Originally Posted by VW

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is introducing a new generation of the top-selling Caddy. The compact van with its practical rear sliding door system has been enhanced in every area. Six new TDI and TSI engines with up to 21% lower fuel consumption, a completely restructured model range, a more precise, fresh front design in the style of the new Amarok and current T5 generation (Transporter, Multivan etc.) and an upgraded interior, now with a removable second row of seats, plus further reduced maintenance costs make the new Caddy one of the most innovative urban delivery vehicles and compact vans available. Globally the third generation Caddy sold around 800,000 units within just 6 years (2004 to 2009). The new Caddy now promises a dynamic continuation of this success story.

The new Caddy will be the first urban delivery vehicle and compact van in this class to be equipped as standard with ESP on all models. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is thus rigorously pursuing its overriding safety strategy of protecting driver and passengers in the best way possible. The new Caddy will also be the only vehicle in this market segment available with the option of an efficient 6 or 7-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG) and Hill-Start Assist. Naturally, the new generation of this best-selling vehicle is once again available with an extended wheelbase (Maxi) and - uniquely in this market segment - with (4MOTION) 4-wheel drive. 4MOTION being available for the Caddy and Caddy Maxi.

For the first time the second row of seats is completely removable on all models. For the 5-seater Caddy this produces - loaded to the roof - a cargo capacity of up to 3,030 litres; for the Caddy Maxi the figure is 3,880 litres. Of interest to tradesmen and service providers will be the fact that if the Caddy Maxi is fitted with the Flexi-Seat Plus pack, the cargo space (on the front-seat passenger's side) is made over 3 metres longer and cargo capacity increases to a best-in-class 4.7m3. The new Caddy can also be ordered as an option with a bench-style third seating row (standard in the Caddy Maxi Trendline and Comfortline) and as such can seat up to seven people.

Six new high-tech engines: The Caddy's new petrol and diesel engines deliver extreme efficiency (all complying with the Euro 5 emission limits). All of them are completely new to the range and equipped with turbocharging and direct fuel injection.

Turbo diesel engines: The turbocharged four-valve (TDI) diesel engines deliver 55 kW / 75 PS, 75 kW / 102 PS, 81 kW / 110 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS respectively. All of the TDIs now work with very quiet and efficient common rail direct injection. All TDIs are also linked as standard to a diesel particulate filter. The 102 PS TDI can be ordered as an option with a 7-speed DSG. For the more powerful 140 PS TDI there is also a specially designed 6-speed DSG available. The 81 kW TDI is exclusively available as a 4MOTION model with four-wheel drive.

BlueMotion: The most fuel-efficient model in the range is now the new Caddy 1.6 TDI with BlueMotion Technology (75 kW / 102 PS). Average consumption: 4.9 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres (panel van). That equates to a CO2 emission figure of no more than 129 g/km and fuel consumption of 0.6 litres less than the already frugal outgoing model with BlueMotion Technology. This new fuel consumption figure produces a range of 1,176 kilometres on one tank. Fuel costs thus go down to just €6.35 per 100 kilometres (based on €1.245 per litre of diesel, as in May 2010 in Germany).
Alternatively the 75 PS TDI can also be ordered as a BlueMotion Technology variant. Every Caddy equipped with BlueMotion Technology has a Start/Stop system and an automatic battery regeneration system for utilising the energy that would otherwise be lost during braking. With this system, whenever the driver lifts his or her foot from the accelerator or concertedly brakes, the generator's voltage gets increased and is used to top up the battery. That reduces the load on the engine and thus lowers consumption.

Petrol engines: Two new TSI petrol engines are being used in the Caddy. Technical features of both high-tech engines include a turbocharger and direct fuel injection. The extremely fuel-efficient four cylinder engines develop 63 kW / 86 PS and 77 kW / 105 PS respectively from a cubic capacity of 1.2 litres. Just how efficient the engines are is shown, for example, by the 105-PS version with an average fuel consumption of only 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres (figures for the Caddy panel van; equivalent to 154 g/km CO2). Compared to the outgoing model consumption has thus been reduced by 1.6 litres or, as mentioned above, 21 percent. Another frugal and extremely efficient petrol engine for the Caddy and Caddy Maxi is the natural gas version carried over from the previous generation, the 2.0 EcoFuel (CNG), which delivers 80 kW / 109 PS.

Four new model lines: The Caddy model range has also been reconfigured. This relates both to a standard upgrade of equipment levels, to new interior materials, steering wheels and other equipment details as well as a restructuring of the model lines. The Caddy remains available as panel and ‘kombi' variants, which at around 70% make up the lion's share of the sales volume (panel van with no rear side windows specifically for tradesmen and service providers). For customers with more discerning demands in terms of specification, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has completely reorganised the equipment levels. Here the three available model lines are now the Startline, Trendline and Comfortline. The Trendline version replaces the Caddy Life and the top Comfortline version supersedes the successful special ‘Style' model. The Startline has been newly integrated as an entry-level model. As the new top model there will also be the Comfortline Edition (formerly the Style Edition), with which Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will again be offering a very exclusive version of the Caddy. Also still included in the range is the popular camper van, the Tramper (as both Caddy and Caddy Maxi).

New features: Standard on all versions: new daytime running lights. Optional extras on the new range include adaptive cornering lights (integrated into the front fog lights), roof rack (standard on the Comfortline) and the newly designed RNS 315 radio/navigation system.

Prices for the respective models of the new Caddy - after adjusting for differences in equipment options - are slightly below the levels of the previous generation, starting at €13,595 for the panel van and €14,205 for the Startline, in each case with a 63 kW TSI engine and excluding VAT. The launch of the new Caddy begins at the end of September in Germany and the vehicle will go on sale in almost every other country shortly after that. Dealers in Germany are taking initial orders now.