Comfort and ease of use typify the VW cab-design approach.

The medium commercial vehicle (MCV) sector is going great guns right now with buyers snapping up a host of highly competitive models for all sorts of applications. The fact that MCV vans can accommodate pallets may have something to do with their popularity, as much as their enhanced comfort, safety and fuel consumption features. Joining the fray as of April 2007 is the new Volkswagen Crafter, a gutsy turbo diesel van with pugnacious tendencies, reports Paul Collings. This new release from VW picks up where the LT range left off, bringing up-to-the-minute technologies to a hotly contested market segment. It's common knowledge that the 'reigning champ' in this 'middleweight' battle is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, of which a 2007 range has hit our shores, with 'hot contenders' coming from the Iveco and Peugeot stables. So how does the Crafter square up at the weigh-in? Options VW's new Crafter range comes in two basic derivatives - the Crafter 35 and the Crafter 50, the numbers denoting gross vehicle mass. Both set out to meet specific market needs with high roof and long wheelbase options available. Buyers can choose to fit an extra sliding door as well as have glass fitted to rear doors and bulk head. Aircon, foglights and wooden load floors are also optional extras. From a cosmetics point of view, the Crafter is available in three paint finishes with 14 different colour choices. Power and efficiency All the Crafter models are equipped with the latest Euro 4 common-rail turbo diesel injection units from Piezo feeding economical five-cylinder 2.5 and 2.8litre engines (equipped as standard with a particulate filter, exhaust gas recirculation and an oxidation catalytic converter ) driving a six-speed manual transmission. The two Crafter powerplant options push out 80kW and 120kW respectively at 3500rpm. Torque peaks at 280Nm and 350Nm at 2000rpm.

Payload volumes that pack a punch - a whopping 17 cubic metres in the extra-high roof/extra-long wheelbase (rear overhang) Crafter 50 model. Electronic braking, load sensing and stability control bring the latest safety technologies to the VW Commercial Vehicle stable.

Driving the Crafter test models around Kyalami Race Track with a ton of sand bags in the back was much like driving a luxury sedan. The hill up to Wesbank corner posed no problem cruising at 100km/h with plenty of power to spare. What's more, cornering didn't bring on the fear of gravity. 

Payload
The Crafter range can carry between 1.5 and 2 tons of payload with a volume capacity between 9 and a top-of-class 17m³ in the extra-long wheelbase/extra-high roof option. According to VW SA's communications director, Bill Stephens, this is 25% more load space than offered by the biggest LT derivative.

Safety
In essence, the Crafter is a modern Euro commercial vehicle with all the safety features one has come to expect in competitor models. ABS, EBD and ESP come standard, as does electronic differential lock (EDL) says Stephens: "The side turn signals are integrated into the mirror housings - a first in its class. On the windscreen, separate air vents prevent the windscreen wipers from freezing to the glass, and options with a rear-view window also have rear windscreen wipers and a heated rear window with filaments running along the 'stop positions' for the wipers. All fully-enclosed bodywork comes with a third brake lamp as standard. New extras such as a heated windscreen or the light/rain sensor add to the exemplary level of safety."

As far as passive safety features are concerned, "all seats have height-adjustable headrests and a three-point safety belt with a tensioner," adds Stephens. "A driver airbag comes as standard with an optional passenger airbag and head-and-side airbags as further options. In the event of an impact, the energy is carried off in part via crumple zones in the front section, longitudinal frame members and the drive train."

Load securing designs in commercial vans are getting more advanced year-on-year and the Crafter is equipped with several lashing points on the floor and walls of the load body. "Easy repair options are also part of the safety concept for the Crafter," Stephens says. "Many parts are screw-fastened, thereby making any replacement simple and cost-efficient."

Comfort
With a seating position similar to that of a car and a wide range of adjustment options it's easy to become quickly accustomed to driving the vehicle. Features like remote central locking, electronic window winders and clothes hooks certainly add a dash of luxury to the workhorse. Storage space is well taken care of too with large door compartments complete with bottle-holder, spacious compartments on the dashboard and overhead stowage and several drinks-holders. 

Service
With VW SA gearing up to bring in the big VW trucks from Brazil, the local dealer network is growing. The current dedicated commercial vehicle network numbers 15 facilities around the country, with a further 19 combined passenger/van dealerships. 

"This footprint will grow as new VW Commercial Vehicles enter the market. Couple this on-the-ground support with a two-year/unlimited mileage warranty and 15 000km service intervals and you're looking at real peace of mind," says Stephens.

Price
Comparing prices across this sector, the Crafter is competitively priced, favouring the upper reaches of the price band, ranging between R259 900 and R343 600, including VAT.

Seconds out
The Crafter certainly looks the part and for transporters who favour the underdog, this van has a 'working class hero' pedigree underlying its modern styling and swanky features, which include a CD/radio combo as a standard fitment.

It's bound to be an interesting contest...