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Crafter CR35
Page 54
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The most recent entrant to the one-stop bodied-vehicle market is Volkswagen with its Engineered To Go range. This example is a 3.5-tonne Crafter double cab fitted with the popular Ingimex Titan body.
Features include a one-piece weld-free steel floor and alloy sides. While the headboard and gantry look less sturdy than some, the gantry is still rated for a 250kg load. The tipping gear incorporates a single-ram scissor mechanism controlled by a wanderlead unit. We did have reservations about the location of the removable-key isolator switch, low down on the nearside chassis rail where it will receive a good dose of crud.
Drive from the Crafter's 109hp straight-five is through VVV's Shiftmatic automated manual transmission to single rear wheels—essentially the unit used by Mercedes in the Sprinter before it took the torque-converter/full-auto route. The changes are generally smooth and well timed, but can feel a bit ponderous if you're in a hurry.
The big question with lightweight rear-wheeldrive tippers is whether single or twin rear wheels are best, so we tested the single-wheeled Crafter on a two-mile cross-country route. Typical of many working environments, it was mostlyflat with a decent foundation beneath the surface mud and a few challenging softer patches. These provoked some intervention from the traction control on the full ESP electronic chassis, only noticeable by the brief flashes from the yellow dash light.
There is no right answer, but the extra ground pressure of singles should be a benef it in most situations.
On road, the Crafter gave a smooth and refined drive. WV has never shied away from showcasing a selection of options on its press fleet and this example was no exception. Over three grand's worth of extras included DVD, colour sat-nay, black-pearl paint and airbags all round.
The optional single front passenger seat allows easy access to the four seats at the back of the spacious and well finished crewcab.