With the original Caddy still selling well in Australia, Volkswagen is looking to lift its marketshare with the launch of
With the original Caddy still selling well in Australia, Volkswagen is looking to lift its marketshare with the launch of a long wheelbase version, the Caddy Maxi.
While the biggest change is to the wheelbase, with an extra 32cm, and 15cm went onto the rear overhang, VW designers have created a comfortable cross between car and van, which should prove popular.
The familiar bonneted front remains, providing a direct link to the Golf hatchback that donates many components, also offering good occupant protection in the event of a frontal impact.
Other major safety features include ABS, Traction Control and Engine Brake Control as standard, while the optional ESP can be ordered on its own or with Brake Assist and towing stabilisation as part of a factory fitted towing package.
Diesel models also come standard with cruise control, another desirable feature in a work environment featuring multiple speed zones and plenty of speed cameras.
Inside, virtually any shape driver and passenger can make themselves comfortable, with plenty of head, leg and shoulder room, although the driver’s footrest felt badly positioned during the short drive at the vehicle’s launch.
As expected from testing previous Caddy and Golf models, the ergonomics are spot on, with all of the major controls falling easily to hand.
Steering is both light and direct, making the Caddy plenty of fun to drive, even when loaded, while the gearshift and clutch are delightfully light, easing the strain on the left leg, which was appreciated in the heavy traffic of Sydney during the launch programme.
For diesel purchasers, who are expected to make up the majority of Caddy Maxi owners, there is also the option of the six-speed DSG, a computer-controlled automated manual, which offers a combination fuel economy and maximised performance.
The Caddy Maxi is designed as a work van, pure and simple, with a wagon version, the Caddy life, featuring seven seats due for launch later this year.
For this reason, there are dual sliding side doors, rear barn doors as standard, with an optional tailgate available, making loading and unloading a simple chore, with wide openings for even the biggest bodies to reach in.
At the rear, the barn doors open up to allow a 1,200mm wide pallet to sit between the wheel arches, perfect for multiple drops of a single product.
The expanded wheelbase and overhang combine to increase the volume to 4.2 cubic metres, up from the standard Caddy’s 3.2 cubic metres, which means large, lightweight goods are easily handled.
With both 1.6-litre petrol and 1.9-litre diesel versions available, Volkswagen Australia’s head of commercial vehicles Phil Clark says he is confident there will be a model to suit every requirement.
Look for a full test of the Caddy in an upcoming edition of ATN.