Rabbit Pickup

The Caddy came to fruition when Volkswagen of America was experimenting with Golf derivatives, developing an estate and a pickup truck with a 1.83 m-long (6.0 ft) bed.^[1]: 28 VW of America's engineering team was led by Duane Miller, who acknowledged the initial design was completed in partnership with Sheller Globe.^[2]

Volkswagen of America was interested in the pickup, and Volkswagen released the Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup in North America, produced at the Volkswagen Westmoreland Assembly Plant in Pennsylvania from 1978 to 1984.^[1]: 28 Trim levels such as LX and Sportruck were available.^[3]

In North America, the Rabbit Pickup was equipped with one of two engines: a 1.6L diesel with 52 hp (39 kW) or a 1.7L petrol with 78 hp (58 kW).^[4] One unique feature of the diesel was that it came with a five-speed gearbox, with the fifth gear, carrying a 0.76:1 ratio, labeled as E for "Economy". Fuel consumption was rated at 23 / 32 mpg_‑US (10.2 / 7.4 L/100 km) on the EPA city/highway cycles for the petrol engine with the four-speed manual and a corresponding 41 / 54 mpg_‑US (5.7 / 4.4 L/100 km) for the five-speed diesel.^[2] Observed fuel consumption for the diesel with no load and driven at a steady 35 mph (56 km/h) in fifth gear was 57.6 mpg_‑US (4.08 L/100 km), dropping to 38.9 mpg_‑US (6.05 L/100 km) at 55 mph (89 km/h).^[5] The maximum interior width of the bed was 64.4 in (1,640 mm) and the rated payload was 1,100 lb (500 kg).^[2]

The first cars under the name Rabbit Pickup were sold in the United States in late 1979 for the 1980 model year, delayed from a planned spring 1979 rollout.^[6] It was not sold as the Caddy until three years later, when the model was introduced to Europe as the Caddy. Cosmetically, the North American Rabbit Pickup had rectangular headlamps, while the rest of the world received round headlamps.^[1]: 28

The Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup competed with compact pickups, such as the Ford Courier, Datsun Truck, Toyota Hilux, Dodge Rampage and Subaru BRAT.^[5][7]

Worldwide

The Caddy nameplate was never used in North America. Its first use was in 1982, when the vehicle was released in Europe. European Caddys were built in Volkswagen's plant TAS in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (at the time SFR Yugoslavia), between 1982 and 1992.^[1]: 28 A fiberglass-reinforced plastic box cap was available to cover the open bed, turning the Caddy into a small panel van with an enclosed 2.65 m³ (94 cu ft) of cargo volume,^[8] and it also could be used as a caravan with an appropriate in-bed unit.^[1]: 28

The original Caddy also was produced in Uitenhage, South Africa from 1981 until 2007,^[1]: 28 alongside the first generation Golf itself (which was sold until 2009).

Worldwide production of the first-generation Typ 14 Rabbit Pickup/Caddy totaled more than 207,000 vehicles.^[1]: 28 For the pickup truck market, Volkswagen sold the Taro, a rebranded Toyota Hilux, from 1989 to 1997;^[9] the Caddy name continued in 1995 as a slightly smaller panel van and multi-purpose vehicle developed with Škoda and SEAT.

Engine specs

The 1979–1984 Caddy pickup used the following engines:^{[citation needed]}

• 1.5 petrol EA827 1.5: 51 kW (68 hp; 69 PS) / 110 N⋅m (81 lbf⋅ft) @2500^[10]
• 1.5 diesel (1980): 35 kW (47 hp; 48 PS)
• 1.6 diesel EA827 1.6 R4 D: 52 hp (39 kW) @4800 / 71.5 lb⋅ft (96.9 N⋅m) @3000^[5]
• 1.6 diesel EA827 1.6 R4 D: 40 kW (54 hp; 54 PS) / 100 N⋅m (74 lbf⋅ft) @2300^[10][8]
• 1.6 petrol EA827 1.6: 55 kW (74 hp; 75 PS) / 125 N⋅m (92 lbf⋅ft) @2500^[8]
• 1.7 petrol
• 1.6 turbodiesel (not marketed in the United States)
• 1.8 petrol

However, during its long production in South Africa it has been available with the following engines:

• 1.6 petrol: 63 kW (84 hp; 86 PS)
• 1.6 petrol: 60 kW (80 hp; 82 PS)
• 1.6 diesel: 44 kW (59 hp; 60 PS)
• 1.8 petrol: 70 kW (94 hp; 95 PS)

Gallery

Caddy Typ 9U

Released in 1996 to complement the Typ 9K Caddy range, the rebadged Škoda Felicia Utility was the entry level light commercial vehicle for the VWCV range.

