Volkswagen have been making campervans for the reason that unique Kombi within the Fifties, so the German model is aware of a factor or two on this house.

At a manufacturing unit degree it has a spread of California-branded camper variations of its present vary of economic vans, together with the Caddy, T6.1 Transporter in addition to the Crafter. It’s even proven off a California idea model of its new plug-in hybrid Multivan.

The Australian market has seen various these automobiles imported and bought domestically, although the bigger Crafter Grand California was by no means in a position to be bought right here resulting from points with getting the sliding aspect door on the left-hand aspect for Aussie roads.

Volkswagen Business Autos Australia due to this fact mentioned “if you would like one thing completed proper, do it your self”.

Nicely, kind of. In collaboration with leisure automobile and caravan specialist Jayco, Volkswagen Business Autos Australia created the Crafter Kampervan by Jayco, first revealed to the general public on the 2022 Caravan Tenting Vacation Supershow and subsequently bought in restricted numbers on-line later that 12 months – all 60 of them bought out in minutes.

Now for 2024 Volkswagen and Jayco are again once more with the aptly named ‘GEN2’ model of the Crafter Kampervan, full with feedback-based updates and upgrades, along with a streamlined vary. The business automobiles division has launched various high quality checks within the manufacturing course of in keeping with manufacturing unit requirements.

Whereas the preliminary allocation for GEN2 is quoted as the identical “60+ models” as GEN1 for the rest of 2024, the corporate has promised it’s working with its manufacturing unit in Germany to safe extra Crafter base models in 2025 to extend its Kampervan capability.

As with the unique, the 2024 Volkswagen Crafter Kampervan by Jayco is totally backed by VW’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee in addition to 5 years of normal roadside help. These are additionally manufactured in Melbourne by Jayco, making this fairly the localised venture.

Is that this the proper campervan for the adventurous and nomadic?

How does the Volkswagen Crafter evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the Volkswagen Crafter towards equally sized automobiles.

Volkswagen

Crafter

How a lot does the Volkswagen Crafter value?

The 2024 Volkswagen Crafter Kampervan by Jayco vary begins from $157,990 plus on-road prices.

All costs exclude on-road prices

To see how the Volkswagen Crafter traces up towards its rivals, try our comparability device.

What’s the Volkswagen Crafter like on the within?

There’s quite a bit occurring right here.

Whereas the primary row of seating and entrance of cabin is all inventory customary VW Crafter, behind these manufacturing unit swivelling entrance seats it’s all bespoke Kampervan.

There’s a folding desk slotting between the 2 rows of seating that may also be eliminated and used exterior, and there’s storage beneath the second-row seat base – the latter new with the GEN2 Kampervan. You too can convert the third and fourth seats into one thing of a second mattress, and there’s a curler blind for the rear aspect home windows.

Being primarily based on the present Crafter LWB with excessive roof, there’s a manufacturing unit 8.0-inch ‘Uncover Media’ navigation system with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to Bluetooth cellphone and audio streaming, FM radio, USB-C integration and four-speaker audio.

There’s a mid-life replace coming to the Crafter later this 12 months that can deliver little in aesthetic adjustments however a considerable soar in tech, successfully bringing the new-gen Digital Cockpit setup from the likes of the Caddy and Golf in addition to an enhanced suite of driver help and semi autonomous driving programs.

These tech upgrades will doubtless be mirrored on 2025-build Kampervans.

As you progress again there’s a full kitchen setup that includes a gasoline cooktop with hinged glass lid, a 90-litre 12V fridge, 240V microwave, and even a full bathe and bathroom behind a mirror door full with an on-demand gas-powered sizzling water system. It’s like a rolling resort room!

Feeding all these ‘Habitat’ options are a 120-litre contemporary water tank, an 80-litre gray water tank, in addition to a 9kg gasoline bottle saved in a sealed compartment.

Externally there’s a mixed dual-USB and 240V energy outlet accessible from the skin working space, in addition to mains energy and water inputs on the right-hand aspect of the automobile.

A revised electrically operated aspect step – which opens and closes through a change but in addition mechanically folds away when the automobile is put in Drive – has been optimised for the GEN2, and aids ingress and egress.

There are heaps of storage drawers and cabinets dotted about. Volkswagen says it has enhanced storage in areas just like the kitchen and each beside and underneath the rear double mattress space.

