VW partners with Jayco for Crafter ‘Kampervan’
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced a new collaboration with caravan and RV specialists Jayco that will add a range-topping variant to VW’s camper family.
The Crafter ‘Kampervan’ is the result of that collaboration and will expand VW Commercial Vehicles’ camper offerings that currently consist of the Caddy California and Multivan California.
Like these two models, the Crafter Kampervan will be available through the Volkswagen Commerical Vehicles dealer network, backed by a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.
Ryan Davies, Brand Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said this latest partnership with Jayco combines the expertise of two leading brands and presents “another milestone in our brand’s collaboration with Australian auto building”.
Crafter Base
Based on the LWB, super-high roof version of the Crafter van, which is the largest van that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles offer locally, the Kampervan retains the commercial model’s nearside sliding door and 270-degree rear barn doors, but adds side windows, ventilation and other features more suitable for habitation than hauling cargo.
The wheelbase is 4,490mm and overall length is 6,836mm, with height at 2,795mm (including the roof-mount air conditioner) and width, excluding mirrors, at 2,040mm. That makes the Kampervan significantly larger than even the Multivan California.
To give some context to the size and space the Crafter will offer in campervan form, a Minibus version on the same wheelbase has seating for 15 people, including the driver.
Powering the Crafter Kampervan will be a 2.0-litre ‘TDI 410’ turbodiesel four-cylinder, producing 130kW and 410Nm. This is matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system as standard.
Drivetrain variants that are available in the Crafter van, like a lower output TDI 340 diesel, six-speed manual transmission and front- and rear-wheel drive options, will not be offered on the Kampervan.
Fuel capacity of 75 litres is unchanged from the van and perhaps on the small side for a camping vehicle designed for long-haul travel, but this may be offset by the frugal turbodiesel. VW do not, however, provide fuel economy figures for the Crafter, due to the variety of drivetrain configurations, wheelbases and body styles.
Jayco Fitout
With seating for four and sleeping for three (or two adults and two children), Jayco’s conversion of the Crafter to create the Kampervan also includes a fully-equipped kitchen, bathroom, rear lounge area and front seat entertaining/dining area.
Full specs are yet to be revealed, but a fresh water tank, grey/waste water tank, hot water system, second battery and additional 120Ah lithium battery, 200W solar system, LED internal and external lighting, an external awning, swiveling front seats, app connect, WiFi extender, diesel heater and reverse cycle air conditioning will all be fitted as standard.
The kitchen area includes a two-burner gas cooktop, microwave, fridge, sink, storage and bench space, while the bathroom comes with an internal shower, sink and toilet. There’s provision for an external shower, too.
On the comfort and entertainment front, all the soft furnishings (including bedding), will be fitted as standard by Jayco, with a TV, DVD player and stereo with internal and external speakers standard, too.
Jayco Motorised Division National Sales Manager, Bruce Astbury, said: “Jayco is proud to be associated with Volkswagen and the touring lifestyle that both brands embody.
“This is a partnership that will enhance the depth of the Volkswagen range and continue to support local employment at our state-of-the-art Dandenong South facility.”
Three Options
The Crafter Kampervan will be offered in a choice three configurations – ‘Kampervan,’ ‘Kampervan Style’ and ‘Kampervan All-Terrain’.
Common to all is the aforementioned Jayco camping fitout, as well as a 4-tonne GVM upgrade, heavy-duty suspension, a mechanical rear diff lock, steel wheels, rubber floor mats for the cabin and the ‘Light and Sight’ package of cornering fog lamps, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers.
This entry-level Kampervan will be available in a choice of three solid colours – Candy White, Reflex Silver and Iridium Grey.
The mid-level Style specification is regarded as “full specification” and adds the Trendline package that consists of an additional 12V outlet, illuminated entry step and additional chrome trim inside. Outside, foglamps with integrated static cornering lights, chromed trim on the wheels and a chromed grille are also part of the Trendline package.
Additional to this, the Kampervan Style also adds LED headlights and DRLs, headlight washers, a heated windscreen and steering wheel, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and VW’s Discover Media satnav.
Optional on the Kampervan Style are alloy wheels and a choice of four two-tone paint options in addition to the three solid colours.
The top-tier Kampervan All-Terrain takes everything in the Kampervan Style and adds a Seikel off-road equipment package for those who want to take their Kampervan into mildly-challenging terrain off the bitumen.
Additions include underbody protection for the engine and AdBlue tank, protection for the rear diff and rear shocks, a 30mm lift kit and steel wheels with off-road tyres.
The same two-tone paint options for the Style grade are optionally available on the All-Terrain, with a snorkel also optional.
Tested and Proven
VW say that the Crafter Kampervan has been extensively tested at the Anglesea Proving Ground in Victoria to ensure it’s perfect for local conditions.
Local release of the Crafter Kampervan will commence from July. Pricing had not been announced at time of writing, but some sources have predicted the Kampervan will start at around $130,000 for the base model, rising to $160,000 for the All-Terrain version.
Ahead of VW’s release of the Crafter Kampervan, customers can register their interest at: volkswagen.com.au or see their Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealer.