With more than 354,000 units sold, the second generation of Volkswagen’s commercial model, which will hit the market in April 2024, now receives an extensive technical update that includes a new instrument panel and new driver assistance systems.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has revealed that the interior of its popular commercial model has been completely renovated, now featuring a 10.3″ infotainment screen, with a 12.9″ option available, based on the latest MIB modular infotainment matrix from the Volkswagen Group.
The system features a newly developed graphical interface and a self-explanatory navigation menu, which will be introduced simultaneously in other vehicles of the brand.
Divided into two tactile bars, permanently visible and with the home screen, the system now has a new direct access button, which allows the driver to open the main menu with an overview of all applications with just one click, while next to it is a button for the new Car Control Centre, which provides direct access to the most important vehicle functions.
A lower tactile bar contains the air conditioning and seat heating functions and has a “home” button, which allows the driver to return to the central screen at any time. The temperatures and audio volume can now be adjusted using illuminated touch sliders. The Crafter will also receive a new online voice control system that responds to voice commands.
The refreshed Volkswagen Crafter debuts a new configurable digital instrument panel as standard, which can be adjusted using the buttons located on the new multifunction steering wheel.
In addition, the Crafter’s update also includes an electric parking brake that is now located between the instrument panel and the infotainment system, to free up space in the central console. The gear lever in the automatic transmission version has been replaced with a switch on a satellite behind the steering wheel, similar to the ID. Buzz, while in versions with manual transmission, the gear lever remains located in the central console.
The controls for the lighting functions, the button panels in the central console area, and all air vents have also been redesigned and repositioned. Instead of USB-A ports, the new Crafter features USB-C interfaces and an option for wireless charging for smartphones.
Regarding driving assistance systems, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced that the updated Crafter will have an extensive list of safety and driver support systems, including the debut, for vehicles weighing over 3.5 tons, of a blind spot information system that alerts the driver to pedestrians, cyclists, or scooter riders in the blind spot next to the Crafter when driving in urban traffic at speeds up to 30 km/h. Also new and standard for models over 3.5 tons is the deceleration information system (informs the driver when there are pedestrians in front of the Crafter).
Once again, the Crafter will be available with a wide range of body types, from closed vans to single and double cabins. In addition, there will be different weight classes (up to 5,500 kg gross vehicle weight), two wheelbase distances (3.64 and 4.49 meters), and various total lengths (6.0 to 7.4 meters).
In addition, the Crafter will be offered with four roof heights (2.4 to just under 3.0 meters) and will be available with front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive.
In addition to a six-speed manual gearbox and an eight-speed automatic transmission for front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models, the German brand has announced that a new eight-speed automatic transmission will be available for rear-wheel drive variants.
In terms of engines, Volkswagen has confirmed that the updated Crafter will continue to offer four-cylinder turbo diesel engines with power versions of 140 hp, 163 hp, and 177 hp.
