Volkswagen’s smallest van will get a big engine, safety, and technology upgrade in the second half of 2021.
Unlike the current petrol-only line-up, the new 2021 Caddy will get a range of Volkswagen’s latest Euro 6-compliant turbo-diesel engines at launch. Petrol engines will follow later in 2021.
In Europe, the Caddy is offered with nine different powertrains: five 2.0-litre diesel options and two 1.5-litre petrol options, along with natural gas and hybrid options.
The whole range can be matched with six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmissions, and with a choice of front- and all-wheel drive.
Although the final engine range hasn’t been confirmed, CarExpert expects multiple diesel options to feature, including a high-output engine for delivery drivers in a hurry.
Three models will be available locally, starting with the Caddy Cargo van, extending to the Caddy Crewvan, and finishing with the Caddy People Mover.
Built on the same MQB platform as the latest Volkswagen Golf, the Caddy has grown to allow 3.1 cubic metres of space in standard wheelbase guise and 3.7 in long-wheelbase trim.
Volkswagen says the rear doors open 51mm wider and the Caddy Maxi has sliding doors that open 135mm wider than previously. It’ll also swallow two Euro pallets.
The jump to the latest MQB platform has also allowed Volkswagen to fit the Caddy with a full range of active safety systems.
Rear cross-traffic alert, emergency assist, blind-spot monitoring, semi-autonomous highway driving assist, and trailer assist are all new for 2021, joining existing kit such as autonomous emergency braking and a rear-view camera.
The interior will be available with either an 8.25- or 10.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with an optional digital driver display.
Volkswagen has sold 1745 examples of the Caddy to date in 2020, a decline of 112 on the same point in 2019.
It’s comfortably Volkswagen’s best-selling van/people mover, ahead of the Crafter with 1144 sales and Transporter with 501.
