At first glance the new Crafter looks the way it always has: spacious, high-quality and comfortable. But upon closer inspection it becomes clear that there is much more to this large transporter from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: For example, the new Crafter’s cockpit features a new infotainment system, with a free-standing display positioned in the middle of the dash panel. This, together with the Digital Cockpit – with which you can keep track of important information – and the standard multifunction display, makes operation intuitive. The system software offers modern apps, has the optional digital IDA voice assistant with ChatGPT integration – and offers a high degree of personalisation. Other new features include several electronic control elements such as the electronic parking brakes with auto-hold functionality and the selector switch of the optional 8-speed automatic gearbox, the control elements of the light functions, the keyboards in the centre of the console and all the vents.

The spectrum of the new, now standard and optional assistants – which always operates within its system boundaries – take the Crafter product line to a new level. The following features now generally come as standard: Front Assist (emergence brake assist including cyclist and pedestrian detection), Lane Assist, road sign recognition, a speed limiter and an acoustic parking aid for the rear. Travel Assist is being offered as an option for the Crafter for the first time. It combines adaptive cruise control (ACC – automatic acceleration and braking) and Lane Assist. This can improve comfort and safety, particularly on long-distance journeys. Alongside Travel Assist, Emergency Assist (automatic braking and manoeuvring to the side of the road until the vehicle comes to a standstill) has also been introduced to the Crafter. The Crafter with a gross vehicle weight of over 3.5 tons (N2) now come with a blind spot information system as standard. This system can alert the driver to pedestrians and cyclists or scooter riders who are in the blind spot to the side of the vehicle when driving in the city (0-30 km/h). Likewise, a moving off information system (can let the driver know whether there are pedestrians in front of the Crafter when they pull away) is now standard for models over 3.5 tons. This system is available as an option for vehicles with a gross weight of up to 3.5 tons (N1).

Thanks to its three different wheelbases, the new Crafter can load up to six euro pallets at the same time – and this can be done very quickly and easily thanks to its first-class loading capacity. The new Crafter can also be used in numerous other scenarios, as its load compartment works not only for delivery and courier services, but also as a mobile workshop for services and customer services, for example: The new Crafter is the only vehicle in its class with body-side preparations for shelf installations as standard. The range of uses is also expanded by numerous optional loading solutions.

Presales began at the end of April. The new Crafter will be launched with two TDI engines with 103 and 130 kW respectively, six-speed manual transmission, and front-wheel drive; further drive variants – including versions with 8-speed automatic transmission and/or all-wheel drive as well as rear-wheel drive – will follow in the coming months.

The panel van with normal roof and two high-roof variants as well as two wheelbases and three vehicle lengths (6.0 to 7.4 metres) are now available as body variants, as is the flatbed with single cab and as a chassis. Like its predecessors, the new Crafter offers a wide range of body types: from closed panel van to single and double cab as a platform and chassis, as well as box body and dump truck.