Following on from the 1.5 million worldwide sales over 11 years of the third generation of the Volkswagen Caddy, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has unveiled the fourth-generation with high expectations of similar results.
The new Caddy will be launched in Germany at the end of June with full UK specifications and release date to be announced later, but for now we will try and digest what we actually know about the updated Caddy.
Updated means, in this case, the use of state-of-the-art technology when it comes to the drive systems of the new Caddy, with new EU6 engines providing improved efficiency, as Dr. Eckhard Scholz, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, explains: “With its low fuel consumption of less than four litres per 100 kilometres (70+ mpg), the new Caddy sets a new standard.”
SAFETY
With the fourth-generation Caddy, considering the amount of new safety technology that is now available since the launch of the previous version, a high level of safety features is not only expected but very much evident.
“To achieve [the high level of safety], we have incorporated a large number of driver assistance systems, which are unmatched in the urban delivery van segment”, said Hans-Joachim Rothenpieler, Member of the Board for Technical Development of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
A heated windscreen is optional, as is, for the first time ever on the Volkswagen Caddy, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) which, when used in conjunction with DSG, can slow the vehicle down to a complete stop in certain situations such as queues or traffic jam situations.
Also available as an option is a reversing camera and Park Assist - obviously a useful addition for the working company that, if previous Caddy use continues as it has done before, usually involves a type of courier work and parallel parking.
DESIGN
It's hard to change things when maybe they don't need it; but a fresh look at the Caddy as brought in some sharper design folds and more clarified and clearly defined surfaces with a re-designed front and newly distinctive rear - topped off with new-look front and rear lights.
The pictures don't lie - and the specification will certainly be an interesting one once it is fully released.