Volkswagen's Crafter Gets with the Times

The large Volkswagen utility vehicle undergoes a comprehensive technical update including a new onboard environment.

The Crafter is among the most modern utility vehicles in its segment. By the end of last year, more than 354,000 units had already been sold in its current generation. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles presents an initial overview of the extensive technical redesign brought to the model. Its hardware and software components have undergone a major upgrade. The cockpit environment, in particular, has been entirely revamped. State-of-the-art infotainment systems have been included. Other innovations include: the Digital Cockpit, the multifunction steering wheel, electronic parking brake, and numerous driver assistance systems.

New infotainment system: The most notable feature inside the 2024 Crafter is a 10.3’’ infotainment display (12.9’’ available as an option) based on the all-new modular infotainment platform (MIB), designed to form a standalone unit. Volkswagen’s system includes a completely new graphical interface and intuitive menu navigation, first introduced this summer on the new long-wheelbase ID. Buzz. Finally, the Crafter will be equipped with a novel, online voice control system that reacts to natural language commands.

Volkswagen Crafter — The big VW utility is keeping up with the times

New digital instruments: The second-generation Crafter will be equipped with a set of digital instruments called “digital cockpit” as standard. Using a dedicated button on the multifunction steering wheel, also new, the driver will be able to select different display modes and customize the screen according to their needs.

New electronic controls: The parking brake and the eight-speed automatic transmission selector have also been redesigned. Until now, the Crafter was equipped with a conventional brake lever next to the driver’s seat. The new generation, however, includes an electronic parking brake with a control button located between the instruments and the infotainment system. This freed-up space facilitates access to the rear of the vehicle and simplifies the use of the driver’s seat (which rotates 180°), especially in camper vans. The gear shifter now resembles that of the ID. Buzz. For models with a manual transmission, the gear lever remains on the center console; future automatic models will feature a drink compartment on the center console instead.

New assistance systems: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles aims to diversify its range of assistance systems. Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight over 3.5 tons (category N2) will now come with a standard blind-spot monitor, which will alert the driver to the presence of pedestrians, cyclists, or mopeds in the Crafter’s blind spots when driving in urban areas (0 to 30 km/h). Another standard feature in this category is a pedestrian and cyclist detection system at the front of the Crafter when it starts moving (Moving-Off Information System, MOIS), and a lane change assistant capable of braking in case of a collision risk with oncoming traffic.

Wide variety of versions: Again – this is one of the model’s great strengths – the Crafter will be available in various body styles: van, platform or chassis cab, with single or double cab, or covered truck and tipper.