Robert Barry loads up VW Commerical’s smallest haulers
Volkswagen New Zealand’s smallest light commercial – the Golf-based Caddy van – has been revitalised with a new look, a new petrol engine, and a safety and technology upgrade.
It is the second facelift for the Type 2K Caddy, according to the Volkswagen factory, and this brings the Polish-built vehicle into line with the rest of the refreshed passenger and commercial line-up.
A two model range continues, with the 3.2 cubic metre capacity Caddy and the 4.2 cubic metre capacity Caddy Maxi. Both are now Euro 6 compliant.
There is a new front fascia and interior to keep the Caddy competitive against its more modern rivals.
Interestingly, it doesn’t sit on the new Volkswagen Group MQB platform, but an older platform related to the Golf V and VI – but still provides the same car-like handling and comfort that owners enjoy.
The compact van market is a particularly niche one in New Zealand, and Volkswagen counts Noel Leeming, The Order of Saint John, IHC and Driving Miss Daisy amongst its customers for the two Caddy varaints.
The sales split between the Caddy and the longer wheelbase Maxi runs about 70:30 depending on fleet customer requirements, says Michael Babbage, NZ product manager for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
Currently, the Caddy enjoys about 60% market share according to Babbage, and he says its most direct competitors are the Suzuki APV, Peugeot Partner, and Renault Kangoo.
The popular XC series Holden Combo disappeared mid 2013, and not having a replacement left more potential buyers for the Caddy to conquer.
For 2015, the Caddy has received a power upgrade in the form of a 92kW/220Nm 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine, available with a six-speed manual gearbox, or a seven-speed DSG.
It’s a big step up in performance and efficiency from the previous 77kW 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine which was only available with a manual gearbox.
The availability of both manual and automatic transmissions with the 1.4-litre petrol engine means that diesel auto and manual Caddy models will be available on indent order only.
This new strategy has come about because of the availability of a DSG transmission with the petrol engine and because the market has shifted away from diesel.
Volkswagen Commercial feels that because the new 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine only has 30Nm less torque than the 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine, it will find more favour with buyers who are not happy to pay $60.00 per 1000km of road user charges.
Although VW boss Tom Ruddenklau commented to DIESELtalk that large fleet customers with their own diesel pump on site will be more likely to indent order the Caddy TDI models.
As part of the facelift upgrade the 2015 Caddy also gets reversing sensors and a rearview camera, upgraded sound system, Bluetooth telephony is now controlled by buttons on the new steering wheel, and there is also a USB power outlet to charge cellphones and other electronic devices.
A new engine and more technology doesn’t come without a price rise, and the new Caddy now retails from $33,990 for the six-speed manual model, and $37,490 for the seven-speed DSG automatic.
The Caddy Maxi will retail from $37,490 for the six-speed manual model and $40,900 for the seven-speed DSG automatic.
Driving impressions
While Green Van Man doesn’t have quite the same ring as White Van Man, I just absolutely loved the colour choice and big ups to VWNZ for having the cojones to order it for their press and demonstrator vehicle.
The Viper Green Caddy certainly made a statement and wasn’t difficult to find in a car park.
That shade of metallic paint is a $1200 option and JKC112 was also fitted with the ambient traffic monitoring front assist with city emergency braking for $650, as well as the cruise control feature for $800.
That traffic monitoring feature is worth every dollar of the $650. The system works very well and prevented me from having an unnecessary nose-to-tail incident in heavy traffic on Dominion Road one morning while commuting into the office.
I’d completely forgotten the system was fitted, until it bleeped at me, and achieved the desired result, I damn near pushed the brake pedal through the firewall.
Considering the cost and inconvenience of a crash no matter how minor, and the costs of lost productivity as well, which can run into thousands of dollars for a fleet owner, asking $650 for an option that could negate this seems more than reasonable to me.
The older 1.2-litre Caddy was no slouch on the road, but the new one is even more nimble and nippy.
The reversing camera and sensors are brilliant, especially in a vehicle without side windows and a major blind spot.
A new multifunction stereo, touchscreen, and easily accessed USB outlet and 12V outlet make the 2015 Caddy a functional mobile office with plenty of storage spaces available in the cabin as well.
The new interior and comfortable seats further enhance this small workhorse and should prove popular with fleet drivers.