Pure air flow has been improved with the assorted extra fly screens which were utilized on this second iteration, permitting the aspect and rear home windows to be left open however coated by the insect-blocking nets. You additionally get blackout blinds all through for added privateness if you want it.

The rear bedding space includes a queen-width mattress and glued mattress, together with a 1.8m-long Cloud9 Luxurious internal spring mattress. VW Business Autos says this mattress is upgraded from the GEN1 Kampervan, and the mattress top has been raised to permit for the extra rear storage.

You additionally get USB and 240V energy shops within the sleeping space to cost your gadgets, and there are a pair of private studying lights with extra USB cost factors.

There are swivel followers for cross-ventilation, they usually fold into their mounts to permit for extra headroom when not in use.

Above the mattress space is an AC outlet fed by a Dometic Harrier Lite roof-mounted air-conditioner. There’s additionally an Eberspacher diesel heating system for cooler climates.

Finishing the rear quarters is a Sphere 12V TV with built-in DVD participant, which will be hooked up to a swivel mount within the kitchen or on the bedside.

Out again behind the tailgate is a trundle tray with a 75kg load restrict, the place you’ll additionally discover the awning instruments in addition to pockets to retailer the manufacturing unit chair and desk set when not in use.

You additionally want the services to energy these things, so the Crafter Kampervan comes geared up with a 400Ah lithium home battery enclosed in a batter field, teamed with a 3000W inverter which may run the entire automobile’s 240V sockets off grid, in addition to a 60A DC-DC charger which makes use of the automobile’s engine to shortly prime up the battery – all provided by Projecta.

VW Business Autos and Jayco have almost doubled the capability of the onboard battery in addition to the charging capability of the DC-to-DC charger (from 30A to 60A).

There’s additionally a secondary OEM automobile battery and 200W photo voltaic panel on board, with VW quoting off-grid capability of greater than three days with no AC, or 6-7 hours with AC. Photo voltaic blanket enter can also be provided through an Anderson plug, which is positioned for windscreen or rear mounting.

The corporate says the Crafter Kampervan GEN2 presents higher customary battery capability, inverter dimension and DC-DC charging capability than key rivals from Trakka, Horizon and even Jayco’s personal motorhome vary. It’s all managed through a

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The Crafter Kampervan vary is powered by a 2.0 TDI 410 bi-turbo diesel with customary 4Motion all-wheel drive.

To see how the Volkswagen Crafter compares with its rivals, try our comparability device.

How does the Volkswagen Crafter drive?

Regardless of its very hefty dimensions, the Crafter Kampervan is surprisingly simple to drive.

We had a stint every within the Kampervan Type and All-Terrain, with the primary leg beginning in Phillip Island and ending in Gembrook in Victoria’s far-east, and the second stint ranging from our Gembrook cease and ending within the Toolangi Forest.

Consider the Kampervan is predicated on the LWB Excessive Roof variant of the Crafter, which means it’s an enormous 6836mm lengthy, 2040mm extensive (2427mm incl. mirrors) and rides on a 4490mm wheelbase. It’s additionally an entire 2850mm tall – she large!

Regardless that VW doesn’t quote a weight determine for both Crafter Kampervan variant, the added weight of the conversion plus the 4.3t GVM improve means there’s a variety of heavy obligation stuff for the two.0-litre turbo-diesel to lug round.

So, even with only one particular person on board, it’s not significantly fast. That mentioned, with the quantity of equipment on board and the chance of knick-knacks being saved in cabinets or within the fridge, you wouldn’t wish to be driving this factor significantly shortly or aggressively, lest you injury or unsettle what you’re carrying.

Our first leg was undertaken within the All-Terrain variant, which has the identical driveline and customary spec of the Type however provides a 50mm whole suspension carry package deal on prime of smaller 16-inch metal wheels with all-terrain tyres, in addition to a snorkel and Seikel underbody safety.

With a standard eight-speed computerized and 410Nm on faucet from 2000rpm, there’s a relative smoothness and linearity to the heavy-duty Crafter’s drivetrain that’s maybe much less hesitant off the road and extra standard on the transfer than a few of VW’s smaller business vans with dual-clutch transmissions.

It responds fairly precisely to inputs, although if you happen to’re needing to get a transfer on shortly – for instance, whereas pulling out of a slip lane or driving by way of a roundabout break level on a high-speed nation freeway (like Victoria’s Bass Hwy) – that you must actually wring its neck. This considerably upsets the in any other case refined atmosphere.

