Volkswagen grows Caddy Maxi van range

Volkswagen has launched two new model variants in its Caddy Maxi commercial van range.

Designed to increase practicality and frugality – and to further cement the importer's place as market leader in the segment - the new five-seat Crewvan model features a rear bench seat, while the company's new 250 TDI Caddy Maxi packs plenty of BlueMotion technology to become the range's most miserly model yet.

Volkswagen led the compact van segment in 2012 with 1852 sales of the Caddy, giving it a whopping 55.9 per cent market share - streets ahead of its nearest rival, the Suzuki APV, which attracted 485 sales for a 14.6 per cent market share.

Other rivals in the category include the Holden Combo, Renault Kangoo, Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner.

The new Caddy Maxi Crewvan is priced from $29,490 and adds a second-row bench seat that is foldable and removable, making room for three rear-seat occupants.

Commanding a $1500 premium over regular models, Volkswagen says the new Crewvan represents a very attractive offer compared to current aftermarket conversions.

It has a maximum payload of 709kg and load length of 2.25 metres with the rear seats removed. Cargo space is 1.6 cubic metres with the rear bench seat in place, expanding to 4.1 metres with the seats folded away and even more with the seats removed.

As with all Caddy Maxi vans, the Crewvan comes standard with rear barn doors, though a roof-hinged tailgate is a no-cost option.

The front-wheel drive Caddy Maxi Crewvan is propelled by a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine that outputs 75kW/250Nm. Seven-speed DSG automatic and five-speed manual transmissions are available (the former a $3000 cost option) and both use the same amount of fuel, a claimed average of 5.9L/100km. CO2 emissions are likewise low at 155g/km.

Based on the updated MY13 Caddy Maxi Van, the Crewvan rides on 16-inch steel wheels to cope with the extra payload and adds windows to the sliding side doors, rubber flooring in the rear of the vehicle and drawers under the front seats.

The second new model variant in Volkswagen's compact van range is the Caddy Maxi Van 250 TDI with BlueMotion Technology, making it the most efficient van in VW's commercial range.

Powered by the same 1.6-litre 75kW/250Nm engine as the Crewvan, the BlueMotion model uses just 5.2L/100km by incorporating two major fuel saving technologies – automatic engine idle-stop and battery regeneration. In addition, CO2 emissions have been reduced to 136g/km.

Priced at $27,990, the five-speed manual van is touted by Volkswagen as one of the most fuel-efficient vans in its segment and is also the first Volkswagen commercial vehicle to offer BlueMotion technologies in Australia.

2013 VW Caddy Maxi van pricing:
Caddy Maxi Crewvan TDI250 manual - $29,490
Caddy Maxi Crewvan TDI250 DSG - $32,490
Caddy Maxi Van 250TDI BlueMotion manual - $27,990