New Volkswagen Caddy to retail in SA in November
One of the most under-rated vehicles on our roads is the VW Caddy. Launched in South Africa in 1992, the Caddy has gone through four generations and has sold 35 617 units, 1 730 in 2020 and achieved 88% of the A City Van segment. World-wide the Caddy has sold over 3 million vehicles since 1979.
I say the Caddy is under-rated only from an awareness point of view, as I believe this amazing versatile van fits into so many lifestyles and has made itself very appealing to a wide range of buyers. In November 2021 the fifth generation will be available to the market with an array of variants including the Caddy Maxi, Caddy Kombi, Caddy Maxi Kombie, Caddy Cargo and Caddy Maxi Cargo.
The exterior has an enhanced striking sporty design built on the Modular Transverse Matrix platform the same as the Golf 8. New LED headlights and LED rear lights, painted body-coloured bumpers, black roof rails, panoramic sunroof with glass area of 1.4m2. A removable tow bar, 16-inch Wien alloy wheels and exterior paintwork in five new colours gives 12 colours choices in total.
The Caddy entry-level derivative is a short wheelbase with five seats and an optional seven-seat selection. The Caddy Maxi is the long-wheel base and has seven-seat configuration as standard.
The Caddy Kombi is ideal for everyday use and is also great for leisure, sport, work, and holidays. The Caddy is so versatile it can be converted to suit various personal requirements such as a mobile office, K9 unit, hearse, or wheelchair friendly for customers with living disabilities. The Kombi version is available in short-wheel base with seven seats or long-wheel base with five seats and an option to change to seven seats configuration. Both models have removeable and folding seats as well as easy access sliding rear passenger doors.
The Caddy Kombi features black coated bumpers, steel wheels, H7 halogen headlights, electronic brakes with auto-hold and as an option you can have Rear View Camera, LED headlights, App-Connect, multi-function steering wheel, 16-inch Wien alloy wheels, tow bar, rear wing doors, front fog lamps and cruise control.
Moving to the Caddy Cargo, the short-wheel base is 2.755mm in length with a load compartment volume of 3.1m3. The Maxi version with long wheelbase is 2.970mm allowing a load compartment of 3.7m3. The Caddy Cargo also comes with brake assist, electronically adjustable door mirrors, an electronic parking brake, daytime running lights and twin off-side and near-side sliding doors.
Inside the Caddy range the Composition Comfort radio is smartphone compatible with the modern instrument cluster now with traditional rotary switch for lights. The LED interior lights enhance the interior of the cabin.
Two engines power the new Caddy range one petrol and one diesel. The petrol is 1.6i MPI four cylinder developing 81kW torque of 152Nm coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission. Fuel consumption is 7.3 litres/100km. The four-cylinder diesel engine also develops 81kW and torque of 300Nm coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission. Fuel efficiency is 5.5 litres/100km.
The passenger Caddy comes with a 3-year/120 000km warranty while the Kombi and Kombi Maxi, Caddy Cargo and Cargo Maxi come standard with 2-year/unlimited km warranty. All Caddy models carry the 12-year anti-corrosion warranty, with service intervals set at 15 000kms.
Launched in November 2021 the final retail prices will be announced closer to the launch date.
