Petrol versions of the Volkswagen Caddy are now available to order from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ 72-strong Van Centre network. Three petrol engines (a 1, 1.2 and 1.4-litre) will join the 1.6 and 2-litre diesels, although the 1.6-litre diesel will be withdrawn next year.
Petrol resurgence in vans
Diesel engines have received a lot of criticism over the past couple of year regarding their high nitrogen dioxide output, and many EU governments are starting to scrutinise them. In London, for example, an Ultra-Low Emission Zone has been proposed for 2020, where only Euro-6 diesel engines can enter.
The response from manufacturers has been to offer petrol engines in smaller vans, once again. Up until 2013, nearly every manufactured had withdrawn petrol offerings in commercial vehicles, but now more and more are becoming available.
At the launch of the fourth-generation Volkswagen Caddy in 2015, we announced that Volkswagen was planning on introducing petrol engines and they will be arriving in March 2016.
Performance
Power starts at 83bhp on the 1.2-litre, then 101bhp on the 1-litre and up to 124bhp on the 1.4-litre. Both the one and 1.2-litre are coupled to a five-speed manual transmission, and the 1.4-litre comes with a choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic.
These are TSI engines that are renowned for their fuel-economy, performance and lightweight design.
Customers should be aware, though, that despite the respectable power ratings, petrol engines aren’t as well-suited to heavy duty commercial work due to the lower torque levels. For more information, read Petrol versus Diesel in vans.
Prices and availability
Available in three trims (Startline, Trendline and Highline), the fourth generation Volkswagen Caddy was launched in 2015, and is the second best-selling name in the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle range behind the Transporter.
Prices start from £13,610 plus VAT for the 1.2-litre TSI 83bhp five-speed Startline model, and rise to £14,450 for the 1-litre 101bhp Startline and £15,810 for the 1.4-litre 124bhp Trendline (unavailable on Startline).
