direct injection (TDI) diesel engines.
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 is the fifth generation of the Polo, a supermini-class car manufactured by Volkswagen since 2009. The vehicle unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show in March 2009, while the three-door version was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009. A four-door long-wheelbase sedan version has been produced and sold outside Europe in several emerging markets since 2010 either as the Volkswagen Vento or the Volkswagen Polo sedan. A short-wheelbase sedan version was sold in India between 2016 and 2020 as the Volkswagen Ameo.
The B5 version of the Volkswagen Passat, based on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, was launched in 1997 in North America and Europe as well as during March 1998 in Australia.
The Volkswagen Passat is a front-engine D-segment large family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen from 2005 to 2011 (B6) and from 2010 to 2015. Respectively the six and seventh generation Passat, and internally designated B6 and B7, they were marketed in sedan and wagon bodystyles in front-wheel as well as all-wheel drive configurations, with a range of petrol and diesel engines.
The Volkswagen Transporter, based on the Volkswagen Group's T platform, now in its seventh generation, refers to a series of vans produced for over 70 years and marketed worldwide.
The Volkswagen Golf (Mk7) is a C-segment car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. It is the seventh generation in the Golf series and the successor to the Golf Mk6, and was introduced in Berlin on 4 September 2012, before a public launch at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Sales in Europe began with the model in November 2012.
The Volkswagen Jetta (A6) is a compact car, the sixth generation of the Volkswagen Jetta and the successor to the Jetta (A5). Known as the NCS during its development, it was released in 2010 and was phased out since 2018 to make way for the Jetta (A7). The A6 Jetta is notable for leaving the premium positioning in the compact car segment, a strategy employed by Volkswagen to increase volume in the North American market. It also marked the departure from being a sedan derivative of the Golf, opting for a dedicated bodywork instead.
The Volkswagen Golf (Mk8) is a compact car, the eighth generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk7. It was launched in Wolfsburg on 24 October 2019, and arrived in German showrooms in December 2019.