New MAN TGE and Volkswagen Crafter launched at IAA 2016

[kscarbel2]

In Europe, the cab & chassis commercial van (2-door or 4-door crew cab) is the equivalent of the U.S. market pickup in the commercial truck segment.

While it may not excite for personal use, the European van is applicable to a majority of commercial applications, excels in versatility, and with its fuel-sipping 4- or 5-cylinder diesel engines offers far lower cost-of-operation. It's hard to imagine anything more practical.

The new TGE van range is the MAN version of the all-new self-designed Volkswagen Crafter van line-up. Previously, VW was using the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter’s basic architecture under license, and applying a different front fascia, interior and drivetrain.   

Like the European market Ford Transit, the TGE/Crafter is impressively available with front-wheel, all-wheel or rear-wheel drive, to suit everyone’s needs and preferences.

GVW’s from 6,614 lb (3.0 metric tons) to 12,125 lb (5.5 metric tons).

Four 2.0-liter diesel engine options rated at 101hp (75kW), 121hp (90kW), 138hp (103kW) or 174hp (130kW).

6-speed manual transmission or 8-speed automatic.

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MAN TGE sales brochure - http://www.van.man.eu/van/media/en/contentmedia/doc/business_website_germany/pdf/man_tge_van_launchbroschure_en.pdf

MAN TGE technical details - http://www.van.man.eu/van/media/en/contentmedia/doc/business_website_germany/pdf/man_tge_launch_en_technical_details.pdf

New (2017) VW Crafter - http://the-new-crafter.com/com/en/

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[kscarbel2]

FYI, this is the 2006-2016 Crafter that is being discontinued, which was based on the M-B Sprinter.

http://www.volkswagen-commercial-vehicles.com/content/medialib/vwd4/int_vwn/pdf/brochures/latest-brochures-and-flyers/the-crafter/_jcr_content/renditions/rendition_1.file/web_pdf_cr_katalog_18_kw22_2016.pdf

[kscarbel2]

For folks that don't need a van with the Crafter's capacity, the smaller Transporter is available as a panel van, window van, and as a 2- or 4-door cab & chassis. Once again, superb versatility.

http://www.volkswagen-commercial-vehicles.com/content/medialib/vwd4/int_vwn/pdf/brochures/latest-brochures-and-flyers/the-transporter/_jcr_content/renditions/rendition.file/web_pdf_tr_katalog_18_kw22_2016.pdf

[kscarbel2]

Ford offers an absolutely superb mid-sized van, a competitor to the VW Transporter, that I feel has far better "packaging" than the slightly smaller Transit Connect (available in the US market).

Note: The Transit line-up includes 4 models. Besides the full-size Transit van now in the US market, the smallest is the Transit Courier (Courier, a name we all remember attached to Mazda B2000 pickups).

Called the Transit Custom (panel van) and Transit Tourneo (window van), it could be the modern day replacement for the sorely missed Chevrolet Astro mid-sized van that was the perfectly-sized backbone of America's service industry.

Brochures (UK market) available here - http://www.ford.co.uk/Hidden/BrochuresandPricelists/tabid=tab1?fmccmp=other:cvwc-app:build:header::brochure cta

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