Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is preparing its next-generation of turn-key solutions to specialist requirements across a variety of bodystyles, with a range that is engineered-to-go and fully factory backed.
Seven "conversion" variants were unveiled at the Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) Southern Region Office and Training Facility at Essendon Fields in Melbourne, based off the brand's acclaimed Commercial Vehicles line-up.
The seven-strong range includes some already launched and successful in the market, such as the Walkinshaw Amarok and Crafter Kampervan.
A further trio are vehicles about to launch into the market, including a wheelchair-access Caddy Maxi Life, emergency-services Crafter and a 'box body' Crafter.
A further two are being evaluated and tested for market suitability by around 2023 or 2024 – the Crafter 'Cold Goods' body and Crafter 'Tipper' range.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles director Ryan Davies said the local division "is committed to selecting the best blend of overseas and Australian suppliers to create unique solutions in the market."
"We know from the success of the Australian-engineered Walkinshaw Amarok and Crafter Kampervan that there are great opportunities for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to provide even more tailored solutions to a variety of recreational and specialist needs.
"From ambulance fleets to wheelchair access vehicles, from refrigerated transport to tough tipper bodies, the Caddy and Crafter in particular provide the perfect basis to provide versatile and integrated solutions – factory backed with warranty, turn-key solutions that are ready to go.
"These seven vehicles show the clear intent of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to expand beyond the series production vehicles available in showrooms."
Vehicles on display include:
1. Caddy Maxi Life with Rear Cut-out Wheelchair Access Conversion, built by AMF Bruns GmbH & Co. KG Germany
This is the first appearance in Australia of a vehicle from the soon-to-be- available Caddy Wheelchair Accessible Conversion based on the versatile and popular Caddy Maxi.
AMF-Bruns is a third-generation family business. With its headquarters in Apen (Lower Saxony, Germany), several international branches and production facilities as well as approx. 400 employees, AMF-Bruns is the European market leader and vehicle technology specialist for people with reduced mobility.
AMF Bruns GmbH in Germany is a Volkswagen AG (VWAG) "Premium" Conversion Partner.
The Caddy Wheelchair Accessible Conversion is currently be homologated for the Australian market with a target release date of late 2023. In displayed six-seat specification it will cost circa-$25,000 beyond the Caddy Maxi on which it is based.
Features:
- 6-seater configuration for normal use (also available as a 7-Seater, with 2x Folding passenger seats, in the last row)
- Or configured to 5 seats + 1 wheelchair, by folding in the rear occupant seat
- EASYFLEX Ramp with Cut-out Floor; with the ramp folded out, the vehicle can be accessed comfortably with a wheelchair
- Can also be converted to a flat folding ramp, to use the rear boot space
- FUTURESAFE Head & Backrest for the Wheelchair Occupant, can be folded in when not in use
- PROTEKTOR 2.0 Occupant & Wheelchair Restraint System
- Extra Long Front Wheelchair belts, with electric retract, to assist in loading
- 20g (forces) Crash Tested
- Vehicle Torsion Test (for adapted vehicles, for Wheelchair Passengers)
- Full European Type-Approval
2. Crafter 35 Medium Wheelbase (MWB) with Smartbar SpartanBar FPS (Polycarbonate Bullbar) Fitted – Conversion by Smartbar ARB – Lonsdale SA
The Crafter FPS was developed as a direct request from Local Emergency Services to use in their First Response Fleets. This is also the first example of another win for VGA, as Smartbar ARB have also been awarded a Letter of no Objection (LONO) by the VWAG R&D Team, for their integrated product.
Smartbar are locally known for designing and developing class-leading FPS for Fleets, Emergency Services and Mining use.
The strong, lightweight SpartanBar is designed and made in Australia, specifically for the Crafter. The hollow, polyetheleyne design provides superior frontal protection with the ability to flex and absorb on impact, then return to shape following a small collision. With safety at the forefront of its design, the SpartanBar is compatible with all on-board safety and driver-assist systems.
