VW updates Caddy and Transporter range

Volkswagen has new Caddy and Transporter models with new safety, infotainment and exterior designs

 

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced the arrival of the latest Caddy and Transporter ranges to Australia boasting new designs, added safety, and reduced fuel consumption numbers.

Coming 11 years after its predecessor, the fourth-generation Caddy has been launched in Australia with a TSI petrol engine offering 92kW and BlueMotion technology.

Volkswagen says the 1.4-litre TSI engine, with a maximum torque of 220Nm @1,500 – 3,500rpm, can be shipped with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG transmission.

While it is the only engine available currently, Volkswagen says the latest diesel engines will be made available during the year.

Both Caddy versions – the van and the people mover – ship in two lengths, with the short version riding on a wheelbase spanning 2,682mm and the Caddy Maxi on a wheelbase of 3,006mm.

As the versions have approximately the same height, the extra 47cm in length provides the Maxi with an additional one cubic metre of cargo space – 3,200 litres vs 4,200 litres.

When it comes to suspension, the new Caddy models feature independent wheel suspension on the front axle and a rigid rear axle on leaf springs with load-sensitive shock absorbers.

For safety, the fourth-generation range comes with combined side/head airbags for Caddy vans and second-row curtain airbags for Caddy people movers; Front Assist surround monitoring system, which aids in short stopping distances; and City Emergency Braking, which assists drives to stop when travelling under 30km/h.

“If the driver fails to see an obstacle, the system automatically applies the brakes and ensures that the speed of any collision is reduced,” Volkswagen says.

“Ideally, it completely prevents the vehicle from running into the obstacle.”

The Front Assist system is included in the optional Driver Assistance Package, which also includes Adaptive Cruise Control.

 

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Also on offer from Volkswagen is the multi-collision braking system, a solution that automatically applies the brake after a crash has taken place, and its fatigue detection system, which alerts drivers when they have deviated from normal driving behaviour and suggests a break.

When it comes to infotainment, there are two new radio and radio/navigation systems, all with touchscreens.

The new systems ship in three specification levels, and span either 5 inches or 6.3 inches.

For those who like to look out the back while also looking forward, a revering camera is standard in the Caddy people mover and an option in the Caddy van.

Parking can also be assisted by Volkswagen’s optional 360˚ optical parking system (OPS) in the Caddy Maxi Comfortline models with park assist fitted.

“The OPS provides a graphic representation of the vehicle from above on the colour display of the radio or radio/navigation system,” the company says.

“By means of yellow and red signals the driver can then easily see whether the Caddy Maxi has a sufficient gap from any obstacles at both front and rear.”

ParkPilot provides drivers with audible beeps to aid parking.

The Caddy van range starts at $28,990, while the Caddy people mover range starts at $29,690.

 

Transporter range

Like the new Caddy range, the sixth-generation Transporter models include a number of new features covering safety and in-car technology.

However, the Transporter models have something extra – a new EA288 engine.

The new TDI diesel engine has 150kW of power @ 4000rpm, and is joined by two others offering 103kW @ 3,500rpm and 132kW @ 4000rpm.

All engines are fitted with Volkswagen’s Blue Motion Technology.

When it comes to transmissions, the range can ship with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG.

As an optional extra, DSG in the Mulitvan and Caravelle features sport mode and Tiptronic function.

While most vehicles in the range are two-wheel drive, the TDI400 series for Transporter and the TDI450 series for the Highline can also feature 4Motion all-wheel drive.

 

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All safety features mentioned in the Caddy range are optional in the Transporter range (front assist, city emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, driver fatigue alert, and multi-collision brakes), however ABS, ESP and EDL are standards across the range.

The only model in the range with hill descent control is the TDI450 Highline, which allows the brakes on individual wheels to act independently to slow the vehicles on an incline.

In line with the Caddy range is the division of the Transporter range into two categories – the commercial vehicles (van, crewvan, single cab and dual cab) and the passenger vehicles (Multivan and Caravelle) – and two different wheelbases.

However, unlike the Caddy range, the Transport range also has a range of roof heights on offer in van and crewvan models.

The Transporter range has access points at the back and on the passenger side, and starts from a cargo area of 4.3m² and load capacity of 5.8m³ courtesy of a 3,000mm wheelbase and normal roof.

 “This increases with a medium-high roof (22.5cm higher) to 6.7m³,” Volkswagen says.

“Over and above this, the van is also optionally available with a wheelbase extended by 40 centimetres, which – with a total length of 5.29 metres – offers an outstanding cargo area of 5.0m².

“This produces in the normal roof version a load capacity of 6.7m³ and in combination with the medium-high roof a capacity of 7.8m³.

“The high roof variant is exclusively available with a long wheel base and has a volume of 9.3m³.”

The same Caddy infotainment systems are present in the Transporter, including the ability to utilise Volkswagen’s App-Connect system to connect via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mirror Link.

The Transporter van range starts at $36,990.

 

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