Volkswagen has announced that its fifth-generation Caddy will be available from December in standard and Maxi wheelbases, with prices starting at £17,800.
The new Caddy, which has been comprehensively redesigned, offers increased space, efficient engine options, additional driver assistance systems and a new digital cockpit and infotainment system.
Initially, the Caddy will have two wheelbase options – standard and Maxi – with three trim levels. The panel van variant will now be known as the Caddy Cargo, and the passenger carrying versions as the Caddy.
The standard Caddy measures 4,500mm in length, an increase of 93mm over the previous model. The wheelbase has also grown by 73mm to 2,755mm.
The load space width is up 57mm to 1,613mm with the distance between the wheelarches increasing by 60mm to 1,230mm and the rear opening by 51mm to 1,234mm. The additional size means a Euro pallet can now be carried sideways in the back of the cargo space. The storage capacity of the standard wheelbase Caddy is 3.1m3 (as per the SAE V6 standard).
Meanwhile the Caddy Maxi has 3.7 m3 of space and a 215mm longer wheelbase, offering enough room for up to two Euro pallets.
Five driver assistance systems are new to the fifth-generation Caddy, including Travel Assist, which delivers assisted driving across the full speed range, while Trailer Assist is available on Caddy for the first time.
Three diesel and one petrol engine option are available: the 2.0 TDI offers outputs of 75, 102 and 122 PS, with a new twin dosing system providing a double dose of AdBlue to help significantly reduce nitrogen oxide emission levels compared to the previous model.
The 1.5 TSI petrol option produces 114 PS and is equipped with Active Cylinder Technology as standard, which temporarily deactivates two of the four cylinders at light engine loads to save fuel.
Volkswagen say that fuel consumption has been reduced by up to 10% on the previous generation.
The 75 PS and 102 PS models have a 6-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive as standard, while the 2.0 TDI 122 PS and 1.5 TSI 114 PS have the option of a seven-speed DSG. 4MOTION four-wheel drive is available on 2.0 TDI 122 PS variants.
Volkswagen has also overhauled the Caddy’s cabin, with the dashboard and controls resdesigned and a digital cockpit available as an option.
All models get a touchscreen infotainment system, from 6.5 inches in entry models to 10 inches on range-topping versions. For the first time, the Caddy is equipped with an ‘always connected’, integrated eSIM, which allows infotainment systems to be prepared to access mobile online services.
The interior also gets new switchgear including electronic handbrake with auto hold function, lighting and audio controls. Electric windows, height adjustable-driving seat and a new multi-function steering wheel are also standard across the range.
Caddy Cargo prices range from £17,800 for the entry-level 1.5 TSI 114 PS model to £26,850 for the 2.0 TDI 122 PS 4MOTION Maxi version.
Mid-level models, which start at £19,275, introduce electronically controlled air conditioning system, body coloured bumpers and rear parking sensors, along with power adjustable lumbar support for the driver’s seat and leather multi-function steering wheel.
Range-topping Caddy Cargo models start at £22,075, and include Discover Media satellite navigation, front and rear parking sensors, anti-theft alarm system, power folding exterior mirrors, LED rear taillights and alloy wheels.
Order books open in December, with first UK deliveries expected at the end of Q1 2021.
