Volkswagen expands local van conversion program

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will expand its range of converted vans and utes from the end of 2022.

It follows the success of the Amarok W-Series and Crafter Kampervan programs, with both vehicles completed by two well-known Victorian aftermarket firms, Walkinshaw and Jayco.

The vehicles are designed to provide factory-backed solutions to buyers, allowing the entire vehicle to be purchased in a single transaction from a Volkswagen dealer – removing the need to engage with a third-party company.

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The latest addition to the converted vehicle line-up is a wheelchair-ready Caddy Maxi people-mover, a factory-backed bullbar for the Crafter to cater for ambulance use, and a ‘box body’ van.

In late 2023 or early 2024, tipper and cold goods bodies for the Crafter are expected to become available, subject to final approval by the brand.

A second-generation version of the Amarok W-Series is also tipped to arrive in 2024, while local Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles director Ryan Davies said the all-electric ID.Buzz – which remains on the wish list – could receive similar 'turn-key' conversions.

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While local partners are utilised for the Amarok W-Series, Crafter Kampervan and Crafter bullbar, the other vehicles will be manufactured in Europe and imported into Australia for sale.

The third-party converters are split into two categories: an integrated partner onboarded into the program, or an OE-level premium partner with stronger qualifications and quality control.

Volkswagen will work with the aftermarket supplier to resolve any potential faults under its five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

JUMP AHEAD

• Wheelchair-accessible Volkswagen Caddy
• Ambulance-ready Volkswagen Crafter
• Volkswagen Crafter Kampervan
• Volkswagen Crafter box, tipper and cold goods bodies
• ID.Buzz and Amarok

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Wheelchair-accessible Volkswagen Caddy

The wheelchair-accessible Volkswagen Caddy people-mover, based on the flagship, seven-seat Maxi Life variant, will be released in late 2023.

It is developed and fitted by AMF-Bruns in Germany, which is one of Volkswagen's premium conversion partners.

While final details are subject to local homologation, it is expected to incur a circa-$25,000 premium over a stock Caddy Maxi Life priced from $52,640 before on-road costs.

A six-seat configuration will be standard for normal use, with a fold-up seat in the third row similar to the Toyota Fortuner. A seven-seater model will also be available with two folding chairs.

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To provide accessibility for a wheelchair occupant, the modified Caddy features a cut-out floor, a fold-flat ramp, a foldable head and backrest, an extra-long seatbelt with electric retract, and a restraint system.

It has been crash-tested to 20 G-forces on a sled, with full European certification and further engineering to maintain rigidity with a torsion test.

Compared to a standard Caddy Maxi Life, the wheelchair-accessible variant includes a unique suspension setup, while the spare wheel and tow kit is deleted.

Volkswagen Australia expects approximately 30-40 sales in the first year, with the potential for NDIS support for the conversion price – but not the whole vehicle.

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Ambulance-ready Volkswagen Crafter

With the local ambulance fleet dominated by the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Volkswagen Australia hopes to appeal to the emergency services fleet with a factory-backed bullbar.

The product is designed and developed in Australia by Adelaide-based Smartbar ARB, which provides bullbars for fleets, emergency services and mining use.

It is available for $3600, with a lightweight polycarbonate construction and full compatibility with driving lights, emergency lights and sirens.

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The hollow construction – weighing approximately 57 kilograms – is said to be around 30kg lighter than a traditional steel bullbar, with the ability to flex and absorb in an accident.

All driver assistance features, such as autonomous emergency braking, remain available, while the integrated parking sensors have identical tolerance to the stock units.

Currently, the Volkswagen Crafter is primarily used by St John WA, along with NSW patient transport, South Australia, and in the Ambulance Victoria fleet.

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Volkswagen Crafter Kampervan

First revealed in April, the 2023 Volkswagen Crafter Kampervan will be delivered to customers before Christmas.

Volkswagen says the initial allocation of 69 units for the Crafter Kampervan sold out in less than 12 hours, with more examples set to become available in mid-2023.

It is converted by Jayco in Melbourne's south-east, with three variants available with standard all-wheel drive and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.

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In response to customer feedback, Volkswagen Australia has added two lithium-ion batteries with a 240Ah total capacity, and a 240-volt inverter. It has also fitted the Crafter Kampervan with a portable rear entry step, table and two chairs, and external accessories such as a water hose, wheel chock and power extension lead.

It is priced from $133,390 before on-road costs. For a full run-down on the Crafter Kampervan, click on the read more link below.

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Volkswagen Crafter box, tipper and cold goods bodies

The box body is the first converted Crafter model to reach local shores, based on the single-cab 50 variant. It is converted by Ingimex in the United Kingdom.

Volkswagen says it has the highest payload in its sub-4.5-tonne truck class, at just under 1750 kilograms.

It features a roller door, flat surfaces for signwriting or wrapping, a 500-kilogram column-mounted or cantilever-mounted tail lift, and a second battery.

The box body Crafter is priced from $79,990 before on-road costs, with the first 22 vehicles set to arrive in Australia by Christmas.

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Meanwhile, the Crafter tipper and cold goods body are currently under evaluation for Australia, with sales expected to commence in late 2023 or early 2024.

It is based on the Crafter 35 dual-cab, however, Volkswagen Australia said a single-cab variant is under investigation.

The tipper is also converted by Ingimex, with a full-height steel construction, side-mounted locks to avoid finger traps, and high-visibility markings at the rear.

It has a 400-kilogram capacity for the gantry, with three load-lashing levels.

In the United Kingdom, the payload is listed at 1065kg.

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The cold goods Crafter is built by Carlsen Baltic in Lithuania, with a eutectic cooling system that does not require engine power to keep the body cold in transport.

"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"," said Volkswagen Australia.

It supports temperatures between -22 and -33 degrees, with the example in Australia set to undergo real-world testing in the summer to fine-tune it to our climate.

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This will be conducted by a cold goods distributor, before heading further north into warmer temperatures, with climate testing data sent back to the manufacturer in real time through a GPS tracking system with temperature sensors.

It has room for up to three pallets, with full approval in Europe and Australia.

While final pricing is yet to be locked in, Volkswagen Australia expects a circa-$130,000 list price.

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What else?

Volkswagen ID.Buzz electric van

The all-electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz remains under consideration for Australia, but local executives are hopeful it will arrive in early 2024.

Speaking with media at its conversions day event, local Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles director Ryan Davies said conversions for the electric van are likely.

“The recent IAA in Hanover had a huge number of converters that have had access to [the ID.Buzz Cargo], and they’ve already developed a number of conversion solutions for that car. It definitely going to continue with that iteration of vehicle despite the fact that that it’s electric,” he said.

“Customers still want solutions that suit their needs, whether it be racking or…the ability to have a coffee machine in the back, or whatever.

"You might get more flexibility given that it’s got an electric power as well, so, you know, there’s some interesting options there and I think that the conversion space with continue to grow, even with EVs at the forefront.”

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Next-generation Volkswagen Amarok XL and XXL extended-wheelbase

Two years ago, Volkswagen Australia introduced extended-wheelbase versions of the previous-generation Amarok, with the work completed by South Australian-based Adaptive Manufacturing.

The conversion was engineered by Veth Automotive in the Netherlands, which is said to be working on an extended wheelbase for the next-generation model.

“I believe [the supplier in the Netherlands is] working on it," said Ryan Davies.

"I’m not aware where it's up to with it at this stage, but that’s something that will come out over time as these partners get access to the car.

“I don’t know if it will definitely get an XL or an XXL, but my guess would be yes, at some point.”