Latest 'Blue' Crafter Vans Demonstrate Green Credentials

MILTON KEYNES – May 15, 2009: The latest Volkswagen Crafter panel van, chassis and double cab ranges are set to become among the cleanest and most refined vehicles in their class. Substantial changes have been made to the drivetrain to make it both quieter and smoother thanks to greater torque. Conversely, fuel economy rises and emissions fall to not only meet but exceed the latest Euro V standards.

As a result, the new Crafter Euro V BlueTDI range has achieved certification as an EEV (Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicle) – meaning it meets the most exacting European exhaust standard for commercial vehicles. What’s more, in the UK, any Crafter Euro V models registered before the end of 2010 qualify for lower road tax (RFL) for the lifetime of the vehicle, which currently saves £60 per annum.

These significant achievements are a result of a combination of improvements, including new manual gearboxes, a modified DPF (Diesel Particular Filter), enhanced BlueTDI common rail, direct injection diesel engines and refinements used on Volkswagen’s latest BlueMotion models.

The new manual gearboxes are equipped with revised, longer ratios for fifth and sixth gears. In addition, the gearbox now has a shorter throw to allow quicker, more efficient changes.

The Volkswagen BlueTDI engines have increased engine torque by up to 13.6 per cent, plus improved fuel consumption to help reduce running costs. For example, the official Extra Urban consumption for a 109 PS engine in a Crafter CR35 panel van has improved by over seven per cent, from 32.1 mpg to 34.4 mpg.

To improve usability, the Crafter Euro V models have the latest generation of DPF, optimised to allow shorter regeneration time and longer regeneration intervals. Emissions of particulates, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen have reduced to beyond the requirements of Euro V – and are almost half way to achieving Euro VI standards.

NOx reduction is achieved thanks to addition for the first time of an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) catalytic converter together with an additive, the synthetically-produced, water-based solution containing 32.5 per cent urea, AdBlue. ‘Selective’ refers to the way the catalytic converter selectively converts NOx components in the exhaust system into nitrogen and water without producing undesirable by-products.

Stored in an auxiliary tank, the AdBlue solution is continuously sprayed into the exhaust gas, upstream of the SCR catalytic converter. The rate of spray is metered via engine management according to the mass flow rate of the exhaust gas using an NOx sensor downstream of the SCR catalytic converter. Atomised into a fine vapour through a screen, the urea in the AdBlue is converted in the hot exhaust gas upstream of the catalytic converter, reacting with the nitrogen oxides and splitting them into nitrogen and water.

The 25-30 litre AdBlue tank will be refilled free of charge by the Volkswagen Van Centre network and authorised repairers during the first three years. AdBlue is also widely available at many filling stations as it is already used by HGVs.

Simon Elliott, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said: ‘The Crafter is the largest van in our range. We’re delighted to have improved fuel consumption and reduced running costs, and made it one of the most environmentally friendly vehicles in its class.’