Volkswagen’s Caddy range gets bump in safety
BY TUNG NGUYEN | 14th Oct 2016
The Caddy range now kicks off at $28,590 for the six-speed manual Maxi Van TSI220, with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic option adding $3000 to the pricetag. The automatic-only Caddy Van TSI220 is now $29,390 and the range-topping Maxi Crewvan TSI220 is $30,090 for the manual and $33,090 for the automatic.
All Caddys are powered by a 1.4-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine, producing 92kW of power and a meaty 220Nm of torque to help lug excess loads.
Justifying the increase in price, Volkswagen Group Australia director of commercial vehicles Carlos Santos said the Caddy is the only vehicle in its class which can boast forward collision warning and city emergency braking.
“No competitor can offer this technology as an option let alone as standard,” he said.
“This is hugely relevant for a vehicle driven mainly in traffic-dense urban environments where most accidents are low speed impacts – the sort of accidents that Forward Collision Warning and City Emergency Brake help prevent.”Mr Santos also said that even though the Caddy is a light-commercial vehicle, it is treated with the same level of attention as its passenger cars.
“Caddy embodies the qualities that distinguish Volkswagen’s commercial model line-up. There are no white tin cans in our range.
“Our vehicles are built with the same consideration for the driver as a Golf and are the most car-like to drive of their type.”Sales of the Caddy van have hit 1283 to the end of September this year, and, while numbers are down 19.4 per cent compared to the 1591 sold over the same period last year, Volkswagen’s light-commercial van is leading its segment ahead of the Renault Kangoo (849), Citroen Berlingo (234), Suzuki APV (360) and Fiat Doblo (98).
| 2016 Volkswagen Caddy pricing* | |
| Caddy Van (a) | $29,390 |
| Caddy Maxi Van | $28,590 |
| Caddy Maxi Van (a) | $31,590 |
| Caddy Maxi Crewvan | $30,090 |
| Caddy Maxi Crewvan (a) | $33,090 |
