Electrical Connection Winter 2016

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V olkswagen’s fourth-generation Caddy compact van has
reached the Australian market, with the German brand
rolling out more new variants during 2016 to flesh out
a range that arrived late last year with a new higher-output
petrol engine and a host of high-end features.
Aiming to keep the Caddy in its position as the top-selling
sub-2.5t van in Australia, VW claims every area of the new
model has been enhanced and refined.
An entry-level petrol engine and two new diesels are
anticipated soon, but at launch VW has thrown its weight
behind a new 1.4L TSI220 four-cylinder petrol engine that
delivers 92kW of power at 4,800rpm and 220Nm of torque from
1,500-3,500rpm.
The previous Caddy didn’t offer a petrol engine, nor has it
ever been available with an automatic transmission, but that
has now changed with a seven-speed DSG gearbox on offer
alongside the standard six-speed manual. The TSI220 also
delivers fuel economy as low as 6.0L/100km thanks to the
inclusion of VW’s ‘BlueMotion’ technology which includes
automatic engine idle-stop and brake energy recuperation.
A variety of other high-tech driver-assist features were
engineered into the vehicle, including fatigue detection and
a damage-limiting multi-collision braking system – just two
items among an already impressive list of standard safety
equipment – while combined side/head airbags for the driver
and front passenger are also now on board.
Among the optional packages developed for the new Caddy is
a driver assistance pack with adaptive cruise control, forward
collision warning, ‘front assist’ surround monitoring system,
city emergency braking and advanced lighting features.
Still a delivery van at its core, the Caddy’s redesigned
exterior and cabin keep it up to date in terms of aesthetics,
comfort, convenience and practicality.
VW continues to offer two wheelbase lengths –the 2,682mm
SWB and 3,006mm Maxi – with the latter coming in either
standard two-seat van or five-seat Crewvan. At the business
end, cargo space ranges from 3,200L in the SWB panel van to
4,200L in the Maxi, while the Crewvan is pegged back to 1,650L
when all seats are in use, but configurable back up to 4,130L.
GVM ranges from 2,095kg on the SWB van (fitted with DSG
as standard) to 2,249kg on the top-end Maxi Crewvan, while
unladen mass runs from 1,322kg to 1,523kg and payloads vary
from 726kg to 847kg, depending on the variant.
With no manual, the SWB auto kicks off from $28,990 plus
on-road costs, just ahead of the manual Maxi van priced from
$28,190 and the Maxi Crewvan from $32,690. DSG on the two
Maxis costs $3,000.
Volkswagon
VOLKSWAGEN CADDY