Test Drive Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Minivan since 2007 Minivan

City messenger

Great thing Unification. Thanks to her, the Volkswagen concern seriously saved when the new Caddy model is released. Unlike the old, it is based not on the nodes and the POLO units, but on the larger Golf V platform. In addition, it has parts from the minivan of Touran in its design. The degree of unification exceeds 50%.

 

In such conditions it is appropriate to ask: what is the individuality of the new van? To speak in a nutshell, first of all, it is expressed in the body and concept of application. And not only. We are not talking about a simple design change and product correction. The appearance of a new delivered van capricious manufacturer with all wishes you can not call. The European market has long been waiting for the appearance of the Caddy successor, who has a year from the year a list of direct and indirect competitors. But the fact is that the market for such cars has increased directly in proportion to the growth of small and medium-sized businesses.
 
We gave a detailed description of the novelty in the March issue of the magazine (see wheels No. 77), and now the time to get to know her face to face and add the most characteristic and important strokes to the portrait.
 
Keyword when characterizing the new Caddy practicality. It seems that he was done exactly by order of a scrupulous entrepreneur who knows the price of every euro. Gray bumpers and exterior rearview mirrors suggest that the owner of Caddy will not really worry about the inevitable scratches and small mechanical damage as a result of parking for sound. Hence the plastic plugs in the center of each wheel: the bolts are closed from dirt and moisture, and the fashion with aesthetics is the third. For some reason, the doors of our copy of our copy may have been able to adjust the locks properly. The side door at first was also argued: at first she did not want to easily leave the opening from the first attempt, and then looked loosely when returning to the place. As a result, in order to close tightly, it took it to push it on a guide with great effort. In principle, the case is the corrected mechanics of work for five minutes. There is no complaints to the back bivalve doors: half are fixed, forming an angle of 90 or 180. Plus, the stops are equipped with rubber shock absorbers that exclude direct contact of the painted metal surfaces. Trifle, and what good!

 

The third-generation CADDY management bodies look quite modernly, which you can not say about the quality of finishing materials. On the other hand, the cargo version can be completed with the abundance of cheap plastic: in the end, this is a workhorse, and not a family movement. But in the impracticality of the CADDY-3 creators, you will not reproach: such a trim is easy to wash your own forces, without spending money to visit the autocosmetics. The driver's seat is quite convenient, in such a day driving day without subsequent pains in the back and whining the cervical muscles. For an additional fee, you can order a small boxing under the front seat, but it is too modest. In such a place, you can keep the gas can, the electric shock and even some simple means of individual protection.
 
A practical look of the experienced motorist consistently snatures purely Volkswagenian detailing of the interior. In the extended driver's door pocket easily a 1.5-liter drink bottle. On the side panel there are stamping in the style of the armrest. Tired of burglaring and relax a little. In short, convenient. Between the front seats, the recess with the locks for two small beverages with drinks. It seems that the young Caddy driver does not threaten. The maternity hosts will certainly appreciate the niche in the ceiling area over the windshield. If you wish, you can put not only scarf and gloves, magazines and topographic maps, but also a lot of other useful things on the road. For considerations of practicality in Torpedo, open cells for a mobile phone and handles are made, a shelf for trivia (in Europe it is convenient to pay parking, and we can put the keys here). It seems that the interior of the car washed by individual order some plush.
 
We estimate the management authorities. The suspended pedals of the clutch and brakes, in general, are traditional, but the outdoor gas pedal represents a well-forgotten old in the 70s of the last century such a decision on the machines was considered true blessing. There are no special complaints to the node, except for the prominency of the brake and gas pedals. And if a person has a big size of shoes or a wide foot as then to move the foot from one pedal to another? Even the hydraulic clutch drive that reduces the physical exertion on the driver, on this background serves as a weak consolation.
 
The algorithm for moving the gearbox lever is quite clear; I am glad, the clarity of the operation of the PPC with a quick shift shift. The reversal radius is not bad, providing sufficient maneuverability in urban conditions. The visibility from the driver's seat is satisfactory, the main thing is to get used to the presence of a hood, which at a low landing just dissolves in a dead zone. A large area of \u200b\u200bexternal mirrors provides a good visibility, however, their sphericality distorts the real picture, scalating the image towards the decrease. But in general, behind the wheel of Caddy-3 in the urban stream you feel confident. Road clearance of 154 mm makes it possible not to paste both primers, it is important only not to overestimate the possibilities of the car on large ughab.

 

There was nothing to transport, and therefore we rolled the empty, throwing several empty boxes in the cargo compartment. The suspension in a lightweight version works harsh, but for a light truck is a normal state. Agree, it is not necessary to dangle to dangle the city messenger. His task to carry goods. Switch to the assessment of the capacity of the cargo compartment. She causes a sense of satisfaction. True, a couple of rigging loops in the middle of the salon I would not consider extra. The corrugated floor is well holding the cargo from the lateral displacement, and in the longitudinal direction its freedom limits the partition between the cabin and the product compartment.
 
It is not possible to stand in full growth inside Caddy, 1,257 mm vertical space is clearly not enough. But the height of the cargo opening of 1,116 mm is enough to accommodate the urban messenger and large-sized washing machine in the womb, and home cinema. The widths of the side window are 700 mm, formed by the sliding door, is not enough for a large TV or a computer monitor in the package. But we will not forget: the value of 700 mm is the largest in the class. For comparison: Peugeot Partner and Ford Transit Connect side door for 50 mm already. Here it is fit to break the rear gate. Through them in Caddy-3, almost any household appliance or device will enter. The warranty is the distance between the wheel arches of the rear axle in 1 172 mm and 1,558 mm in the front of the cargo compartment. Those who are gathered to use the car for the delivery of goods to the house or service of the population, it is notable to ask the length of the cargo platform. Of course, 1,781 mm is quite decent, but not every modern refrigerator will enter here with a closed rear door.

 

Summing up the first direct acquaintance with the car, I would like to note explicit progress. The third generation caddy has almost surpassed the predecessor. For representatives of the transport business, such a comparison is more important than any sugary-rosged advertising phrases. The fact that the new messenger is captured in Russia, there is no doubt. But how fast this will happen and in what quantities it will be sold, directly depends on the price and market conditions (which, by the way, has already been formed).
 

The car is provided by Volkswagen Group Rus.
 
Text: Alexander Trokhachev
Photo: Yuri Dorodonov
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Magazine "Wheels" [№79 / 2004]