Volkswagen has treated its Crafter panel van to an extensive technology update, adding in key innovations.

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Due to start pre-sales from mid-April, the overhauled Crafter now gets a digital cockpit, latest-generation infotainment system and a digital voice assistant with ChatGPT integration.

Already featured on the brand’s passenger cars, the Digital Cockpit infotainment system comes with a freestanding 10.3-inch screen – or a 12.9-inch as an option. It’s based on the latest modular infotainment matrix (MIB) and uses a new graphical interface and self-explanatory menu navigation to streamline use.

A new intelligent digital voice assistant also debuts, complete with the AI-based ChatGPT tool, able to respond to natural voice commands and give answers to a wealth of queries.

The handbrake and the switch for the automatic gearbox have been redesigned, as have the controls for the light functions, the buttons in the area of the centre console and all vents. The Crafter also comes with a multifunction steering wheel.

Latest assist systems also make their debut. Standard systems include front assist – providing autonomous emergency braking including cyclist and pedestrian monitoring; lane assist; dynamic road sign display, a speed limiter and acoustic park distance Control for the rear area.

Travel Assist will be available as an option for the Crafter for the first time. In combination with Travel Assist, Emergency Assist is also being introduced in the Crafter.

The latest generation of the Transit rival launched in 2017 and sold 354,000 units up to the end of 2022 across its panel van, dropside, chassis and Grand California camper variants.