VW & Jayco collab on Crafter Kampervan

VOLKSWAGEN’s commercial vehicle division and Jayco have teamed up to create the Crafter Kampervan, a modern and substantially larger take on the Kombi that VW Australia says will become the halo of its evolving van range.

The model will sit above the Caddy California and Multivan California as the brand’s flagship recreational offering Down Under.

Alongside a five-year / unlimited-kilometre warranty, the Crafter Kampervan will be available in three grades when it goes on sale this July: Kampervan, Kampervan Style and Kampervan All-Terrain, the latter replete with a suite of Seikel off-road equipment.

Measuring in at a generous 6.8 metres in length and 2.0 metres in width, the Crafter Kampervan range offers not only ample living and sleeping quarters, but seating for four, sleeping for three, multiple dining and seating areas, fresh- and wastewater tanks, a full bathroom with shower and toilet, full kitchen with two-burner gas cooktop, microwave, fridge and sink, reverse cycle air-conditioning, and diesel heating and hot water.

The 4Motion-equipped Crafter Kampervan range is further equipped with a TV and DVD system with internal and external speakers, lithium in-house battery with additional solar array, LED internal and external lighting, App Connect, a Wi-Fi extender, plus an external awning.

Volkswagen says the Crafter Kampervan has been “extensively tested” at the Anglesea Proving Ground in Victoria, showcasing not only the Australian engineering at work inside the vehicle, but – without elaborating – the “testing and tuning that makes it perfect for local conditions”.

The Crafter Kampervan will be offered in seven paint colours, including four two-tone schemes.

Volkswagen has yet to announce available driveline specifications or pricing of its all-wheel-drive Kampervan, but it is expected the variant will demand a premium over the current Crafter 4Motion flagship, which sells from $76,990 (plus on-road costs).

Brand director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle, Ryan Davies, said the partnership with Jayco combines the expertise of two leading brands and presents “another milestone in our brand's collaboration with Australian auto building.

“Just as Walkinshaw took the Amarok to the next level, Jayco (as the leading brand in its field) is making the Crafter Kampervan the perfect choice for those who want to drive a brilliantly engineered vehicle – then live and sleep comfortably across endless Australian destinations,” said Mr Davies.

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, 50-acre, Dandenong South facility.”

Customers may register their interest in the Volkswagen Crafter Kampervan at volkswagen.com.au/en/models/crafter-kampervan