VW prices Caddy Beach as most affordable camper van

VOLKSWAGEN is capitalising on Australia’s growing taste for recreational vehicles (RV) with the local release of the Caddy Beach camper van – the most affordable vehicle of its kind currently on the market, at $46,990 driveaway.

The Caddy Beach is based on the Maxi TSI220 Trendline, which is priced at $36,690 plus on-road costs, but it adds a number of camping features including a fold-out bed, walk-through tent at the tailgate, two folding camp chairs and table, tray tables for rear passengers, window curtains, a rechargeable torch and four storage bags for the rear side windows.

While there are various aftermarket companies that will fit-out vans with camping equipment, there are few full-time production campers to compete with the Caddy Beach, which resides alone in the sub-$60,000 segment.

Speaking to GoAuto at the Caddy Beach media launch in Sydney this week, Volkswagen Group Australia national marketing manager Nick Reid explained that the market for recreational vehicles is on the rise.

“Australians spent $135 billion on domestic travel in 2018, which is eight per cent higher than the previous year, so Australians are travelling more, within the country,” he said.

“On average Australians spend 52 million nights caravanning and camping in Australia, and within that, 7.1 million Australians stayed in a caravan park to visit in 2018.

“Interestingly, 47 per cent of the travellers are aged between 30 and 54, so quite often there’s a perception that domestic camping and caravanning is driven by the grey-nomad market, though there is also a trend for younger, more well-to-do Australians regularly visiting caravan parks.”

Volkswagen’s local wing has an allocation of 120 Caddy Beach examples specified with adaptive bi-xenon headlights, foglights, 17-inch alloy wheels with a unique decal, black-painted roof rails and tinted tail-lights and passenger windows.

On the inside, the van features a touchscreen infotainment system with six-speaker audio, and safety technology extends to autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.

According to Volkswagen Group Australia director of commercial vehicles Ryan Davies, the company recognises its camper heritage with the iconic Kombi that was first introduced in 1950 and hopes to tap into that fanbase with the Caddy Beach.

“The Caddy Beach is a return to our roots – an inexpensive and fun campervan much like the

original Kombi,” he said.

“The Caddy Beach will forge the same sort of connection with customers, whether they’re doing the

school run, heading away for the weekend or going around Australia.”

The Caddy Beach’s engine carries over from the TSI220 Maxi Trendline upon which it is based, producing 92kW/220Nm from the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol unit, and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sends these outputs to the front wheels. Fuel economy is rated at 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres.

Seven paintwork colours are available, including Candy White, Reflex Silver, Fortana Red, Indium Grey, Viper Green and Sandstorm Yellow.

Buyers wanting extra accessories can option for rubber floor mats, a tow bar, a surfboard carrier, a roof box, roof rails, a bicycle carrier and weather shields for the front windows.

As with all current Volkswagen models, the Caddy Beach comes with a standard five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty with 12 months of roadside assist.