The Crafter 35 MWB with Smartbar ARB conversion is on-sale now, backed by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and priced from $3,658 beyond the price of the Crafter 35 MWB.
Features:
- Designed and manufactured in Australia
- Meets full Australian Standards 4876.1 – 2022 (Motor Vehicle Frontal Protection Systems)
- Supplied with accessory bracket to suit a range of driving lights
- Single aerial bracket to fit one of 4 incorporated mounts
- Available for parking sensor & non-parking sensor models
- All-in-one driving light
- Compatible with common Australian Emergency Service vehicle accessories (Lights, Sirens etc)
- Fitted underbody panels for extra vehicle protection
- Fitted weight of only 53kg
3. Crafter Kampervan Style Pre-Production Prototype – Conversion by Jayco Corporation Dandenong South, VIC
This vehicle is a live development prototype that is in use by VGA.
The recreational vehicle (or RV) version of the Crafter, Volkswagen Group Australia's biggest vehicle, the Kampervan is available in three grades.
At 6.8 metres long and 2m wide, the Crafter Kampervan contains all fixtures needed to make life on the road possible.
The Kampervan Style with alloy wheels and two-tone paint is $150,440 plus on-road costs.
Features:
- 4MOTION all-wheel-drive
- 17" Lismore Alloy Wheels with Continental Road Tyres
- Seating for four
- Sleeping for up three
- Multiple dining and seating areas
- Fresh and waste water tanks
- Full internal bathroom including toilet and shower
- Full kitchen including two-burner gas cooktop, microwave, refrigerator, sink, fresh water, ample storage and bench space
- Kitchen sink and bathroom sink
- Reverse cycle air-conditioning
- TV and DVD stereo with internal and external speakers
- Lithium house battery with additional solar system
- Diesel heating
- Hot water system
- LED internal and external lighting
- External awning
- App-connect
- Wifi extender
4. Crafter Dual Cab with Tipper Body – conversion by INGIMEX Ltd UK
The Crafter with Tipper is a foray into some additional development and potential market demand for VGA.
Another prime example of a well-heeled, yet robust utilitarian, the Crafter with Tipper by Ingimex is being used to test and gauge demand in the tough conditions of Australia.
Suitable for both carrying and tipping loads, the Ingimex tipper is a lightweight, high strength body with a market leading payload.
Designed and tested to the latest standards, fitted with an array of features as standard and easily adapted to allow for the addition of optional modifications – the Ingimex tipper is the perfect partner for the Volkswagen Crafter chassis.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is using this example for assessment and testing, ahead of any further decision on its suitability for the Australian market.
Features:
- Full height, embossed steel panel construction for maximum protection and visibility
- Platform is made from high-tensile steel and dip e-coated in a 6 stage process for a long lasting finish
- Three level load lashing and a 400kg gantry capacity; to be able to lash loads of all shapes and sizes
- Double-skinned aluminium sideboards used throughout, so the vehicle body will look good for years
- Super strong and striking tailboard with side mounted locks – no nasty finger traps and a big tipping area
- Practical integrated tailboard top lashing rail and high visibility engineering grade conspicuity markings as standard
- Designed, manufactured and tested in the UK
5. Crafter Single Cab 50 Box Body – conversion by INGIMEX Ltd UK
Building on an already successful range of trade solutions, the Crafter 50 Box Body is a new entrant to the range with an even higher payload that is class-topping for the sub-4.5 tonne truck class that can driven on a car licence.
Designed to be lightweight, yet robust, the body itself is almost half-a-tonne lighter than any comparable body. The body is all complete excluding tail lift (an optional extra).
The 4490 model on display has a payload just shy of 1.75 tonnes.
There are also flexible options, including fitting a 500kg column-mounted or a cantilever mounted tail lift with 1.0 lifting capacity.
