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Volkswagen's Caddy pickup loses out in the handling and payload stakes, but it is a solid vehicle offering reasonable performance and fuel economy, a competitive price, and a useful range of loadbed covers.
• Introduced into this country two years ago, the Volkswagen Caddy pick-up is based on the old-shape VW Golf Mark 1 and is assembled in Yugoslavia by the
-VW/Yugoslav-government-owned TAS,
before a rail journey back to Gemiany for pre-delivery checks.
It has a stretched wheelbase and increased overall length; the body is reinforced in places, and the clutch, suspension, and front brake discs have all been beefed up.
With a payload of only half a tonne, the Caddy is somewhat out of step with the trend towards one-tonne pickups. VW says that it "doesn't consider it is comparable (with other one tonne pickups), and payload is not a factor in purchasing a Caddy." Nonetheless, Caddy sales are quite low. In 1985 total sales were 1,863 units, and in 1986 that figure was up to 1,993 units. Although this represents 51.9% of the 1986 half-tonne pickup market, when the 8,087 units in the one tonne market are added, the Caddy's share drops to only 16.7%.
BEDOUIN TIENT
The Caddy is available with the bare pickup body, or a choice of three coverings for the load bed. The Truckman top offers a 2.5m3 load volume for .g699 plus VAT, while the Walkers Hi-line top has 4m3 for 2847 plus VAT. Then there is a tilt-and-bows frame and canvas cover which has a load volume of 2.95m3 for just £242 plus VAT — although there are some disadvantages in carrying round the pickup equivalent of a Bedouin tent. The main problem is the visibility to the rear. The rear-view mirror is obscured by the load bed cover and the side mirrors do not provide a sufficient field of vision for city manoeuvring or motorway overtaking.
The tilt doesn't flap too much in urban conditions, but on the motorway, it springs in and out with a loud snapping sound that can be very disconcerting.
The finish, however, is well executed with a tough waterproof finish to the tilt, strong hoops of the bows, and secure tongue and eyes that tie the rear flap and tilt to the body.
The rest of the vehicle has not changed since we tested it last year (CM, January 11, 1986). The 1.6 litre 40kW IDI diesel engine gives the vehicle a reasonable cruising capability, and the fuel consumption when we tested it was 7.151it/100km (39.5mpg).
Handling on the independent front and rigid beam rear suspension is competent at low speeds, although fast cornering results in massive understeer which demands more and more lock to counteract its effects. The brakes are very soft and need a lot of effort to get the desired effect, although they do stop the vehicle quickly.
At a price of E5,473 plus VAT, the Caddy diesel bow and tilt seems to offer reasonable value for money provided the owner does not need more than a halftonne payload.
It does not inspire great praise in any department, but it is adequate for the Jo of cheaply and safely transporting per. sonnel and their equipment to a place of " work.
D by Andrew English