Volkswagen revamps its commercial vehicle line-up for the local market
The launch of the Caddy Maxi, together with refreshed versions of the Caddy and Transporter, gives fleet and business owners exciting new options when buying a commercial vehicle.
And to make it an even sweeter deal, Volkswagen Singapore has also introduced class-leading warranty and service packages: All models now come with a 5 year/200,000 km (whichever comes first) warranty and, for the launch period, free servicing for up to 5 years and 100,000 km.
There is also the option to purchase attractively-priced servicing packages in advance, if their mileage is expected to exceed 100,000 km in 5 years; these packages are available from $922. Also, all models require a visit to the workshop for servicing only every 20,000 km; this drastically reduces running costs in the long term.
A local favourite, the Caddy now comes at a lower price. Its cargo area offers enough room for small and short transportation tasks, and can be accessed both from the front and sides of the vehicle. Two different sized rear hinged doors with asymmetric division allow a cargo height of 1,244 mm. The maximum load width is 1,552 mm and the width between wheel housings is 1,185 mm. The 1,781 mm long and completely level cargo floor offers space for large pallets. The Caddy also has a payload of 755 kg.
Buyers can choose from two different 1.6 TDI engines: a 74 bhp, 225 Nm version mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and a 101 bhp, 250 Nm version which comes standard with a 7-speed DSG.
The Caddy Maxi panel van, on the other hand, has an 830 kg payload and a stowage compartment volume of 4,200-litres, designed specifically for all tradesmen, courier services and service providers that require a very high load capacity. Safety wise, ABS and electronic stability programme (ESP) comes standard. Power comes courtesy of a 1.6 TDI engine, and mated to a 7-speed DSG whips out 101 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. It is also available with a 5-speed manual transmission.
For businesses requiring a large load area and generous payload, the Transporter is perfectly suited for such tasks. It is now being offered in a choice of three maximum gross weight capacities. The entry level Transporter is the 2.6-tonne standard wheelbase model, powered by an 84 bhp version of the 2.0 TDI engine; this is offered only with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
A higher output 2.0 TDI with 139 bhp and 340 Nm of torque is fitted in other Transporter models. There is a choice of standard wheelbase in (3.0-tonne) and long wheelbase (3.2-tonne) models, both with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG.
Like the Caddy and Caddy Maxi, the Transporter is fitted with ESP as standard, making it the only van in its class to have this feature.