The Crafter 50 Box Body comes "pre-prepared" to mount one or the other solution, thanks to the factory tail lift preparation, adapted rear cross-member and with pre-installed 2nd Battery; to meet the highest demands placed on it.
The shutter system is integrated in the roof for maximum security. The Crafter's flat surfaces make it perfect for signwriting or wrapping.
The Crafter 50 Box Body is going on-sale now, with 22 vehicles set to be in the network by Christmas – and more in 2023 – priced from $79,990 plus on-road costs.
Features:
- LWB Single Cab Chassis (4490mm wheelbase)
- TDI410 Engine
- RWD with dual tyres on the rear axle
- 8 Speed torque converter automatic
- ErgoComfort driver seat with massage function
- Rear-view camera
- 3 Seater
- Highest cargo payload in its class: 1752kg (with rear step)
- Wide lath interlocking aluminium planks for high strength
- 4-tier load restraint system
Local fit Options:
- Rear step as standard
- Column mounted tail lift (500 kg lift capacity) for Crafter
- Chassis Mounted tail lift for Crafter 50 (1000kg lift capacity)
6. Crafter 55 Single Cab with Eutectic Cold Goods Body – Conversion by Carlsen Baltic UAB Lithuania
Another first for Volkswagen is the Crafter with Cold Goods Body, built by Premium Conversion Partner, Carlsen Baltic in Lithuania
Carlsen Baltic is a market-leading manufacturer of light refrigerated truck bodies for food distribution, throughout Europe and the world.
Lightweight, yet strong, it is one of the most thermally-efficient bodies available today. The Crafter with Cold Goods Body is complemented by a Eutectic Cooling System that does not require any engine power to keep the body cold during transport runs. This means that it does not require the vehicle to be running to keep goods at optimal cold temperature, for example.
This solution is perfect for the transition to zero emissions commercial vehicles, as it only requires power via a 3-phase plug "back at base".
The body on display is a -40 degrees Celsius Frozen Goods Truck.
With a 6-hour "pull-down" time, the Crafter Cold Goods can stay under its target temperature for between 9 and 13 hours, depending on how many times the doors are opened and closed.
This example today is being used to provide real-world testing data in Australia's broad and tough conditions, to fine-tune to our particular climate.
It is being sent to a cold goods distributor, then further north in Australia, to provide feedback and real-world climate testing data back to the manufacturer in real time – via the connected GPS tracking system with temperature sensor.
Estimated pricing for this solution, if the decision is made to move ahead with an Australian on-sale date, would be circa-$130,000 plus on-road costs.
Features:
- Ideal for ice cream and frozen food distribution
- Operating temperature: –33 °C to –20 °C
- K value: ≤ 0.27 W/m²K
- Zero-tailpipe emissions eutectic refrigeration
- Zero-noise during operation
- Continuous cooling, even when vehicle engine is off
- No tank fuel required for refrigeration during delivery
- Internal volume: 16.16 m3 (3 pallets)
- Rear barn doors for easy loading and unloading
- Full European & Australian Type-Approval
7. Amarok Highline 580 Black - W Series Development Prototype - Conversion by Walkinshaw Automotive Group Pty Ltd
A special display is the Amarok V6 Highline 580S, which was used as the VWAG R&D Evaluation Vehicle at our headquarters in Germany for its testing and evaluation, and final Factory Certification.
This vehicle was driven, measured, tested and inspected by the factory team, then ultimately awarded with its Letter of No Objection (LONO) for the conversion.
This is one of the first examples of a Certified Conversion, by an Australian Converter.
Features:
- Pre-Production Walkinshaw test parts fitted by VWAG Group Services in Hannover, Germany
- V6 turbo-diesel with 580 Nm Torque
- 8- Speed Torque Converter Automatic
- Black Styling Bar and Side Tubes
- Walkinshaw W-Series Body Parts
- 20' Alloy "Clayton" Wheels
- Pirelli Scorpion ATR Tyres (275 / 50 R20)