VW Crafter 2011 facelift - new grille and engine
April 2011 saw the debut of the revamped facelifted version of the Crafter. The main changes included the front of the vehicle, making the front radiator grille similar to the solutions used in passenger cars. A new 2.0 TDI engine with 109, 136 and 163 HP was also introduced. The engine had an exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) and a diesel particulate filter (DPF). The changes were aimed at meeting the new Euro 5b emissions standards. Interestingly, the renewed Crafter version appeared on the market two years earlier than the Mercedes Sprinter facelift. The vehicles were still produced at the same factory, but differed in some components. In March 2012, a van with 4x4 drive was introduced into production, hailed as Crafter 4Motion. The Austrian Achleitner team was responsible for the conversion.

Volkswagen Crafter 2011
VW Crafter - VAG breaks with old distribution strategy
Also worth noting is Volkswagen's change in policy to market as many different versions of the vehicle as possible. Some of them were factory-made (double cab), but the vast majority were offered by contracted subcontractors who created passenger versions of minibuses or even camper vans under licence. The expansion of the range of body versions was intended to appeal to the widest possible audience, which brought very good results. Only a few years after the premiere, 440,000 units were sold.