VW unleashes the ultimate express-delivery van
Think a diminutive diesel van is only suited to postmen and plumbers? Think again…It'll probably be the butt of all kinds of jokes relating to express deliveries, but we like the thinking behind the Volkswagen Caddy Racer, conceived for the Volkswagen Racing Cup series in the UK.
Derived from the recently updated Caddy, the race version will be competing against all manner of track-prepped Golfs, Sciroccos, Jettas and Beetle RSIs in the single-make series.
The boxy van mightn't look dramatically different from its utilitarian road-going sibling, but its drivetrain and suspension have been treated to a wholesale makeover.
Its motive power comes from a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that thumps out 200kW and a towering 512Nm, channelled to the front wheels by a six-speed manual gearbox with a Volkswagen Racing quick-shift lever.
The turbodiesel donk's extra oomph comes largely from revised engine mapping and a bespoke exhaust system.
The Caddy Racer rides on fully adjustable suspension with Nitron three-way dampers all around and the beam rear axle has been turfed in favour of the multilink system found in the Golf.
Its grip on the tarmac comes via Hankook racing slicks, wrapped around 8x18-inch Team Dynamics alloys, while braking power is uprated via 355mm ventilated front discs and Ferodo 2500 racing pads. The brakes have adjustable bias and the anti-lock system has been disabled.
In keeping with its job description, the Caddy Racer is equipped with a welded-in multi-point roll cage, Cobra racing seat, six-point Sparco harness and plumbed-in fire extinguisher.
No performance figures have been released, but given that the vehicle weighs a none-too-portly 1300kg, it should haul the mail at a respectable clip.
The Caddy Racer's first competitive outing will be at the first round of the series over the Easter weekend at Oulton Park, and it will subsequently compete at some of the UK's most iconic tracks, including Snetterton, Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Donington Park. There's also a round at Zandvoort in the Netherlands.
The Caddy will be piloted by Volkswagen UK's Commercial Vehicles director Simon Elliott, who said: "The new Caddy has started life strongly since its launch and has already started winning awards, so the Caddy Racer will hopefully add to the trophy cabinet."
Powertrain
Power 200kW at 3600rpm
Torque 512Nm 3300rpm
Engine management Volkswagen with Superchips mapping
Gearbox Six-speed manual with Volkswagen Racing quick shift
Clutch Sachs sintered metal plate
Exhaust system Milltek Sport bespoke system
Safety Cobra racing seat, six-point Sparco harness, fire extinguisher
Steering Power assisted rack and pinion
Braking system 355mm ventilated front discs, production ventilated rear discs, Ferodo 2500 racing pads, ABS disabled, adjustable bias
Rims 8x18in Team Dynamics alloy wheels
Tyres Hankook racing slick tyres
Width 1794mm
Height 1823mm
Wheelbase 2681mm
Weight 1300kg
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