Volkswagen Caddy Sportline Van : COMMERCIAL BREAK

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Volkswagen is offering small van buyers a dash more style with its Caddy Sportline models. Jonathan Crouch checks them out

With an increasing number of owner-drivers populating the small van market, there's an increasing need for van makers to make their products stand out. To make them sporty. To make them desirable. Hence Volkswagen's Caddy Sportline models.

The recipe here is pretty simple. For a modest extra outlay, buyers of both Caddy and Caddy Maxi models can buy into an LCV that's altogether more eye-catching. So you get chrome side rails and front grilles, a lower front spoiler with integrated fog lights, a rear roof spoiler, body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and door handles, plus unique 17-inch six-spoke alloy wheels with a Sportline centre logo. The interior is a bit more special too, with the luxury of bespoke black Italian leather upholstery with red stitching, microperforated red centre panels and an embroidered Sportline logo, plus electric windows, `Climatic' air conditioning, a radio/CD and electrically operated and heated door mirrors. A six-speed gearbox and a top-of-the-range 140 PS, 2.0-litre TDI PD diesel engine delivers decent performance with the flexibility provided by 320Nm of torque from 1,800 to 2,500 rpm. The Caddy Sportline can sprint to 62 mph in 10.1 seconds and the Caddy Maxi Sportline in 10.5 seconds, both with a top speed of 116 mph. Both models are available in a choice of three paint colours - Tornado Red or optional Reflex Silver metallic and Diamond Black pearl effect paint - with basic retail prices (excluding VAT) starting from £17,000 for the Caddy Sportline and £18,280 for the larger Caddy Maxi Sportline. Otherwise, the package is exactly as you'd get on any other Caddy or Caddy Maxi van. If you're not familiar with the line-up, the Caddy Maxi offers an extra cubic metre of extra load space and 80kg of extra payload over its standard stablemate. Neat but unspectacular styling in the best Volkswagen traditions dominates the outside while the interior is similarly efficient with build quality that's as good as anything in the small van sector. The Caddy Maxi is 470mm longer than a normal Caddy van with 151mm of that accounted for by a longer rear overhang and 319mm squeezed into the wheelbase. It all makes for a vehicle of 4,875mm in length with a 4.2m3 load volume that's up 1m3 on the standard van. The maximum payload is increased too. You can take around 720kg in a Caddy and 800kg in a Caddy Maxi.

"For a modest extra outlay, buyers of both Caddy and Caddy Maxi models can buy into an LCV that's altogether more eye-catchingâ€¦"

On the move, there's the usual diesel rumble at start-up but once operating temperatures are achieved, the Caddy goes about its business in a reasonably hushed manner. The driving position is nice and high affording good viability and easy access. The dash-mounted gear shifter has a nice, positive feel and the braking performance inspires confidence. The Caddy isn't as enjoyable to hustle along as some of the other offerings in this sector but its suspension irons out the bumps well for an overall driving experience with high levels of comfort. The Caddy is kept in check by disc brakes on all four wheels controlled by the standard ABS system. There's traction control too. Not many small vans can offer that as standard but not many small vans have the option of 138bhp. The whole package rides on suspension based on that of the MkV Golf at the front but the rear set-up has been beefed-up to cope with the Caddy's more taxing load-lugging duties. The rigid rear axle is mounted on leaf springs, while there are anti-roll bars fore and aft to keep everything nice and rigid for more composed cornering. All Caddy Maxi models have twin sliding side doors and glazing rear doors with opaque glass. The also have a solid bulkhead which helps keep cabin noise down. Standard equipment includes remote central locking, a must when you've got six doors to think about, a driver's airbag and a CD stereo. There's also height, rake and reach adjustment for the driver's seat and rake and height adjustment on the steering wheel, so getting comfortable should be simple. Hop in behind the steering wheel: you'll see the cabin is typical Volkswagen and very similar to the Golf. Neat and unfussy with dark grey plastics prevailing on every surface. In passenger cars, this tried and tested VW decor occasionally comes in for criticism on the grounds that it's lacking in visual flair but it'd be rude to turn your nose up when you get an interior of this quality in a humble van. The layout is simple but effective, with the dials and buttons you need feeling solid and falling easily to hand. The extra weight that the Caddy carries over its competitors might not be obvious in the van's driving dynamics but it certainly manifests itself in the cab where there's an air of sturdiness that's uncommon in small LCVs. Storage provision is good too. The glovebox, dash-top trays and door pockets offer plenty of space for the tools of your trade but the long shelf above the windscreen may be less handy. Such arrangements are common in small vans but the presence of only a small lip along the leading edge always suggests they're angling to deposit their contents onto your head during sudden inclines or under hard acceleration. Paperwork and clothing won't be too much of a problem but, just for safety's sake, keep hammers, tins of paint and drinks flasks in the door pockets. Overall, we can see why self-employed plumbers, electricians, decorators and other who like an eye-catching daily commercial ride would like the idea of a Caddy Sportline. And if the sport bits and pieces draw extra attention to your company logo and `phone number on the side of your vehicle, then so much the better.

Facts At A Glance MANUFACTURER: Volkswagen MODEL: Caddy Sportline range BHP: 138bhp PAY
LOAD CAPACITY: 800kg [Maxi] LOAD VOLUME: 4.2m3 [Maxi] GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 2315-2350kg LENGTH: 4,875mm [Maxi] WIDTH: 1,794mm [Maxi] HEIGHT: 1,841mm [Maxi] October 27th 2008