2021 Volkswagen Caddy and California due in Australia next year
The 2021 Volkswagen Caddy van line-up is due in Australian showrooms about the middle of next year, followed closely by the next-generation Caddy California camper.
However the new Caddy range will initially be offered with a choice of only diesel engines, versus the choice of petrol or diesel power currently.
Several body styles will be available, including short and long wheelbase vans, a crew van, a people mover, and the California camper.
The first completely new VW Caddy in almost 20 years will mark a massive step change for one of the world’s most popular compact city vans.
The VW Caddy in showrooms today – released in 2010 and dubbed Caddy 4 – is in fact an update to the VW Caddy 3 released in 2003.
It means the current Caddy van’s underpinnings and core structure will be 18 years old by the time the model is replaced locally.
Although final details are yet to be confirmed, the new VW Caddy 5 promises advanced safety tech and next-level driving dynamics as it shares its underpinnings with the new-generation VW Golf 8.
Price is expected to climb because of new equipment, extra safety tech and the fact that it will initially be a diesel-only model.
Volkswagen Australia says it is assessing a petrol variant for inclusion at a later date, however extensive testing is required to determine if the petrol particulate filter on its new-generation petrol engines can accommodate Australia’s lower grade fuel.
Meanwhile, the next generation VW Caddy California will also join the line-up – as another limited edition – in late 2021.
Volkswagen would like to add the variant as a permanent member of the line-up, however sharp demand for camper vans globally in the wake of the pandemic has constrained Australian supply.