Volkswagen has set a new benchmark in Australia’s growing compact delivery van market with the launch of the all-new Caddy.

Consider the facts:

• Caddy offers class-leading 3.2 cubic metres of load space, eclipsing the compact vans and rivaling bigger full-size vans
• Caddy is the comparable delivery van with the option of a diesel engine (1.9-litre turbo diesel with 77kW of power)
• Caddy raises the safety bar with standard ABS anti-lock brakes and EDTC traction control.

Based on the platform of Volkswagen’s all-new fifth generation Golf, the Caddy provides a choice of 1.6-litre petrol or 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engines, a massive 750kgs of carrying capacity, both side and rear doors for easy loading and a comfortable, ergonomic interior.

Best of all, Caddy comes with all of Volkswagen’s renown European design and production quality.

Styling of the front end shows Caddy’s links to the all-new Volkswagen Golf, but the large surface grille and grey plastic bumper endow its own distinctive appearance.

Inside, Caddy also shows its Golf lineage with passenger car-like comfort and generous cockpit space. As well, there is a range of features designed to make life just a little easier for couriers and other delivery van customers – a thoughtful example being the roof-mounted storage bin perfectly sized to accommodate clipboards and the other sorts of paperwork normally carried by small van drivers.

Factory-fitted air-conditioning is standard across the range, along with seat belt pre-tensioners, CD sound system and height-adjustable front seats which feature additional storage compartments underneath.

Front independent suspension is straight from the all-new fifth generation Golf. Caddy also gains the new electro-mechanical power steering that has received so much praise with the Golf – turning circle is a mere 11.1 metres.

Volkswagen Commercial vehicles designed a two-leaf-spring rear suspension especially for the Caddy in response to the variable payloads that are the ‘MO’ of all delivery vans. Progressive damping is achieved by load-dependent dampers that change their characteristics in response to the compressed path.

Everywhere you look, Caddy shows the experience of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – the company has been manufacturing vans since 1948 – with features tailor-made for delivery van operators.

For example the stylish, modern design offers lots of smooth space on the sides for the easy application of creative and impactful signwriting, the doors do not intrude into the cargo area which provides six foldaway lashing eyes to secure load of all shapes and sizes.

At the rear, two different size (asymmetrically-split) large double-wing doors provide a loading height of 1137mm. The doors can be ordered with or without windows and can be opened to 180 degrees for quick and easy loading (a vital consideration for operators of these vehicles who stop frequently).

The standard sliding door on the left side enables easy access. But if that’s not enough, Caddy can be ordered with an optional second sliding door on the right side.

Totally flat, the cargo compartment has is flat and trim covers the inside of the cargo area up to window line – providing protection for the outer body skin.

Volkswagen launches the Caddy into a market segment that is growing but has not until now offered a diesel powerplant.

Caddy provides the 1.9-litre direct injection turbo-diesel (TDI) engine that is also available with the Golf. With 77kW, it is the most powerful of Caddy’s three engines and with its healthy maximum torque of 250Nm available from as low as 1,900 rpm, it is a joy to drive in the city environments that are normal for these sorts of vehicles.

Average fuel consumption of the 1.9TDI is as low as 6.1 litres per 100 kms giving a theoretical range of almost 1,000 kms from the 60 litre fuel tank.

Similarly, Caddy’s 1.6-litre petrol engine also comes from the Golf. This lively engine has four valves per cylinder, delivers 75kW at 5,600 rpm and maximum torque of 148Nm at 3800 rpm. Zero to 100km/h takes only 13.7 seconds.

Standard transmission is a five-speed manual.

According to Volkswagen Group Australia’s Managing Director, Mr Peter Nochar, the addition of the Caddy to Volkswagen’s commercial vehicles portfolio provides the company with a complete range Caddy through Transporter and LT35 to the large-size LT46.

“Growing the commercial vehicles business has always been one of the key planks of Volkswagen’s strategy in Australia and we have chosen to wait until the best all-new products were available to slot them into the lineup,” Mr Nochar said. “We elected to delay the introduction of Caddy until this all-new model - based on the fifth generation Golf - was launched; with the Caddy now on sale, we have a full range of vans from small to large, in Australia to suit the needs of any commercial vehicles customer.”