The Caddy from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) is now available in two further versions: as a CNG-powered TGI and as an elegant ‘Dark Label’ special edition. VWCV is thus expanding its Caddy model range with attractive variants, which can also be combined with each other.
The extensive range of petrol and diesel engines for the Caddy has been further expanded in the 35-centimetre longer Maxi with the addition of an alternative drive system: it is now also available with a CNG engine. The turbocharged 1.5-liter power train delivers 96 kW /131 PS and provides for good driving performance and low energy consumption in the big Caddy. The Caddy Maxi TGI achieves, for example, the energy label A+, making it the only vehicle in the product line to do so.
The Caddy TGI can be run in an especially financially attractive and environmentally-friendly way using bio-CNG. The cost of CNG is much lower than that of petrol or diesel. A kilogram of CNG also delivers around 1.5 times more energy than a liter of petrol – and 1.3 times more than a liter of diesel.
Much lower emission levels than conventional internal combustion engines all the way to carbon-neutral motoring are possible using biomethane in the Caddy TGI. CNG comes in Germany from domestic production, while for the renewable version, all that is used in its production is local waste. Biomethane can be produced, for example, from straw or sludge.
139 liters or 21.1 kg of CNG fit into the five steel tanks. As a result of these tanks being mounted under the vehicle, the Caddy Maxi’s large cargo space can continue to be used as before. The quasi-monovalent CNG drive system in the Caddy also has an extra tank for petrol with a capacity of 8.25 liters. Should it ever on the odd occasion not be possible to get to a CNG fuel pump, there are thus adequate reserves on board. Quasi-monovalent means that the Caddy starts with the aid of petrol and then always runs on CNG, only switching to petrol if the natural gas tank is empty.
At a consumption rate of 4.3 kg of CNG per hundred kilometers or, in corresponding terms, 118 grams of CO2 per one kilometer (combined cycle), more than 400 kilometers running on CNG and around a further 120 kilometers given a full tank of petrol should be possible, dependent on the individual driving style. To achieve this, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Caddy Maxi TGI uses the latest 1.5-litre, 96-kW engine from the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, which was developed specifically for using CNG.
The new Caddy TGI is available in the Cargo, Kombi, Caddy Life and Style variants only in the version with a long wheelbase.
Like the TGI, also available immediately to order and drive away is the special edition ‘Dark Label’ model with numerous black design elements and premium interior fittings. Supplied in only four muted exterior paint finishes, the model thus elegantly sets itself apart from the other Caddy line models.
The Caddy Dark Label can be ordered with a short or long wheelbase. For the drive system, customers can choose any of the petrol or diesel engines with front or also all-wheel drive that are available for the Caddy. Naturally also the new TGI with natural gas engine.
Source: VWCV