The Typ 9U Caddy was built in Škoda Auto's Kvasiny, Czech Republic plant.

Features of Typ 9U Caddy

• 530 kg (1,170 lb) payload rating
• 2.0 m² loading area
• length: 4.12 m (13.5 ft)
• width: 1.64 m (5.4 ft)
• turning circle: 11.2 m (37 ft)
• 3 point seatbelts
• option of twin airbags
• option of ABS brakes
• option of air conditioning, standard in Petrol engined models.^[13]

Caddy Panel (2010–present)

The Caddy Panel grew in size over the Caddy Typ 9K, it measures in length 4,405 mm (173.4 in), width 1,802 mm (70.9 in), height 1,833 mm (72.2 in), wheelbase 2,682 mm (105.6 in), has a 750 kg (1,653 lb) payload, and a loading volume of 3.2 m³. The current shape Typ 2K Caddy, on sale in Europe since 2003, is a leisure activity vehicle with Volkswagen Golf Mk5 front suspension.

It resembles the compact MPV Touran, and is assembled at the Poznań factory in Poland. In May 2007, British Gas signed a landmark deal which saw 1,000 vans being supplied to the firm, which were fitted with a bespoke racking system and a speed limiter, designed by Siemens.^[16] The deal was renewed in September 2015.^[17]

Caddy Life

The Caddy Life, a seven-seat passenger oriented People Mover, debuted at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. It comes with twin sliding doors and a 608 kg (1,340 lb) payload.

Caddy Life has a flexible seating system. The two rear bench seat rows can be taken out of the vehicle altogether to give the vehicle 2850 litres of cargo room; in addition, the Caddy Life has a 1,500 kg (3,307 lb) towing capacity.^{[citation needed]}

In 2005, a Special Edition Caddy Life Colour Concept with two distinctive colours, Red Spice and Ravenna Blue, was released with upholstery fabrics, floor mats and a variety of other elements on the dash panel in the same colour as the exterior body, and a leather trimmed steering wheel, gear and handbrake lever.^[18]

Caddy Maxi and Caddy Maxi Life

Debuting at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles presented the Caddy Maxi Life the people mover version of the Maxi range. The Caddy Maxi range carried over all of the Caddy engine and debuted the 2.0L TDI engine producing 103 kW (138 hp; 140 PS).^[19]

The Caddy Maxi family is 470 mm (19 in) longer version of the Caddy with 4.2 m³ loading space, this is due to extensions of the wheelbase which measures 3,002 mm (118.2 in) an extended, rear overhang now 151 mm (5.9 in), plus the growth between the sliding doors and the rear axle now at 319 mm (12.6 in) and payload is up to 800 kg (1,764 lb) to 810 kg (1,786 lb) on commercial versions.

The Caddy Maxi Tramper, the camping version of the Caddy Maxi, debuted at the 2008 AMI Leipzig Motor Show along with the Caddy Maxi EcoFuel Study.

Caddy Life Tramper (Camper)

Based on the Caddy Life the Tramper or Camper (Australia) package comes with two seats and a table, a fold out awning that is packaged within the rear tailgate, a bed that is made by folding down the seats measures 1.10 m x 2.0 m, also curtains are standard for privacy, options include a seven-litre cool box.

Carrera Cup Edition

The Caddy Carrera Cup Edition is a limited (250 units) version for the Swedish market. It is based on the 2.0L TDi model with black 17 inch wheels with 225/45R17 tires, a new body kit, white body with red trim, black and red leather sport seats, a fire extinguisher under the passenger's seat, a sport leather steering wheel and gear knob.

