Design sketches of the new Volkswagen Crafter commercial vehicle have been revealed showing off the new-look van which promises “a high level of functionality and quality”.

SET FOR LAUNCH later this year, the first design sketches of the new Volkswagen Crafter have been revealed showing off the T6-inspired front and rear. “Clearly displaying Volkswagen’s design DNA and conceived as the ‘big brother’ of the T-series, the all-new Crafter promises innovation, plus a high level of functionality and quality”.

That doesn’t say much, and Volkswagen is keeping quiet on details, but we can expect the new Crafter to be available in much the same trim as the T6, meaning the full suite of infotainment and communication options will be available, although the base cars are likely to be quite spartan in their trim.

The new Crafter makes a radical design departure from the current model and brings it into line with the recently-released T6 Transporter and other VW vehicles, like the new Tiguan.

Plenty of car makers say they worked closely with existing customers to build the ‘new car’ but I can’t help but giggle when I read “Experts at Volkswagen Commercial vehicles have worked closely with current customers, frequently accompanying them during their daily routines, to explore their needs and find out their visions of what they wanted the new Crafter to be, allowing them to help shape the new generation”.

Albert-Johann Kirzinger, Head of Design at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWN), said: “Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ T-series, the ‘Bulli’, is effectively being given a ‘big brother’ through the introduction of the new Crafter. With the Crafter, a level of surface quality, robustness and at the same time high qualitative value are achieved that have never before been available in this commercial vehicle class.”

We’re expecting more information to be dribbled out over the next few weeks and months.