A NEW Volkswagen Crafter van will be going on sale in August with the company claiming reduced running costs and class-leading fuel economy of up to 38.7mpg.
Powered by a two-litre common rail diesel engine which VW also uses in its Transporter van and the Amarok pick-up, the new Crafter has CO2 emissions reduced to 199g/km from 258g/km compared to the previous model.
Prices start from £20,450, excluding VAT, for a CR30 2.0-litre TDI 109 PS short wheelbase panel van – an increase of £320 over the outgoing van.
The Crafter will be available in a choice of three wheelbases, three roof heights, four body lengths and three gross vehicle weights of 3.0, 3.5 and 5.0 tonnes.
Engine power outputs from the two-litre engine are 109, 136, 143 and 163 PS and all are fitted with VW’s BlueMotion eco systems to reduce emissions and keep fuel costs down.
VW says the new Crafter CR35 2.0-litre TDI 163PS medium wheelbase panel van achieves 29 per cent better fuel economy on the combined cycle than the previous 2.5-litre BlueTDI engine with the same power output - equivalent of up to eight miles further per gallon, which could add over 130 miles to the range of the 75 litre fuel tank.