Talking of refinement, given the open cabin and boxy proportions, the Crafter Kampervan’s insulation from highway and wind noise is admirable. The one actual noise I heard had been the insides of the cabinets and fridge flexing over more durable bumps.

The raised experience top and chunkier tyres of the All-Terrain appeared to absorb highway imperfections a bit higher than the Type, and it presents a bit of extra peace of thoughts when negotiating steeper dips and driveways so that you’re not at all times petrified of scraping it – plus, I feel it seems to be freaking robust.

Hopping into the lower-riding and street-focused Type there wasn’t a large distinction however there was a slight added firmness which additionally meant higher dealing with as a trade-off. We additionally discovered the leg within the Type to yield higher gas consumption, regardless of the majority of the All-Terrain’s route being on the freeway – higher aerodynamics, maybe.

If something the Type is much more car-like, making it a straightforward factor to pilot even when, just like the All-Terrain, that you must give that little further hole when making breaks in visitors. However actually, I used to be shocked at how simple it was to pilot.

The essential instrument cluster with clear analogue gauges and a monochrome multifunction show are all conversant in the VW Business vary in addition to entry-level passenger automobile product. It presents a wide range of shows for journey laptop, help options, digital speedometer and numerous fast choose settings.

Each variations supply a commanding view of the highway forward and all the driving force controls and ergonomics are decidedly car-like, which makes it a fairly seamless transition for a VW proprietor like myself.

The leather-wrapped steering wheel, for instance, is rather like the one in my sister’s Polo, and it’s hooked as much as a properly weighted electromechanical energy steering system which is speed-sensitive and properly correct in really feel.

I’ll notice rearward visibility is obstructed by the rear bulkheads and bedding space, and it’s a disgrace there’s solely a rear-view digicam as a substitute of a surround-view monitor. A minimum of there are entrance and rear parking sensors that will help you keep away from backing into one thing or binging the nostril whereas parking.

Talking of assistants, the Crafter Kampervan comes with VW’s ‘Entrance Help’ encompassing autonomous emergency braking and ahead collision warning; driver fatigue monitoring; adaptive cruise management; pace limiter; blind-spot monitoring; rear cross-traffic alert; and lane-keep help.

The All-Terrain we examined confirmed an error for the adaptive cruise management through the freeway stint, however in any other case having the added eyes on the again of your head from the blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings assist loads given this factor’s colossal size, and the lane-keeping system helps you stick between skinnier lane markings.

It’s not fairly as refined a collection as a few of VW’s newer passenger and business choices, although the incoming mid-life replace for the usual Crafter vary ought to deliver stuff like Journey Help and prolonged performance of different programs for better autonomy.

Whereas not explicitly confirmed on the occasion, VW Business’s workforce alluded to those adjustments being mirrored on future Kampervans doubtless from 2025 onwards, as provide from the European manufacturing unit improves within the new 12 months.

What do you get?

For 2024 the vary has been trimmed to 2 variants – the Type and All-Terrain.

Crafter Kampervan Type highlights:

Exterior

• 17-inch ‘Lismore’ alloy wheels
• Computerized LED headlights
• LED daytime working lights
• Headlight washer system
• Fog lights incl. cornering perform
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Electrical folding mirrors
• Sliding door, left
• Rear barn doorways with heated window
• Warmth-insulating windshield, laminated glass
• Heated rear home windows

Infotainment

• Uncover Media infotainment system
  • 8.0-inch touchscreen
  • Satellite tv for pc navigation
  • Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
  • Bluetooth
  • FM radio
  • USB-C inputs
  • 4-speaker sound system

Kampervan Habitat Options – Batteries, Expertise and Leisure

• Projecta Energy Administration system
  • 240V 30A DC built-in charger
• Projecta 60A DC-DC charger
• Projecta 400Ah lithium home battery
• Lippert management panel
• 12V and 240V energy sockets
• Roof-mounted photo voltaic panel, 200W
• Sphere 12V TV incl. built-in DVD participant
• Furrion stereo CD/DVD/radio
• Inside, exterior stereo audio system
• Wi-Fi extender
• Digital TV aerial

Kampervan Habitat Options – Exterior

• Fiamma handbook field awning – 4.0m
• 9kg gasoline bottle
• Exterior bathe, water entry
• Exterior 240V energy level
• Exterior 12V energy level
• Exterior TV level
• LED Annex mild

