Volkswagen’s new Caddy panel range will cost from £13,500 when it arrives on UK roads in September.
Order books open in late June for the new van range, the second best seller in VW’s commercial line-up after the Transporter.
The fourth-generation version promises a new engine line-up, comfort, convenience and safety and new latest technology.
Launch versions of the Caddy offer a choice of three 2.0-litre Euro 5 engines, with power outputs of 74, 101 and 148bhp, while an EU6 compliant 2.0-litre unit with 101bhp is also available from launch.
Each comes with a five or six-speed manual gearbox, while higher-powered versions can be specified with a DSG automatic gearbox, offering six or seven speeds depending on engine power output.
Every Caddy can be specified as ‘BMT’ BlueMotion Technology, which adds a start/stop system and battery regeneration and reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
A standalone BlueMotion variant also joins the range: with the EU6 101bhp engine and five-speed manual gearbox it can return official combined cycle fuel economy of 65.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 114g/km.
New safety and convenience systems offered with Caddy include Park Assist and a rear-view reversing camera, as well as High Beam Assist and Driver Alert systems.
Customers will also be able to choose extra safety measures from the options list, notably Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist and City Emergency Braking, – now familiar on the VW passenger car range, these systems monitor the space to the vehicle ahead and maintain a specified speed and distance to ensure safe stopping.
Cabin upgrades include new upholstery and switchgear, as well as enhanced stereo and infotainment systems. The standard five-inch touchscreen Colour Composition radio can be upgraded to Composition Media, or the Discover Navigation system.
The new Caddy is available in three trim levels – Startline, Trendline and Highline – and with short or Maxi wheelbases. The Maxi version adds 469mm to the short wheelbase’s 1,781mm and a load capacity of 4.2 cubic metres, compared to the 3.2 cubic metres of the shorter models.
The £13,500 price tag, which like all commercials excludes VAT and OTR charges, buys the C20 Startline short wheelbase model with the 2.0-litre diesel 75hp engine.
Standard equipment on entry-level models includes electric windows and heated and electrically adjustable wing mirrors, a five-inch touchscreen Composition Colour radio system with DAB+ and Bluetooth capability, a lockable glovebox, driver and front passenger front, side and curtain airbags, a new post-collision braking system and a seatbelt reminder.
Passenger versions of the Caddy will be announced in July.
