2017 Crafter Takes Van of the Year Prize at Unveiling

The next generation of the Volkswagen Crafter was recently unveiled at the Commercial Vehicles IAA show in Hannover, where it was awareded International Van of the Year 2017.

The prize, picked out by a jury of commercial vehicle journalists spanning 24 nationalities, adds to the success of the T16, picking up the same last year. This could partly be down to VW developing more parts in house, as the new Crafter recieves it’s own bespoke wheelbase, in contrast to years gone by where it has been built with one from it’s competitor – The Mercedes Sprinter.

There are 69 variants on the cards from when the van goes on sale next month and there are now talks of an all electric model, after Merc releasing their concept of an all-electric, self driven van complete with automated drones atop it’s roof. So far this ‘E-Crafter’ only has one variant, laden with a 100-kilowatt electric motor fed by a 312-cell battery pack. VW say this will give 290nm of torque which will aid with acceleration and overtaking, but only range of 200km or 124 miles.