Volkswagen Announces New Crafter Will Get 2.0 TDI Engines

It’s been five years since the current Crafter made its world debut at the Commercial Vehicle Show and Volkswagen is announcing early information about a new Crafter ahead of its start of production later this summer. The info provided indicates to an increase in payload capacity and improved efficiency, emissions and running costs.

The current generation has already been named an EEV (Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle), thanks to its range of five-cylinder 2.5-liter BlueTDI engines, whose emissions comfortably exceed the requirements of Euro 5 standards. This will be further improved by the introduction of the latest 2.0-liter common rail TDIs across the range. Power output will remain comparable, but early data indicates that emissions could be as low as 195 g/km.

The 2.0 TDI engines are already proven in the new Amarok pick-up, Caddy and Transporter and have been praised for their refinement and efficiency.  This engine is expected to reduce fuel consumption and emissions figures for the new Crafter by up to 33 percent.

Running costs could also be reduced by up to 25 percent thanks to better fuel consumption and lower servicing costs. Volkswagen patented BlueMotion Technology combined with a Start/Stop system and battery regeneration is also expected to be introduced for the new Crafter. Weight savings from the new engines, together with other technical modifications, will also allow payload increases.

“The Crafter is already great to drive, has plenty of carrying ability with good environmental credentials, so enhancements to running costs and payloads are guaranteed to prove very successful and attract new customers,” said Matthew Bowden, Head of Operations, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.