A new riot van conversion based on the Volkswagen Crafter is to make its debut at next week’s CV Show in Birmingham.
Carried out by Coleman Milne Specialist Vehicles in Wigan – a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Accredited Blue Light Conversion Partner, the conversion is based on the five-tonne, long wheelbase Volkswagen Crafter in Trendline trim and featuring the 177hp 2.0-litre diesel.
The Police Support Unit (PSU) brings features including a half-width prison cell in the rear plus seating for seven people and an ‘unbreakable’ windshield that negates the need for a regular metal guard screen protector. It also incorporates a storage system to store riot shields, helmets and other police equipment.
Steven Cowell, technical sales manager at Volkswagen Group Fleet Services, said: “We’re delighted to reveal our latest blue light conversion – a riot van based on the long wheelbase Volkswagen Crafter – after months of hard work by our dedicated team alongside our Accredited Blue Light Conversion Partner, Coleman Milne. Following its much anticipated debut at the CV Show 2019, the PSU will be put into service across the country supporting police forces in their vital roles.”
Other vehicles on display at VW’s CV Show stand include a new Engineered To Go Volkswagen Crafter accessible minibus featuring a wheelchair lift and 16 passenger seats. VW will also demonstrate its commitment to accessible mobility, with wheelchair-accessible versions of the Caddy, Transporter and Caravelle.
And VW will also reveal electric versions of the e-Caddy, e-Transporter and e-Crafter on display. The e-Caddy, which alongside the e-Transporter is built by partner ABT, will be the first to arrive in right-hand drive this year, followed by e-Transporter in 2020 and e-Crafter in 2021.
To read Van Fleet World’s CV Show preview, click here.
