In appearance it is not even the restyling, and only slightly visible "face lift", I mean facelift. However, technically the biggest cargo "Volkswagen autos" changed very seriously. In fact, a revolution is quite noticeable even to the uninitiated.
"The Volkswagen Crafter" The light work does not scold the drivers of Gazelle only lazy. You tried to drive a long, tall, unruly bus and ride in the capitals, say, traffic jams? I remember the first time that I had approached this kind of machine: how could I not do the hard work? The "crater", which stood in front of me on a narrow asphalt path in the picturesque Swedish depth, not only seemed to be, but was in fact even more "Gazelle". However, recently, residents of Russian cities-and not only the capitals-are increasingly seen as "Volkswagen", which are employed as block taxis. That's why they can estimate the scale of the car. However, from the first hundreds of meters behind the wheel of 136-strong car, I felt a lot of surprise-how easy it was to manage it. In this regard, "Krafter" is a little more complicated than a big jeep. Even in something light, you sit in front, you see. Thanks to the helmsman, there was no difficulty in manoeuvring with a bulky two-tonne machina in narrow rural tracks on narrow rural tracks. The front independent suspension on the lower triangular levers and the upper transverse cross-sheet, coupled with the back and non-carved bridge, and relatively soft shock absorbers have been set up to create either a neutral or a small understeer regardless of the load. As a result, a high German truck quite easily changes the lane-without frightening creans and filmmakers. However, all this has been inherent in "Krafter" since birth, that is, since 2006. What changed now? Light strokes If it's outside, it's just a little bit. In the style of other folksagens, the grill is decorated. It used to be a massive, almost square construction, which gave the machine some resembleness to the sad donkey of Eeyore. Now, the bright horizontal that made the big Volkswagen is more pronounced, and at the same time, visually easy. "The style, which implies a feeling", called the marketers of the company what their colleagues-designers have done with "Krafter". Until you put two cars around, you won't tell me what's changed, but at the same time it looks like a "updatonist" and a modern-typical "foil-Swagenian" approach. Inside the same picture-a comfortable cab with an ergonomically adjusted place of the driver, good visibility, huge mirrors, a practically flat floor, high ceiling, well-read devices were left in place. Several other finishing materials have been pressed-both the standard fabric "Tazamo" and the option "Timo" and "Runner" and artificial leather of two types. It is also possible to order a soft upholstery, which can serve as an additional arm. Cylon dials and the MCP lever is now marked with chrome shroud, the steering wheel is ticking with an enlarged emblem, and the heating of seats has become 3-step instead of two stages. Finally, there is a digital clue on the dashboard that allows you to switch gear when the machine's electronic brain considers it optimal. And thus saving fuel, of course. However, everything is in order. It is easy to confess that with tremor, I have been waiting to be able to move. It's not the size or the mass of the Volkswagen that's the fault. The point is that under the hood of the car, instead of the 5-cylinder diesel fuel, 2.5 liters have now been written by 2-litre turbodiesel "quartet". The same as the T5 and the "Agammarks". In the meantime, familiarity with the latter has left a mixed impression. Modern high-cement diesel in tandem with a manual gearbox requires a very careful attitude. It's just a little short of the accelerator pedal, and the engine's going down. And the way you went through it, the machine went off like a burning elephant. There were still considerations of a purely theoretical order: the notion that heavy machinery requires a large engine for heavy machinery has become ingrained in the brain. There's two liters of everything ... It's not gonna be enough! But it soon became clear that all my fears were in vain. In general, the 120-strong "Krafter" proved to be a lot of the 163-strong "stamp". Of course, the variant of the diesel with one turbine with variable geometry of the scapula is less noroist than its own with two boost aggregates. In addition, the 2-liter engine and a 6-speed gearbox were specially adapted to the much heavier car. But the point is, I'm starting to get used to this kind of engine. A man gets used to ... When, in addition to subjective difficulties, the novelty promises and quite objective benefits. After all, new motors, with the same or increased power and torque, are almost lighter. What it is, buyers of commercial vehicles, don't think long to explain. The new "Krafter" can carry more useful cargo-82 to 90 kg depending on the modification. Also, with the increase of the torque of 11 per cent, the fuel consumption of new motors may be up to 33% lower! It is true that such miracles are possible only with those engines, which are equipped with technological gates, united under the sign "Blue moan". The latter account for 0.8 of the sum saved per 100 mileage of 3.6 litres. Only the remaining 2.8 l/100 km are impressive. And in general, it is possible to reduce operating costs by a quarter! But that's not all. The increased torque is achieved earlier and is available in a fairly wide range. For example, 136-strong engine produces 340 N. m from 1575 to 2250 rpm. The 5-cylinder predecessor was 330 N. m at 2000 rpm. Clearly, these engine characteristics make it easier for the driver to work. How much? Here, let' s say, the acceleration of 163-strong "Krafter" from 60 to 120 mph takes 48 seconds, while competitors of comparable mass and capacity do not stack a minute-65 seconds. And from 80 to 120, Volkswagen is 15 seconds faster than 49 seconds. That's what modern little motors can do! The other thing is how such a miracle technique will ease the purse of the future owner ... What will it do? It is no secret that such vehicles, which are in great demand in the current Russia, will be enough to look out the window to see how many Gazelles are crowds on our roads! Only the Italian "Dukato", thanks to the local assembly, can somehow compete with the long-running old GAZ models. The others are more expensive. The new "Krafter" in our country will be sold at European prices. The precise price list will become known in August, but it is now clear that the updated "Krafter" with modern sophisticated powertrains cannot be cheaper than before. That means a minimum of 1.2 million. " For the majority of small entrepreneurs in Russia, we don't have a lot of money. Then the machines are designed primarily for large transport companies. For them, the reduction of a quarter of the operating costs will certainly be of great help. In addition, with the start of sales of novelty Volkswagen introduces the extended factory guarantee-3 years or 250,000 USD. kilometres of mileage. The galvanizing of the body now includes the side and rear doors of the cargo compartment. So the end-to-end corrosion warranty is 12 years. Unlike total technical rearmament, this is certainly not a revolution. And yet ice could be said to be moving: "Crefter" has become closer to the buyer. Volkswagen Krafter