Volkswagen Crafter Kampervan 2022: Jayco-built van to be sold in VW Australian dealerships

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Volkswagen has unveiled its largest Australian-market campervan yet in the form of the 2022 Crafter Kampervan that is being sub-assembled locally in collaboration with recreational vehicle manufacturer Jayco.

The Crafter Kampervan is set to go on sale in mid-May shortly after Jayco begins remanufacturing the Polish-built Crafter at its facility ​​Dandenong South in outer Melbourne, with deliveries set to take place in July.

Serving as the range-topping vehicle in a trio of factory-supported campervans, the Crafter Kampervan will sit above the Caddy California and Multivan California Beach in the line-up.

The collaboration with Jayco follows the significant sales success spawned from Volkswagen Australia’s partnership with Walkinshaw on the W-Series Amarok models which were also remanufactured in Victoria.

What does the Crafter Kampervan include?

Volkswagen will offer its latest adventure-seeking van exclusively in the 6.8-metre long-wheelbase guise paired all-wheel drive – but buyers can choose from three grades: Kampervan, Kampervan Style and a beefed-up Kampervan All-Terrain.

Prices are yet to be confirmed however the Crafter Kampervan is expected to start in the high $130,000 range and top out in the mid-$150,000s.

Volkswagen has carried over the Crafter’s 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine to the Kampervan variant, producing the same 130kW of power and 410Nm of torque as the regular model with a large 75-litre fuel tank.

Jayco has stripped-out and rebuilt the inside of the Crafter Kampervan with a range of features including a dining area that transforms into a three-person bed, though the van has travel seating for four people.

A full kitchen and a bathroom (complete with a shower and toilet) are connected to a 120-litre fresh water tank along with an 85-litre grey/wastewater system just like a traditional caravan.

A microwave, fridge, gas cooktop stove, a reverse cycle airconditioner and diesel-powered heating system have also been installed. The living facilities and entertainment features – such as a TV paired with an interior and exterior sound system – are supported by a 200W solar system and 120Ah lithium battery.

Volkswagen has given Kampervan further off-road credibility by adding a mechanical locking differential at the rear, adding heavily duty suspension and integrating a hill descent assist function to manage tricky declines.

Stepping up to the Kampervan Style grade adds a heated windscreen, heated steering wheel along with LED headlights paired with a washer system to keep them bright – plus driver assistance features such as lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and built-in navigation.

Sitting at the top of the range is the Kampervan All-Terrain which lives up to its name by raising the ride height by 30mm and adding steel wheels wrapped in chunky off-road tyres.

Engineers have also made the Kampervan All-Terrain more durable by adding underbody production around the engine, rear differential, rear suspension and AdBlue tank for some added peace of mind. A snorkel can also be added as an option.

A total of four colours will be offered including four two-tone metallic paint options.

Jayco modifications supported by warranty

Volkswagen is keen to point out the advantages of purchasing one of their factory-approved campervans which are covered by a full five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, unlike other aftermarket conversions which traditionally have a far more limited warranty period.

Mercedes-Benz is the only other manufacturer to offer a factory-build campervan with the midsize Marco Polo Horizon that starts at $121,199 before on-roads.

The Crafter Kampervan was designed and tested at Jayco’s 50-acre facility in Victoria where the van will be built to Volkswagen’s specifications.

Between 15 to 20 units of the Kampervan are expected to be built by July, with Volkswagen setting a conservative target of 120 a year. However, the popularity shown by the runaway success of the Multivan California Beach is likely to trigger larger-scale production.

Volkswagen has opened expressions of interest for the Crafter Kampervan on its website with online sales to begin in mid-May this year.