Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced prices for its new Crafter van which was revealed to the public at the CV Show in March and will go on sale in September.

Prices start at £15,300 (basic RRP excl VAT and on the road costs) for the CR30 short wheelbase panel van with 88 PS; that’s £500 less than the entry-level LT which the Crafter replaces.

Not only does it offer value for money, the Crafter is designed and built to meet the ever-increasing demands of a modern load carrier. It comes with a choice of four common rail 2.5-litre five-cylinder engines, delivering 88, 109, 136 or 163 PS.

Each offers the twin benefits of fuel efficiency and low emissions. A six-speed manual gearbox is fitted as standard, while a ‘ShiftMatic’ automated manual transmission is optional.

Just as the Transporter brought car-like standards of ride, noise levels and refinement to the van market, the Crafter also moves the benchmark upwards for larger vans. The spacious cabin is ergonomically designed for comfortable and safe driving, while features include a dash-mounted gear lever and excellent storage space.

Standard equipment includes ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with Brake Assist and ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), and a driver’s airbag. Other standard features are a radio CD player, electric windows, and a full height steel bulkhead amongst other things.

The three wheelbases, four load compartment lengths and three roof heights highlight the Crafter’s versatility, which is further enhanced by its availability as a panel van, chassis cab and double cab van. The Crafter has a maximum load volume of 17 cubic metres, and the five tonne panel van carries up to a weight of approximately 2,670 kg.

All Crafters sold through a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK Van Centre will have a 12 year anti-corrosion guarantee, a three year paintwork warranty and a three year comprehensive recovery and assistance package.