We test out the Volkswagen Crafter dubbed 2017’s International Van of the Year… but does it live up to its title?
The motor has had rave reviews after nabbing the thumbs up from 30 craftsmen in 30 countries
COME and drive the International Van of the Year, they said.
It’s had the thumbs-up from 30 craftsmen in 30 countries, they said.
It’s done 50,000km and only needed washer fluid, they said.
Well, I’m sorry but my first impressions of the VW Crafter were rather different.
See that German village where I stopped for lunch, below? Take the first four letters from that.
And I’ll tell you why.
The shatnav screen wasn’t working. The driver’s seat was jammed — way beyond the Peter Crouch/Mr Tickle setting, I might add — and I had 600 miles to do.
But at least it’s got heated seats to soothe my bones, I thought.
Er, no. That button wasn’t working either.
Or the interior lights.
So I tried the top two “man fixes” for dodgy electrics.
1. Switch everything off then switch it back on again. Nothing.
2. Bash the dash with the useless rearview mirror. Still nothing.
Arrggh. Why did it even have a rearview mirror in the first place? Didn’t anyone spot that huge metal box behind the cab? I haven’t got X-ray eyes.
But I’ll move on.
Eventually, one of our strong German cousins fixed the seat and I set off from Hanover to Birmingham to deliver the Crafter in time for today’s CV Show.
A long slog through Germany (via Wankum), then Holland, Belgium and France to the Chunnel — all navigated by iPhone.
But as the hours passed, I started to warm to the new Crafter. A lot.
(Nerdy fact: It is now 100 per cent VW. No longer half Mercedes Sprinter.)
It was comfy, well supported, easy to drive and everything was in easy reach.
Top speed: 99mph on the derestricted autobahn.
Economy: 24mpg average for the whole journey.
In a nutshell, the Crafter has all the bells and whistles of a Golf, just with 4 x cup holders, 4 x grab handles and loads of clever storage.
Plus you sit a bit higher up.
Adaptive cruise control is a godsend in stop/start motorway traffic and you can even add hands-free parking.
Er, I’m not sure you should be driving a van if you can’t park it but there you go.
Note to VW: That scuff down the side skirt. It wasn’t me.
MOST READ IN MOTORS
Other observations. The back of this Crafter is class — surgically clean with fancy sliding drawers and LED lights.
The rear doors pin right back for easy reversing. They don’t on a regular Transit.
The sliding doors open 1.31m for forklift loading.
This was the front-wheel drive manual.
RWD, 4WD and auto versions to follow.
It is often said a van is your hardest-working employee.
That a van is your business card.
Well, the Crafter’s a grafter. Rock-solid and smart.
Get a TomTom and you’re laughing.
Auto Box...Roll out
FORD is still running the game.
Nothing can touch the Transit – our No1 van for 51 years – for price, dependability and trust.
And now Ford has added an automatic gearbox.
Now I know that doesn’t sound much. An auto box? It’s hardly inventing the wheel.
But for couriers in our bloated towns and cities, it is gold dust.
No more clutch pedal workouts.
No more juggling your Costa coffee mid-gear. Life is easy and relaxed and smooth.
It costs an extra £1,200 (exc vodka & tonic) for the six-speed auto but it is well-suited to the mid-sized one-tonne Custom and well worth the investment.
It also available in the regular two-tonne Transit.
Did you spot the stripes by the way? They’re also new. This is the 2017 Custom Sport with, er, sporty styling kit, 17in alloys and part-leather seats.
That’s not worth the extra £2,500.
The base Custom starts at £20,890.
KEY FACTS
- Ford transit
- Custom sport
- Price: £30,440 (ex-VAT)
- Engine: 2-litre
- Power: 170hp, 405Nm
- Official economy: 40mpg
- Real world: 30mpg
- CO2: 178g/km
- Out: Now
Baz: No skidding
MOTOGP star Loris Baz posted his UNDERPANTS on Facebook after an epic save on his Ducati. He wrote: “For those wondering! Still perfect!” I don’t believe him.
It was definitely a Code Brown moment. Watch the video on YouTube.
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Transit wheel liners are already made from recycled plastic bottles.
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