The vehicle has MSRP of 250,000 Swedish krona (US$34,200 or €22,000).^[20]

Caddy 4Motion

At the 2008 IAA (Hannover Motor Show), Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles revealed the all wheel drive Caddy 4Motion range teamed with the 1.9 TDI engine and manual transmission.^[21]

Early in 2010, the Caddy Maxi range will receive the 4Motion drivetrain.^[22]

Caddy in Australia

Since its introduction in the Australian market in 2003, the Caddy range has taken the market lead for small vans, with a 42% share in 2007.^[23] Even with the more premium pricing over its competition, buyers are still willing to pay more for the TDI and DSG transmission options.^[24]

Awards

• Professional Van and Light Truck Magazine Small Van of the Year 2007 (United Kingdom)
• Van Fleet World Best Small Van 2007 (United Kingdom)
• Fleet News – 2008 Best Small Van Award^[25]
• Professional Van and Light Truck Magazine Small Van of the Year 2008 (United Kingdom) – Caddy Maxi^[26]
• Delivery Magazine Award – 2008 Best Small Van Caddy Maxi^[27]
• What Van? (United Kingdom) – Editor's Choice 2008 Caddy Maxi^[28]

Engines

• 1.2 TSI – 86 PS (63 kW; 85 hp) – 160 N⋅m (118 lb⋅ft) (petrol)
• 1.2 TSI – 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) – 175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) (petrol)
• 1.4 16V – 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) – 126 N⋅m (93 lb⋅ft) (petrol) (discontinued)
• 1.4 16V – 80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp) – 132 N⋅m (97 lb⋅ft) (petrol) (discontinued)
• 1.6 8V – 102 PS (75 kW; 101 hp) – 148 N⋅m (109 lb⋅ft) (petrol) (discontinued)
• 1.6 TDI – 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) – 225 N⋅m (166 lb⋅ft) (diesel)^[29]
• 1.6 TDI – 102 PS (75 kW; 101 hp) – 250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) (diesel)^[29]
• 1.9 TDI – 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) – 210 N⋅m (155 lb⋅ft) (diesel) (discontinued)
• 1.9 TDI – 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) – 250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) (diesel) (discontinued)
• 2.0 SDI – 69 PS (51 kW; 68 hp) – 140 N⋅m (103 lb⋅ft) (diesel) (only for panel van and panel window van) (discontinued)
• 2.0 TDI – 102 PS (75 kW; 101 hp)
• 2.0 TDI – 110 PS (81 kW; 110 hp) – 290 N⋅m (214 lb⋅ft) (diesel)^[29]
• 2.0 TDI – 140 PS (100 kW; 140 hp) – 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) (diesel)^[29]
• 2.0 TDI – 170 PS (130 kW; 170 hp) – 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) (diesel) (only for Caddy Maxi)
• 2.0 EcoFuel – 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) – 160 N⋅m (118 lb⋅ft) (CNG)^[29]

Facelift

Other versions

In 2012, Volkswagen launched the Cross Caddy model with a series of crossover-inspired aesthetic changes.^[32] In 2015, the Caddy Alltrack, the successor to the CrossCaddy, debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show.^[33]

Volkswagen Group tuner Abt Sportsline unveiled a battery-electric conversion of the Caddy (Typ 2K) at the IAA 2018 Commercial Vehicle show in Hanover; the ABT e-Caddy is based on the long-wheelbase Caddy Maxi, and is driven by an electric traction motor that develops 82 kW (110 hp) and 200 N⋅m (148 lbf⋅ft) of torque. Driving range is 220 km (137 mi) (NEDC), drawing from a lithium-ion battery with 37.3 kW-hr of capacity.^[34]

Models

The Caddy is available in a light commercial vehicle (LCV) variant with two seats (Caddy Cargo)^[38] or a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) with five or seven seats (Caddy/Caddy Life).^[39] There is also a five-seat model prepared for camping, with a slide-out kitchenette in lieu of the third seating row of the MPV (Caddy California).^[40] All versions are available with regular or extended wheelbase (Maxi).

The Caddy Cargo Typ SB is now able to accommodate a EUR-pallet; the opening at the rear hatch was widened to 1,234 mm (48.6 in) and the interior width between the wheel arches was increased to 1,230 mm (48 in). With sliding side doors that are 846 mm (33.3 in), 145 mm (5.7 in) wider than the standard Caddy Cargo, the Caddy Cargo Maxi is able to accommodate a second EUR-pallet loaded cross-wise in the cargo area. Maximum cargo width is 1,613 mm (63.5 in) for both variants, interior height is 1,272–1,274 mm (50.1–50.2 in), and the loading lengths are 1,797 and 2,150 mm (70.7 and 84.6 in), for the standard and Maxi, respectively, making the cargo volumes 3.1 and 3.7 m³ (110 and 130 cu ft).^{[1]: 8–12}

In July 2022, the Volkswagen Caddy received a CNG-powered TGI variant and the Dark Label special edition.^[41]

• Caddy Cargo
• Caddy Commerce Pro
• Caddy Maxi California
• Interior

Engines