Volkswagen’s Commercial Vehicles division
said it would unveil the all-new Caddy compact van/MPV towards the end of this
month and given it’s February 20 today, here it is in the first official
photos. The images reveal the passenger version of the new VW Caddy, which
adopts evolutionary styling that should make it easily recognizable on European
roads. At the front, we can spot new headlights (available as LEDs) framing a
slim upper grille featuring VW’s new corporate logo at its center.
Expect to see a similar arrangement on the
upcoming T7 family. There’s also a more generous lower grille occupying most of
the redesigned front bumper and featuring a honeycomb mesh that’s only
perforated in the middle. At the rear, the slim LED taillights are longer than
before, reaching up all the way to the roof. The new Caddy also gains 18-inch
alloys, available as an option for the first time. Depending on the variant,
the Caddy will offer a large tailgate or two doors at the back, as well as one
or two sliding rear side doors. Electric closing aids for the tailgate and
sliding doors will be available.
While we can’t really tell from these
photos, the proportions are slightly changed compared to the outgoing model,
with the new Caddy featuring a flatter bonnet, more raked windscreen, and
longer rear section. The updates make the compact van look more modern and
grown-up, as well as more aerodynamic, as the drag coefficient drops from 0.33
to 0.30. The VW Caddy’s coming of age is
obvious under the skin. The MQB platform gives the compact van access to
various petrol and diesel powertrains from the Golf lineup. The TDI units with
outputs ranging from 75 PS to 122 PS are said to be “among the
cleanest diesel engines in the world” thanks to twin dosing (two SCR catalytic
converters with double AdBlue injection) that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions.
The Caddy will also be available with a
TSI turbocharged petrol unit rated at 116 PS (114 HP) and a supercharged TGI
natural gas engine with an unspecified output. All engines comply with the 2021
Euro 6 emissions standards and feature particulate filters. VW says fuel
consumption drops by up to 12 percent compared to the previous-generation
model. Nothing is said about the rumored 48-volt mild-hybrid variants or
all-electric iteration which could come later courtesy of ABT Sportsline.
Since we’re still talking about a
workhorse (at least in Caddy Cargo guise), the new model will feature a new
twist-beam axle with springs to handle higher payloads. This will replace the
previous model’s rigid axle with leaf suspension. VW promises more space for
both passengers and cargo, with the Caddy Maxi offering enough room for two
Euro pallets. The transition to the modular platform will enable the Caddy to
gain new driver assistance and infotainment systems. There are 19 available
assistance systems, six of which are new. Those include Travel Assist adaptive
cruise control with stop & go, Trailer Assist, and Side Assist with Rear
Traffic Alert.
As for the multimedia interfaces, VW they
are available in sizes ranging from 6.5 inches to 10 inches, with the Digital
Cockpit also offered as an option. The dashboard is fully redesigned and
includes a new multifunction steering wheel, new shifter for the automatic
transmission, ergonomic seats, and a ‘Light & Sight’ cluster of buttons to
the left of the steering wheel. Keyless Access is also available for the first
time.
The all-new VW Caddy will launch later
this year as a Cargo (panel van with enclosed superstructure), an estate (with
passenger compartment windows) and MPV passenger car variant. It will offer
three trim levels (Caddy, Life and Style), with all of them said to pack more
equipment than their corresponding predecessors.
