Volkswagen Crafter in Australia

**shogun2** · 19-01-2007, 06:22 PM

Ahhh! Thats what I think I saw last weekend down Aldinga way south of Adelaide. It had that square front end grille that had me stumped as to what it was. Unfortunately it too the high road and I took the freway, so I only got a momentary glimpse.

**phaeton** · 20-01-2007, 11:51 AM

Are you sure it wasn't the new Ford Transit Rod ?

**shogun2** · 20-01-2007, 07:03 PM

It may have been - I couldn't get close enough, but could have sworn it had a VW badge on the front!

**jets** · 23-01-2007, 11:18 AM

I think the crafter looks ugly. Maybe it will grow on me, it's hard to know.
I like the look of the Transit though---only the look.

Rob

**phaeton** · 23-01-2007, 12:48 PM

LOL they're so similar though.

Ford Transit, VW Crafter and new Iveco Daily look so alike IMO

Crafter obviously being my pick

and Rod maybe you did see the Crafter

it could be one of Solitaire's VWCV reps testing it

**Seano** · 23-01-2007, 01:17 PM

Crafter is ugly but it looks better than the Sprinter.

Transit has a better balanced but still mad front end. And it is cheap (but those leaf springs are so 19th century).

But I STILL have a hankering for the Iveco. Particularily the new (yet to be locally released) model. I know it's big and expensive but it is built like a battleship.....and there's the prospect of a proper 4x4 version again.

**phaeton** · 23-01-2007, 01:32 PM

I agree Crafter is better than Sprinter in design, IMO I'd rather Crafter than the Daily

Achleitner make a AWD/4x4 (not sure on whether its got the offroad hardware or not, can't access Achleitner site) version for VW as a special order in Germany

I read in one of the local LCV mags VW may offer the AWD/4x4 option here, Mercedes will offer a the same Achleitner kit for Sprinter here, not known when though

VWT5TDI · 02-02-2007, 05:02 PM

the crafter looks heaps better than the that truck haehaehahe...

**smithy010** · 03-02-2007, 09:05 PM

Bit concerned that it's been done by merc based on the sprinter. I've heard only bad reports on the sprinter....

I also think having a volkswagen truck (constellation) is a bit wrong... i dunno, from the Point of view of a volvo truck driver, it just doesn't do it for me..

**phaeton** · 04-02-2007, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by smithy010

Bit concerned that it's been done by merc based on the sprinter. I've heard only bad reports on the sprinter....

I also think having a volkswagen truck (constellation) is a bit wrong... i dunno, from the Point of view of a volvo truck driver, it just doesn't do it for me..

Lets hope there are no quality problems this time round Crafter is built in the Mercedes factory in Germany.
LT2 was built in VW's Hanover plant

VW are fairly new in truck & bus scene, prior to late 1990s VW used components from Chrysler and Ford.

Since establishment of Resende factory in Brazil they have leaped technologically with their own platforms and parts.
Constellation is the 1st clean sheet design though.
BTW VW is in Top 10 for trucks in sales worldwide

You may not like VW now but by 2009/2010 we should see them flood the market if VW Australia gets its wishes