Volkswagen does a Runner
BY MIKE COSTELLO | 14th Aug 2012
Only 200 examples of the Caddy Runner are available while the Transporter Runner is limited to 350 units.
Both are pitched as more utilitarian than the current entry variants on which they are based, featuring special hard-wearing ‘Runner’ interior trim “equipped to withstand the rigours of daily deliveries of courier drivers in Germany”.
Priced from just $29,990 driveaway, the diesel-powered Transporter Runner substantially undercuts key rivals in the medium-size van segment including the Hyundai iLoad ($34,490) and Toyota HiAce ($36,990), both of which require extra for on-road costs, widening the price gap even further.
The sharp starting price represents a significant reduction over the standard Transporter TDI 250, which retails for $36,740 plus ORCs.
The smaller Caddy Runner, meanwhile, is priced from just $19,990 driveaway compared to the TSI 160 variant on which it is based that retails for $21,990 plus ORCs.
The driveaway price compares favourably to the rival Citroen Berlingo (from $19,990 plus ORCs), Renault Kangoo ($24,490 plus ORCs) and Holden Combo ($21,280 plus ORCs).
The Transport Runner is powered by the same 2.0-litre direct-injection turbo-diesel engine as the TDI 250, producing 75kW of power and 250Nm of torque.
Matched to the standard five-speed manual gearbox, combined-cycle fuel economy is listed as 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres and the payload is 1149kg.
The Caddy is powered by a 63kW/160Nm turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine that provides economy of 6.9L/100km with the standard manual gearbox and a payload of 800kg.
Despite the dramatically reduced prices, both Runner editions still include standard electronic stability control, hill-hold control, ‘climatic’ air-conditioning and – unusually for the segment – daytime-running lights.
Both get the standard Volkswagen Commercials three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.
| Volkswagen Commercial Runner Edition pricing: | |
| Caddy | $19,990 drive-away |
| Transporter | $29,990 drive-away |