Kampervan Habitat Options – Inside

• Massive pot drawers incl. Ezi-Glide runners
• Kitchen cupboards
• Trundle tray underneath mattress storage
• Bedside storage compartment
• Exterior electrical step for left sliding door
• Lavatory
• Kitchen
• 12V fridge – 90L
• Fuel cooktop with hinged glass lid
• Microwave 240V
• LED mild strip underneath overhead cabinets
• Home Harrier Lite rooftop-mounted AC
• Eberspacher diesel heating system
• Contemporary water tank – 120L
• Gray water tank – 80L
• On-demand gasoline sizzling water system
• 2 x followers
• LED lighting

Kampervan Habitat Options – Consolation

• 2 x desk settings
• Cloud 9 double mattress
  • Innerspring mattress
  • Pillow prime
• Roof hatch in residing space
• Exhaust fan hatch in bathe
• Facet, rear door fly netting

Equipment and Free Objects

• Exterior fittings, attachments, hose
  • Again water hose
  • Blue non-toxic water hose
  • 3-piece brass adapter set
• 1 x cover
• 1 x blanket, throw rug
• 1 x kitchen drawer administration system
• 1 x plastic chopping board
• 1 x energy extension lead
• 2 x fold-out chairs
• 1 x fold-out camper desk
• 1 x hearth extinguisher
• 2 x Fiamma degree professional set
• Photo voltaic screens for all entrance home windows

Crafter Kampervan All-Terrain provides:

Exterior

• 16-inch black metal wheels
• 235/65 R16 AT tyres
• Snorkel
• 50mm whole carry package deal
• Seikel underbody safety

Choices

The Crafter Kampervan vary is on the market with a spread of paint finishes – the one choices out there.

Strong: $NCO

Metallic: $2385

Two Tone: $4060

• Sweet White + Deep Ocean
• Sweet White + Cherry Purple
• Sweet White + Mojave Beige
• Reflex Silver + Indium Gray

Is the Volkswagen Crafter secure?

The Crafter Kampervan doesn’t have an ANCAP security score, nor does the usual Crafter lineup.

Commonplace security options embody:

Security Tools

• Twin entrance airbags
• Twin front-side, curtain airbags
• Multi-Collision Brake
• Brake Help
• Digital Differential Lock (EDL)
• Hill Maintain Help

Driver Help

• Adaptive cruise management
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver fatigue detection
• Ahead collision warning
• Lane-keep help
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reversing digicam
• Entrance, rear parking sensors
• Pace limiter

How a lot does the Volkswagen Crafter value to run?

The Crafter Kampervan lineup is roofed by Volkswagen’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee with 5 years of normal roadside help.

Along with protection by Volkswagen Business Autos’s supplier community, the Crafter Kampervan has entry to the Jayco and JARSA networks for servicing and repairs.

The usual Crafter presents five-year Care Plans for scheduled upkeep – with 12-month/20,000km intervals. For the Crafter 4Motion, the pay as you go plan prices $2600.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Volkswagen Crafter

This sort of product is much more area of interest than the stuff we usually evaluation.

What the Crafter Kampervan by Jayco presents is a really particular answer to a really particular set of wants. Whereas the campervan market seems to be profitable and in demand, it’s nonetheless a small subset of total new automobile gross sales

However for what it’s, it seems to be and seems like a manufacturing unit product and oozes cool issue with its Kombi-inspired paint choices.

It’s additionally tremendous simple to drive, doesn’t sacrifice on the kind of mod-cons you count on in a contemporary business automobile and comes backed by the total producer’s guarantee and is competitively priced with rival merchandise – even inside Jayco’s personal vary.

Credit score to Volkswagen Business Autos Australia for arising with a localised answer within the face of not having the ability to get the factory-made Crafter Grand California to Australia. The native partnership and conversions enterprise creates a tailor-made product for our market, creating jobs within the course of – who mentioned native manufacturing was useless?

However with simply 60-ish models pencilled in for the rest of 2024, and given the final run solely lasted about 10 minutes as soon as it went on sale on-line, you’re unlikely to see many of those Crafter Kampervans working round even when all the allocation for this 12 months is exhausted.

What it additionally represents is a dedication from Volkswagen Australia to native partnerships to develop bespoke merchandise for the native market. The Kampervan by Jayco is one among quite a few collaborations the German model’s business division has engaged in, and the corporate says there are extra to return.

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