Volkswagen Unveils New Caddy MPV

Volkswagen has unveiled the first details of the new Caddy Life, which is set to go on sale in the UK this summer. Revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, the Caddy Life is a highly versatile multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) based on the all-new Caddy van which went on sale in the UK on Monday.

Competing with vehicles such as the Citroen Berlingo Multispace and Renault Kangoo, the Caddy Life is notable in the sector for offering the option of two extra seats over the standard five. This ability to transport up to seven people is unusual in this sector of the market – as are the Caddy’s optional rear wing doors for easy access in tight spaces. The vehicle also features twin side sliding doors with sliding windows.

With a length of over 4.40 metres, the Caddy Life is larger than its direct competitors, with a spacious interior that can offer a maximum luggage capacity of 2239 litres. The standard rear triple bench seat can be partially folded, fully-folded or folded/tipped, while the optional rearmost double bench seat can be removed.

The design of the interior reflects Volkswagen’s high quality values, with an appearance similar to other Volkswagen passenger cars such as the new Golf and Touran. With standard height adjustment for the driver’s seat and height/reach adjustment for the steering wheel, comfort is a high priority.

As expected with this type of practical vehicle, the Caddy Life has interior stowage areas in abundance. Examples of this include a drawer under the driver’s seat, a large storage module above the windscreen, plentiful cup holders and front door bins large enough to accommodate one-litre bottles.

The Caddy Life is far from being a sparsely-appointed, utilitarian vehicle. It has many of the comforts expected of a new family vehicle such as a CD player and remote central locking, and particularly on the options list where features such as climate control, heated seats, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) and satellite navigation are available.

Four engine options have been announced for the Caddy Life, with the UK range to be confirmed nearer the model’s launch. These include two petrols – a 1.4-litre

75 PS and 1.6-litre 102 PS – plus two ‘Pumpe Duse’ (high-pressure unit injector) diesels. These consist of a 2.0-litre SDI with 69 PS and a turbocharged 1.9-litre TDI with 104 PS.

Pricing and specification details will be announced closer to the Caddy Life’s UK launch this summer.