Volkswagen has updated its second generation Crafter, giving the vehicle an electric brake for the first time, thus making it easier to swivel the cab seats.

Some 354,000 of the new second-generation vehicle had already been sold by the end of 2022, with a significant number forming the base vehicles for a wide range of models, including VW’s own Grand California.

The updated vans, which will first go on sale in Europe in April this year, will now come with a new cockpit landscape, including a new standard 10.3-inch or 12.9-inch infotainment display, with a graphic interface that was originally unveiled in the ID. Buzz.

The gear lever will remain in the central console with manual transmission vehicles, while in automatic models, there will be a drinks holder in its place.

There are new standard safety features, in particular for models weighing over 3.5 tonnes (the full range goes up to 5.5 tonnes). This includes a blind spot warning about any pedestrians or cyclists in the blind spot to the side of the van, and automatic braking if necessary when you are turning and suddenly face oncoming traffic.

Both of these features are cost options in lighter vans. Travel assist will also be available as an option for the first time. This brings adaptive cruise control and lane assist into
one combined function.

The base vehicle can make a big difference when choosing the best campervan, and Volkswagen has certainly proved popular, coming out on top in the Best New Base Vehicle category at the recent Owner Satisfaction Awards.

Another base vehicle manufacturer, Renault, has unveiled its all-new Master van recently too, which comes with a new profile and can be adapted for hydrogen power, while Citroen is set to launch its own campervan.


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