Friday saw the launch of the new range of Volkswagen commercial vehicles in the shape of the 4th generation Caddy and 6th generation Transporter. These two iconic vans will be on show to the public for the first time, alongside the latest Caddy Life range, at the 2015 National Ploughing Championships in Co. Laois commencing Tuesday Sep 22nd.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles operate as a totally separate entity to Volkswagen Passenger cars setting themselves high targets for the 2016 market. New generations, new benchmarks is the ethos behind the new sales drive and with a model range of new commercial vehicles with sharper exterior designs and the most refined interiors to date, the new range really do feel like a new benchmark. On the day, the full new range of commercials greeted us at Volkswagen HQ in Liffey Valley Dublin. The models include the Volkswagen Caddy, Caddy Life, Caddy Life Maxi, Caravelle, Tranporter T6 and Amarok pick up. Also available in the range is the Volkswagen California Camper van which will be on show in Ireland for the first time at this year’s Ploughing Championships.
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The most significant models for the group however are the Caddy and the Transporter representing the bulk of the sales. While they are firmly setting their sights on new business, it is their existing customer base and their after sales service that is core to Volkswagens Commercial vehicles service. It is from listening to these customers that Volkswagen have improved this latest range. While they have large contracts with companies like the ESB, Volkswagen were quick to emphasise the importance of small enterprise to their commercial business. Owner operators make up the core of this segment and is one of the many reasons, the Caddy and Transport are now available in Highline specification. This type of business operator demanded a van that not only serves their commercial purposes but is also comfortable to work with offering all of the refinements and comforts of a car. The robust redesigned interior in ‘Highline’ specification now features a leather multi-function steering wheel, Discover media Sat Nav, heated windscreen, daytime running lights, automatic driving light control, automatic dimming rear view mirror with rain sensor, front and rear parking sensors and front fogs with cornering lights.
All models now come with the option of an extended warranty for the 4th and 5th years of ownership complete with a range of service plans specific to each model. A service which Volkswagen demonstrated on the day is key to their success, with the outgoing Transporter T5 being the number one selling van in its segment for 2015.
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We got the opportunity to drive the new Transporter T6 Highline from Dublin to Volkswagen’s stand at the ploughing championships in Ratheniska Co. Laois. Our test model was the 2.0 TDI 140hp with 6-speed transmission and we even got the opportunity to fully load it before we set off to get a real impression of how the van would perform. The 2.0 TDI engine is very refined and pulled very convincingly, with any exterior noise being generated by the tires depending on the condition of the road surface. It felt planted at all times and cruised well on the motorway. As a passenger, the cabin is a nice place to be. The seats are comfortable and ergonomics are good. There is endless amounts of storage compartments, like in the T5, located in the dashboard and in the roofline while the use of quality plastics and contrasting Piano gloss around the infotainment system make it feel more like a passenger car.
On our returning journey, we got the opportunity to test the Caddy Life Maxi, a range which Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles hope to double their sales in 2016. Our test model was the 102hp 2.0 TDI entry model in ‘Trendline’ spec. The Maxi is a 7 seat model while the Caddy Life is the 5 seat option. It has a huge amount of room for passengers, but driving it didn’t feel that big. It was very easy to drive, but the 102hp lacked grunt when passed third gear leaving fourth and fifth feeling quite breathless. That said is cruised brilliantly and was composed and comfortable at all times.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be displaying their full range at this this year’s 84th National Ploughing Championships from Tuesday 22nd to Thursday 24th of September. There is also some pretty cool stuff on the stand too including a fully decked out Dakar Amarok complete with Dakar bike mounted on the rear cab and the funky California camper van.
Caddy 4 ranging from:
1.6 PV TDI 75hp - €13,606 ex vat
2.0 PVM TDI 140hp - €19,590 ex vat
Transporter T6 ranging from:
2.0 PVS TDI 84hp Trendline - €19,997 ex vat
2.0 PVL TDI 180hp Highline - €31,501 ex vat (2.0 Bi-TDI 4-Motion DSG)
Caravelle ranging from:
2.0 CVS TDI 102hp Comfortline - €42,453 ex vat
2.0 CV TDI 204hp Highline - €67,970 ex vat (2.0 Bi-TDI 4-Motion DSG)
California ranging from:
2.0 TDI T6 Cali Coast 102hp - €40,266 ex vat
2.0 TDI T6 Ocean 201hp - €58,014 ex vat (2.0 Bi-TDI 4-Motion DSG)
@briankellettt
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