Auspicious beginnings
The Crafter is produced by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and, while the brand was established formally in July 1995, its beginnings can be traced back to 1947 – when the legendary Transporter was conceived. In that year, Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon first produced a sketch of the new model. Named the Type 29, the van was presented to the media on November 12, 1949, and went into production in Wolfsburg on March 8, 1950.
This signalled the start of a new vehicle class and established what has remained the cornerstone for the success of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to this day.
Time for a tweak
The Crafter, officially introduced in 2006 to replace the Volkswagen Transporter LT, has been a sales success, with over 354,000 second-generation models sold. Now, it's time for a tweak, featuring a new digital cockpit, updated infotainment system, a new multifunction steering wheel, and innovative assist systems.
Karsten Franz, Head of Technical Development at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, reveals that the successful model is getting even better. “We have updated the Crafter’s electronics architecture to integrate the next-generation infotainment, assist and convenience systems into the successful model. This means the Crafter will remain the most advanced commercial vehicle model series in its class.”
Adds Chief Designer Albert Kirzinger: “We have deliberately focused on revamping the interior. The result is an intuitive state-of-the-art cockpit landscape that reflects modern times and makes the driver’s everyday work easier.”
New infotainment system
The defining interior detail of the 2024 Crafter is a 10.3-inch and optionally 12.9-inch infotainment display based on the latest modular infotainment matrix (MIB). The Volkswagen system features a newly developed graphic interface and self-explanatory menu navigation, as was presented for the first time in mid-2023 for the new long-wheelbase ID. Buzz. The display has been divided into two permanently visible touch bars and the home screen.
On the left of the top bar on the display, there is a new direct access button, which enables the driver to open the main menu with an overview of all apps with just one click. Next to this is a button for the new Car Control Centre, which offers direct access to the most important vehicle functions. The Crafter is also getting a new online voice control system that responds to natural voice commands.
Fresh digital display
The upcoming Crafter model will introduce digital instruments as a standard feature for the first time. With the help of a new “View” button on the newly designed multifunction steering wheel, drivers can effortlessly choose from various displays, tailoring the information to their preferences. Each display offers a range of menus and information, covering aspects like speed, range, navigation, telephone, and media library. The control of these features is managed conveniently through the buttons on the updated multifunction steering wheel.
New switches and sockets
The traditional handbrake is history! In its place is an electronically operated parking brake switch (located between the instruments and the infotainment system). This frees up the space next to the driver’s seat and improves access to the rear, making it easier to operate a driver’s seat that can be rotated by 180 degrees. The switch for the eight-speed automatic gearbox has also been redesigned.
USB-A sockets are also history, and the updated Crafter is equipped with USB-C interfaces. In keeping with modern vehicles, it offers the convenience of inductive charging for smartphones.
Safety to the fore
We all know how hazardous our roads are – so it’s good to see the range of assistance systems being expanded. For instance, one of the new standard features on vehicles with a GWM of above 3.5 tonnes is a blind spot information system, which alerts the driver to pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists who are in the blind spot to the side of the Crafter when driving in urban traffic (at speeds up to 30 km/h).
New transmission
The new Crafter will come in front-wheel, rear-wheel and all-wheel drive guise. In addition to the well-known six-speed manual gearbox and eight-speed automatic gearbox for the front-wheel and all-wheel drive models, a new eight-speed automatic gearbox will be equipped to variants with rear-wheel drive. The existing four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engines will once again deliver 103kW, 120kW and 130kW.
SA, here we come!
Pre-sales of the new Crafter are scheduled to start in Europe in April next year, followed by markets such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America. Expect to see it here in the third quarter of 2024.
