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On test: Volkswagen Crafter dropside 136
Quality shines out in this oh-so-capable truck
The Crafter dropside isn’t exactly cheap, but then again everyone knows that in this world, you get exactly what you pay for. John Threadgold reports
If you are looking for a dropside truck, there are two routes to take. You can go for a pukka mini-lorry such as the Nissan Cabstar or Fuso Canter, or you can opt for a van conversion such as the vehicle on test here, the Volkswagen Crafter.
The ‘lorry’ contenders are tough as old boots and built so strongly that they are likely to still be running after you are long gone! They are cheap too. The Cabstar, for example, starts at £18,450 ex-VAT as opposed to the £28,470 pricetag of the vehicle on test here.
But there are drawbacks. Ride and handling are so harsh on the lorries that no driver would really want to operate them over long distances. They are pretty basic in the cabs too and lack many of the little reinements that the average van driver is now used to having as a matter of course. We’d choose the van conversions every time.
Our test truck proved to be typical Volkswagen fare – superb build quality, with lots of standard goodies and excellent seats, with plenty of solid support.
In the rear end, the truck body feels quite up to dealing with the rigours
of an everyday leet life – and these trucks typically face a pretty tough time when used in anger on the roads. There’s a non-slip loadloor, an extremely chunky headboard and plenty of lashing points all round.
Payload is about on a par with the rival Cabstar too.
Volkswagen offers a single 2.0-litre four cylinder turbodiesel powerplant in the Crafter and our test model pumped out 136bhp and a meaty 250lb-ft of torque, spread over a peak rev period of 1,572-2,250. This adds up to an awful lot of pulling power and it’s hard to believe that such a diminutive engine can feel so strong.
The cab area is nicely laid out and includes such goodies as cruise control, air-con, driver’s armrest and no fewer than ive drinks holders.
Meanwhile there is the usual array of safety devices on board to help keep driver and occupants safe. On the downside, there isn’t a window
in the rear of the cab. As the rear corners of the vehicle are not visible in the mirrors when it is straight – and there weren’t any reversing sensors itted – manoeuvring proved more than a bit of a problem.
Spec sheet
Gross vehicle weight (kg): 3,500
Power (bhp/rpm): Torque (lb-ft/rpm): Load volume (cu m): Payload (kg):
136/3,500 250/1,575-2,250 n/a 1,706 Comb fuel economy (mpg): 31.0 CO2 emission (g/km): 239 Basic price (ex-VAT): £28,470
25 TVD lssue 27 2016