Volkswagen's Caddy Van range is now being fitted with standard autonomous emergency braking (AEB) in the form of the company’s Forward Collision Warning and City Emergency Braking. Volkswagen Australia says this is a first for a vehicle of its type in this country.
The accident prevention technology is now available in all Volkswagen panel vans, Crewvans and people movers.
The fitment of the AEB system will bring a $400 price hike to the Caddy, however Volkswagen's Director of Commercial vehicles Carlos Santos said the price rise would likely be ameliorated over the period of ownership by a reduced insurance premium, as had been the case when Forward Collision Warning and City Emergency Braking was fitted to Volkswagen passenger vehicles.
"No competitor can offer this technology as an option, let alone as standard," Mr Santos said. "This is hugely relevant for a vehicle driven mainly in traffic-dense urban environments where most accidents are low speed impacts – the sort of accidents that Forward Collision Warning and City Emergency Braking help prevent.
"Caddy embodies the qualities that distinguish Volkswagen's commercial model line-up,” said Santos.
“There are no white tin cans in our range. Our vehicles are built with the same consideration for the driver as a Golf and are the most car-like to drive of their type," he concluded.
New Caddy Pricing:
Volkswagen Caddy Van TSl220 seven-speed DSG: $29,390
Caddy Maxi Van TSl220 six-speed manual: $28,590
Caddy Maxi Van TSl220 seven-speed DSG: $31,590
Caddy Maxi Crewvan TSl220 six-speed manual: $30,090