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VW Caddy's first UK drive
Page 10
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EN ROUTE TO Birmingham on the eve of the show. CM made a detour into the Leicestershire countryside for the first UK drive of the new Volkswagen Caddy range. Initially, only the 2-litre SDI model, with its 68hp PD unit injector engine will be available here, the 1.9-litre, 103hp TDI not arriving until late April.
At the European launch of the Caddy, we were impressed by the Polish-built product and hoped VW would be able to reflect the lower production costs in a competitive price.With an es-VAT cost of £9,650 for the SDI, with its standard spec including ABS and traction control, radio CD player and full height plastic mesh bulkhead.it seems to have managed just that.
The first impression sitting in the new Caddy is of the amount of space — enough to make you think the diet is working.'The cab is fully trimmed, and although the dash plastics are not as soft as they look, it's all to a high standard. Storage space is abundant.
On the road, the partly laden performance from the 68hp is not electrifying. but perfectly adequate. The only limitation seems to be the initial take-off, when you get the impression for a moment that you might be in third gear by mistake. Once underway, it bowls along nicely, helped by one of the best gear shifts on the market. Although never silent, engine noise is low enough to be drowned by the rear road noise. The £70 optional rubber load cover should help. Handling is sharp while the ride soaked up the worst that some indifferent country lanes could throw at it.
All told, VW looks to have another winner on its books. Our only significant criticism was that the driver's seat belt stalk was too long, leaving the buckle to rub against the driver's thigh.
• For show-goers' reaction to the new Caddy,see pages 12-13.