With only a month remaining until the
all-new Caddy’s world debut, VW feels comfortable ditching the conventional
camouflage from its compact van. Mind you, that doesn’t mean the 2021 Caddy is
laying all its cards on the table already. The prototype you see in these
latest spy shots may not feature camouflage tape but its key design elements
are cleverly disguised.
Starting at the front, VW has applied a
fake upper grille and black tape on the bonnet’s lower corners in an attempt to
hide the real shape of the headlights. Still, the cutouts for the lamps are
clearly visible so only the inexperienced viewer will fall for that trick. The
cutouts match the shape of the headlights VW showed in the most recent official
renderings, which also revealed a slim upper grille with a chrome strip that
continues into the headlights. The front bumper is completely covered by a
black plastic cover but, in reality, it features a massive lower grille with
honeycomb cutouts.
On the sides, the black trim at the lower
end of the doors appears fake as well, and we’re not sure the door handles are
in final specification either. Another pretty obvious trick is the body-color
sticker applied on the third lateral windows. The sliding rear doors remain on
both sides, at least in this MPV passenger version. At the rear, the shape of
the vertical taillights is also disguised but a closer look reveals the cutouts
eating into the doors for a chunkier final design. Black and body-color sticker
is also used to hide the shape of the rear windows.
The all-new 2021 VW Caddy will switch to
the MQB platform, enabling it to use new tech including a 48-volt mild-hybrid
system, modern gasoline and diesel engines, as well as the latest safety and
infotainment systems. The lineup will include a standard-wheelbase Caddy family
MPV and long-wheelbase Caddy Cargo urban delivery van. There’s no official word
on the MPV model getting a LWB seven-passenger version and that may be because
the upcoming T7 Multivan could take over that role. We’ll learn more at the end
of February when VW will unveil the all-new Caddy.
