Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Minivan test drive since 2007 Minivan
All -wheel drive VW Caddy Tramper
The all -wheel drive VW Caddy Tramper cannot be called a real SUV, but maybe travel lovers will appreciate it? If we distract from the dubious sleeping and impassive categories, we have a good city car, a passenger VW. It stands perfectly on a straight line and, despite the high center of gravity, does not scare the rolls during maneuvers. He behaves on the road reliably, confidently, correctly and boring. The ride is very reviving the coloring of the body and seats in a multi -colored strip. Everyone who saw this van smiled. Extremely good -natured views from passing cars. Perhaps, according to the general warm technique, this rainbow Caddy will be compared only with the yellow fiat panda, which at one time spent three months in our editorial office. This is one of those cars in which a good mood is already sewn up and no special efforts are needed to get it: take it and enjoy it.
Not a SUV, but a car
The test car is equipped with a diesel engine 1.9 liters (104 l. The motor is quite economical: I just forgot with it what refueling is. According to the manufacturer, the flow rate is only 6.7 liters in a combined mode. Six -speed gearbox. The front suspension is independent. Behind the uncertain bridge with a powerful gearbox. The Haldex coupling connects the rear axle on demand. Just do not need to seriously hope for all -wheel drive.
I tried to ride over rough terrain and quickly disappointed. In principle, off -road is not for this design. A long base and a low front overhang are forced to accurately evaluate the geometry of each oncoming tubercle. The entrance angle is only 15 degrees. This is not even a parquet, but a purely passenger characteristic. The angle of the congress is 23 degrees, the angle of the ramp (fracture) is 15 degrees. Plus, the road clearance is far from perfect. You will go a little faster and either demolish the bumper, or you will saddle with the protection of the crankcase. By the way, protection from thick iron is very good. But this is the only plus. The box is only mechanical, and the clutch on the soft ground burns with a hellish flame. To call in the sand is consistent. Antibux electronics suffer from severe autism. When trying to hang out one of the wheels, I put the car on the belly: I do not remember another such case over the past three years. When ESP turned on, one of the wheels was cheerful to dig a grave, so fast that when I pressed the brake, it was too late. Has VW have lost all antibux technologies used in Touareg? No, just Tramper is not an SUV.
The trunk is busy with a bed, camping furniture, a refrigerator and an awning. To spread the bed, you need to fold the second row and tilt the backs of the front seats
Frankly sleeping
However, this car wanted to surprise another, namely the bed in the cabin. Together with the awning and accessories (two chairs, a table and a refrigerator), she occupies the entire trunk. You look at this design and do not understand: why is it better than an even floor formed by folded seats, where can you throw an inflatable mattress or sleeping bag? For me, it is much worse. In any car, it is obviously not enough space, especially in height. The lower you arranged a bed in a car, the more living space you played. There is no flat floor in the VW Caddy 4-Motion Tramper, and the designers have heated there something like the upper shelf of the railway car. Everything, it would seem, is good, but once again to climb, get tired of it, and the place is not a full-fledged residential, but frankly sleeping. Sit, play chess with the girl will not be able to go to bed immediately.
A special synthetic insert into the side window for ventilation and against mosquitoes
European consumers, on whom this is designed, is not in a claim. Caddy Tramper looks very harmonious in Greece or in France, where a family on weekends or taking a week of vacation goes to visit several mountain gorges, waterfalls and other beauties, to which in Europe no more than 100 kilometers at all. I drove up to such a sight, put the car on the parking lot next to other kempers and walk all day, get impressions and knead the body, rejoice in nature. In the evening, you can have a bite to eat under the tent and go to bed, and the next day, ride a boat or climb the rocks.
Write me with a thrush
Caddy Tramper Family transport for a European holiday, which is unknown to us. Russian traditions of using a car in nature vary strongly. In most regions, we have very far from the nearest tourist beauties, and there are practically no places for an overnight stay in the car along the tracks. Instead of driving on mountain bicycles in the recreation program, there is a vodo-sshenchny intimateness. Nobody is sleeping until the morning. The berth is of particular importance for the next day after the holiday, when it is being traced on it. Only the bed in the Caddy Tramper 1.1x2 m for two, and five plus the button accordion gets into the car. Where will they settle? Under the tent? But here is also cramped, and there are only two chairs.
Why are these games with beds and an awning? In Russia, Caddy Tramper completely loses to any other car with better cross -country ability. Because for the sake of just a clean piece of land, you must call very far. And throwing a sleeping bag with a tent in the trunk does anyone interfere? I am for Caddy Tramper within the city, and instead of kutsi tourist accessories, it is better to make a strip of the front panel, and then I will be the first to sign up with a cheerful thrush to carry aluminum civa for small shops every morning.
Author: Dmitry Leontyev, photo of Alexander Ortnova-Baranov
Source: Magazine 4x4 [September /2009]
