ON TEST: VW CADDY CARGO
Caddy Cargo is a car-like treat for the delivery team Andrew Walker is smitten by the small Volkswagen load-lugger’s driver appeal The Caddy Cargo is the first Volkswagen van to be based on the MQB platform that underpins most of the company’s cars. This makes it much more fun to drive than previous Caddys and it now features the same interior as the VW car range, too. Improvements don’t stop there either. The new model also features new engines, new trim, improved suspension and improved tech and safety. There’s also much improved cabin quality and a more modern exterior. Engines Despite the clamour for electric vans, VW won’t be electrifying the Caddy and instead we will have to wait for an electric ID Buzz Cargo,
42 | October 2021 | Company Car & Van
which will be built on an all-electric platform. So you have a choice of three 2.0 TDI turbo diesels, offering 75hp, 102 hp or 122hp plus a 1.5 TSI turbo petrol producing 114hp. All versions use AdBlue, with the Caddy’s system also featuring something called ‘twin dosing’ to reduce emissions even further. Sizes and payload The Caddy Cargo comes in two sizes: standard short-wheelbase (SWB) and Maxi long-wheelbase (LWB). Both feature lower loading floors and wider real wheel arches than were offered on the previous model. It means that Euro pallets can now be loaded into the cargo area sideways, with two Euro pallets fitting side by side. Most models have a 1,500 kg braked towing capacity, with the 75hp diesel and 114hp petrol version limited to 1,400kg. The un-braked towing limit is 750kg. Caddy Cargo is 93mm longer then the
previous version, at 4,500mm long. The wheelbase is also up by 73mm to 2,755mm. The van is 62mm wider than before at 1,855mm, excluding the door mirrors, and is 5mm lower at 1,818mm than the previous models height. Outside dimensions on the new Caddy Maxi has reduced compared to the previous model, so maximum loading length has fallen from 2,249mm to 2,150mm. All Caddy Cargos come with a fixed bulkhead and six load-lashing points. SWB models come with a single sliding side door on the passenger side while Maxi models come with two on either side of the van. Twin opening rear doors are a given and the Caddy’s doors open extra wide, too. In a change from the previous model, the Caddy 5 comes with rear doors that don’t have windows. You can still get glazed doors or a tailgate if you want these, however. There are three trim levels: Commerce, Commerce Plus and Commerce Pro. Entry
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