Volkswagen Crafter Blue MWB 109 2008 Van Review

With the Volkswagen Crafter Blue, the German firm has upgraded its heavy panel van with new eco-friendly engines that promise more power and fewer noxious emissions.

What is it with the Germans and their colours? Both Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have launched new ranges of Euro V engines which are much greener than their predecessors - and then label them 'Blue'. As if that was confusing enough, our test vehicle arrived at Fleet Towers in flaming pillar box red! So why blue and not green?

According to a marketing boffin at Volkswagen it's all to do with the sky, the sea and the colour of our planet from outer space. And - no doubt - a desire by the German contingent to be different from everyone else. Colours aside, there is no doubt about the environmentally-friendly credentials of the van on test here. It's part of Volkswagen's upgraded range of panel vans, chassis-cabs and double-cabs that now boast Euro V engines which are quieter, smoother, more powerful and more fuel-efficient than the old ones.

The improvements come as a result of some engineering jiggery-pokery under the bonnet. For starters, new manual gearboxes are equipped with revised, longer ratios for fifth and sixth gears. In addition, the gearbox now has a shorter throw to allow quicker, more efficient changes. The engines have increased torque by up to 13.6%, plus improved fuel consumption. The official extra urban consumption for a 109bhp engine in a Crafter CR35 panel van has improved by over 7%, from 32.1 mpg to 34.4 mpg. The van also has the latest generation diesel particulate filter. Emissions of particulates, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen have reduced to beyond the requirements of Euro V - and are almost half way to achieving Euro VI standards. NOx reduction is achieved thanks to addition for the first time of an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) catalytic converter together with an additive, the synthetically-produced, water-based solution containing 32.5% urea, AdBlue. 'Selective' refers to the way the catalytic converter selectively converts NOx components in the exhaust system into nitrogen and water without producing undesirable by-products. Stored in an auxiliary tank, the AdBlue solution is continuously sprayed into the exhaust gas, upstream of the SCR catalytic converter. The rate of spray is metered via engine management according to the mass flow rate of the exhaust gas using an NOx sensor downstream of the SCR catalytic converter. Atomised into a vapour through a screen, the urea in the AdBlue is converted in the hot exhaust gas upstream of the catalytic converter, reacting with the nitrogen oxides and splitting them into nitrogen and water.  The 25-30 litre AdBlue tank will be refilled free of charge by the Volkswagen Van Centre network and authorised repairers during the first three years.

Apart from that little lot, the Crafter is much the same hewn-from-rock leviathan that it always has been. The Crafter comes off the same production line in Germany as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter but whereas the Sprinter has a rather fine delicate looking front end, the Crafter has been renosed so that, when viewed in a car driver's rearview mirror, it looks as though a 40-tonne truck is approaching.

A single 2.5-litre TDI engine is on offer, with varying outputs of 88bhp, 109bhp, 136bhp and 163bhp. Our test vehicle is the 109bhp version in medium wheelbase high roof format - the ideal fleet choice in our opinion - and weighs in at £28,435 ex-VAT (prices current as at Dec 2008). All Crafters are highly specced and come as standard with ABS brakes, traction control, remote central locking, height and reach and rake adjustment on the driver's seat. Our test van also had front and rear parking sensors at £316, air-con at a whopping £1,035 and electric heated mirrors at £155.

Behind the wheel

It was a memorable day when the Volkswagen press office first sent pictures of the new Crafter out. I gaped in amazement that the firm could produce such a monstrous looking front end. Were they serious? Three years down the line, I've quite got to like this bruiser - it looks chunkier and tougher than its Mercedes-Benz brother, although in reality they are the same vehicle. Both have built up an awesome reputation among fleets since their launch - indeed the Crafter was only just pipped at the post by the Sprinter for the title of heavy panel van of the year at the Fleet Van awards this year. And it's no surprise at all to see that both German firms are in the forefront of technology, being the first to bring Euro V engines to market.

But can this technology really make that much difference to a vehicle that has already been feted as being smooth, quite and fuel-efficient? The answer is a definite yes. Climbing into the Crafter's great lofty cab, there is an almost eerie silence when the engine is switched off. Snick that smooth dash-mounted six-speed gearstick into place and the Crafter glides off as though a gentle breath of breeze is wafting it along from behind. Dab the throttle and even in this relatively low-powered format, the van will surge forward with a fine display of power. The engineers have certainly done their stuff well.

Meanwhile the power steering set-up is weighted slightly on the heavy side - just how I like it - giving plenty of feel of what's going on between the steering wheel and the road. The rear doors open to reveal a cavernous interior and even as a specimen of 6ft 3in I could stand up straight in the back. There is a handy wipe-clean floor but we'd definitely recommend interior ply-lining to keep the van looking smart at selling time.

The Crafter isn't cheap mind you. For £23,360 you can buy a medium wheelbase Ford Transit (prices current as at Dec 2008). But of course, Volkswagen would argue that the extra quality and technology is worth the money - not to mention the kudos that a Crafter commands when being shown off in front of customers. The cab is worth mentioning again purely because it is such an awe-inspiring place to be. The climb up into the driver's seat is a big one, which means that the driver has a commanding view of the road ahead. The driver's seat is a dream and hugs the figure from the back of the knees to the neck. We also give the Crafter top marks for the fact that ESP traction control comes as standard. It does, too, on the Sprinter and Transit but all other heavy panel vans on sale in the UK at present sadly have this wonderful life-saving device as a paid-for option.

Verdict

In this format the Crafter is a mighty vehicle to drive - but once behind the wheel, it's a smooth and easy performer. With the extra power and fuel econmomy we're beginning to wonder just how much better vans can get.