The Volkswagen Caddy is a small light commercial van which drives like a car. VW has equipped its medium-sized panel van with an array of technology including advanced safety kit and up-to-the-minute infotainment options. With the Caddy drivers will experience a generation of engines that are especially smooth running and economical. Every engine includes BlueMotion Technology as standard and complies with the Euro 6 emission standard, enabling VW Caddy drivers to look forward to more power and less fuel consumption.
BlueMotion Engine Technology;
Volkswagen models with BlueMotion Technology are in line with the “Think Blue“ concept. That is why every single one of the Euro 6 engines is equipped with a start/stop system, regenerative breaking, Hill Start Assist and roll resistance-optimised tyres. The stop/start system helps you to drive economically, and switches off the engine when in neutral. This can reduce fuel consumption especially in urban traffic or stop-and-go situations. With the regenerative braking, frictional energy is stored during braking, and converted into electrical energy by a generator. This is then stored in the car battery and available for electricity consumption and acceleration, while the roll resistance-optimised tyres are manufactured from a special rubber compound which minimises deformation from driving. This contributes to reduced fuel consumption.
Choice of Wheelbase;
The VW Caddy is not just a panel van, as it is also offered as a Caddy Life Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV). The Caddy Life is a more family-focused version, which comes in both five and seven-seat options. For Caddy Panel Van buyers there is a choice of wheelbases, with the longer version known as the Caddy Maxi. The external design of the Caddy has been face-lifted, although it will take a close look to immediately pick the fourth generation from the third. However, the improvement in the interior will be instantly obvious. The van is designed as a working vehicle, with a large open tray in the top of the dash, a lockable glove box and an open compartment in front of the passenger. Additional storage compartments can be found under the front seats and there’s a huge roof shelf behind the windscreen. Heater controls are logical and simple to use, as are the controls for the Infotainment system.
Three Trim Levels;
The VW Caddy Panel Van model line-up comprises of Startline, Trendline, and range-topping Highline specifications, and all come with a generous amount of standard equipment including driver’s seat height adjustment, DAB radio/cd player, electric windows and mirrors, a near-side sliding door, remote locking and class-leading safety features including ABS, Brake Assist, 4 Airbags, EBD, EDL, ESP, HHC, seat belt warning and post-collision warning. The Caddy Trendline adds cruise control, Parking Distance Control, Driver Alert, twin sun visors with vanity mirrors, 8-way adjustable driver seat, plus body-colour bumpers, mirrors and door handles to replace the standard black items. The Caddy Highline moves things further upmarket, with climatic air-conditioning, leather steering wheel, auto lights and wipers, Composition Media infotainment system, heated windscreen, front fog lamps and the all-important alloy wheels.
Test Vehicle;
My test vehicle was the Caddy Highline Panel Van with a six speed manual gearbox, and was finished in striking Acapulco Blue metallic paint for maximum impact. Power was provided by a 2.0–litre TDI Euro 6 engine with 150bhp. This engine produces a healthy 340Nm of torque and can sprint from 0-100km/h in as little as 9.2-seconds. The cargo area in the standard wheelbase van is 3.2 cubic metres and the towing capacity (with a braked trailer) is 1500kg’s. The load length from bulkhead to the rear doors is 1,779mm, while the overall width is 1,556mm (1,170mm between the wheelarches), and the height from floor to roof is 1,244mm. The LWB Caddy Maxi increases the cargo area cubic capacity to an impressive 4.2 cubic metres, while bringing the load length up to 2,249mm.
Other engines available in the Caddy are 75bhp and 102bhp, and all engines are 2.0-litre TDI’s, while all Caddy vans come with Volkswagen’s SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology that provides the Caddy with impressive NOx emissions by injecting AdBlue solution into the exhaust gasses. Economy figures are excellent across the range, with a spread of between 4.6-litres/100km and 5.1-litres/100km depending on the engine chosen. A payload of up to 814kg is available in the Caddy Panel Van – depending on the model chosen.
Pricing;
The current VW Caddy Panel Van is a stylish, high quality load carrier, while it’s passenger car-derived running gear and technology has done a lot to keep the van at the head of the pack. On-the-road prices start from just €18,945 (incl. Vat) and represent excellent value for money.
Fact Box;
1) Car-Like Driving Dynamics
2) Cutting-Edge Technology
3) Three Trim Levels
4) Up to 814kg Payload
5) Excellent Value For Money.
