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Another double-cab van currently on sale is the Volkswagen Crafter.

19th August 2010, Page 43
19th August 2010
Page 43
Page 43, 19th August 2010 — Another double-cab van currently on sale is the Volkswagen Crafter.
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We sampled the range-topping CR35, which, like the Kangoo, caters for both people and payload.

The Volkswagen Crafter double-cab, or Kombi as the manufacturer likes to call it, is yet another variant of the popular German panel van. This is no one-trick pony because with a second row of seats the Kombi can move people or payload, or both. when the need arises.

Upfront, you get a bench seat that can accommodate three people in relative comfort, while in the back there's a curiously positioned two-seater; to be fair, VW has made concessions in the load area for internal racking, which therefore intrudes into the back seats.

But no matter, because there's still plenty of room in the back for two passengers. Access is via a large nearside sliding door, and even six-footers can stand up straight in the back without having to stoop. There are also first-class levels of legroom and with the extra space on offer there's plenty of room behind the back seats to store rucksacks or toolboxes.

The traditional load area is accessible through the twin asymmetrical doors that open out a full 270c.

Our test vehicle came in medium wheelbase and high-roof specification, so while there was a degree of compromise in the total load area, the recessed bulkhead provided the perfect platform to install shelving or the like.

It is powered by one of VVV's new, 2.5-litre, BlueTDi, common-rail diesel engines developing 134hp and 330Nm of torque.

What's special about this powerplant is that it has SCR fitted the AdBlue system traditionally associated with HGVs. The result is lower tailpipe emissions, with VW claiming reductions in particulates and NOx.

Being one of the higher output engines, the Kombi was never short of grunt, especially when overtaking slow-moving vehicles on the motorway, however, all that urgency comes at a price.

During our time with the Crafter, we managed an average of 30.4mpg on the motorway and 26mpg in town. Not bad for a big 3.5-tonner, but it was below our expectation.

This particular model, sans extras, costs 225,150, but tick those extra boxes and you could easily be left with a bill of £30,000.

No vehicle is perfect, but as for the rest of the package. the VW Crafter is a tremendous LCV that is geared towards drivers (and passengers for that matter) in terms of comfort practicality with fit-and-finish to match.

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