Volkswagen's New Caddy Now Available With TDI PD Power

Volkswagen’s new Caddy van, launched in the UK on 15 March, is now available with a powerful and advanced Pumpe Düse (or unit injector) TDI diesel engine. The new model has a basic recommended retail price of £10,550, ex VAT.

The turbocharged 1.9 TDI PD produces 104 PS at 4000 rpm and a useful 184 lbs ft (250 Nm) of torque at only 1900 rpm. This abundance of torque at low engine speeds results in flexible driving characteristics, and hence fewer gearchanges.

The new engine joins the 2.0 SDI in the new Caddy range, a power plant also new to the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range. Both diesels use Volkswagen’s innovative PD technology – a clear advantage over competitors’ engines.

The Pumpe Düse system features a separate unit injector for each cylinder pressurised directly from its own cam on the camshaft. This contrasts with common rail systems, which use one pump for the common rail, which then feeds all injectors at high pressure. The advantage of the PD system is superior injection pressure – up to 2050 bars compared with around 1600 bar for the best common rail systems.

Higher injection pressures result in finer atomisation of the fuel within the cylinder, leading to class-leading thermal efficiency of up to 43 per cent, plus high torque at low engine speeds – attributes that will be appreciated by driver and operator alike.

The new Caddy van range starts with the 2.0 SDI at £9,650 (basic RRP ex VAT), with passenger-carrying versions set for launch in early summer. These will include the Caddy shuttle, designed for commercial applications, and the Caddy Life, which is aimed at the private buyer. Both can be ordered with either five or seven seats, and with a second sliding side door to complement the standard single version.

The new Caddy deserves its tag as ‘The Big Little Van’, with class-leading load space of up to 3.2 cubic metres, a capacious payload of up to 819 kg and the ability to tow up to 1,500 kg – more than any other vehicle in its class. Like all other Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, ABS is fitted as standard.

All new Caddys bought from a Volkswagen Van Centre come with a three year, 100,000 mile warranty, 12 years of body protection warranty and three years of roadside assistance. The Volkswagen Van Centre network is dedicated solely to the needs of van users, offering the highest levels of service and support.