The Caddy from Volkswagen gets a Kit and specification upgrade to make it an even better choice.

• Volkswagen boosts equipment levels across all Caddy models
• Caddy is now the safest van in the class with a high level of standard features
• Prices reduced for petrol-engined models
• Prices start at £17,527 (OTR inc VAT); new models and spec available to order now

The award-winning Volkswagen Caddy is set to become an even more tempting proposition thanks to a substantial specification boost and range realignment. The change, which marks the introduction of the 2018 model year Caddy, delivers even higher standard equipment levels, boosted safety features across all models and lower prices for petrol-powered models.

Safety has always been at the heart of the Caddy’s design and engineering, with driver, passenger and side airbags and post-collision braking system all introduced as standard when the current model was launched in 2015. 

With the 2018 model, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has increased safety levels once again with the fitment of autonomous emergency braking (AEB - Front Assist with City Emergency Braking) and driver alert as standard across the entire range. 

All Volkswagen vans now come with standard AEB, cited by Thatcham Research, the motor insurers’ automotive research centre and respected experts in safety, security and crash repair, as ‘probably the most significant development in vehicle safety since the seat belt’ with the potential to save more than 1,000 lives and 120,000 casualties over the next ten years.

And it’s not just additional safety equipment that Caddy drivers will benefit from with the introduction of the 2018 model. All three trim grades, Startline, Trendline and Highline, feature more standard equipment than ever before, further boosting value for money. 

All models, including Startline, gain a leather multifunction steering wheel and multifunction display (in addition to AEB and Driver Alert), while 2018 Trendline models now feature climatic air conditioning as standard. Finally, range-topping Highline models gain Volkswagen’s sophisticated Discover Media satellite navigation system as standard.

As part of the 2018 Caddy package, Volkswagen is also realigning its price structure. As a result, models equipped with the brand’s highly advanced TSI petrol engines are now significantly more affordable. For example, the Startline 1.2 TSI 84 PS model now costs £17,527 (total RRP inc OTR and VAT) – some £1,017 less than the previous price.

The Caddy enjoys one of the broadest ranges of petrol engine options in its sector, and is offered with three highly efficient TSI petrol units. The line-up for the 2018 model consists of: a 1.2-litre 84 PS four-cylinder unit, a 1.0-litre 102 PS three-cylinder unit and a range-topping 1.4-litre 125 PS four-cylinder engine offered with the option of a seven-speed DSG transmission. All three optimise lightweight construction and a turbocharger to deliver the perfect combination of performance and efficiency.

Commenting on the update, Sarah Cox, Head of Marketing for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said: “The Caddy has always represented exceptional value for money and these changes further enhance its appeal. We’re delighted to offer people a petrol option at a lower price than before , and are proud of our comprehensive safety package, which we believe makes the Caddy the safest small van on the road.”

For van drivers and fleet operators, safe vans mean lower costs as well as less downtime thanks to fewer crashes and therefore drivers and vans kept on the road – and working – for longer. In addition, vehicles fitted with autonomous braking systems have an average insurance premium reduction of ten per cent compared to those which don’t.

Caddy van prices

Business Van Manager - The Renault Kangoo E.V. takes Best Green Van at the ceremony.

• Renault Kangoo Van Z.E. awarded Best Green Van by Business Van Manager
• Renault Kangoo Van Z.E. praised for efficiency
• The van with 106 miles of range (NEDC) available from £13,298.48 (inc. PiVG and excl. battery hire and VAT)

The 100 per cent electric Renault Kangoo Van Z.E. has proved its eco-credentials once more after picking up Best Green Van at the Business Van Manager Awards in London, today.

Europe’s best-selling electric van and former International Van of the Year impressed judges thanks to its green credentials. 

The Kangoo Van Z.E., first launched in 2011, is powered by a 44kW electric motor and 22kWh lithium-ion battery and four versions are available: Kangoo Van Z.E., Kangoo Van Maxi Z.E. (2 seats), Kangoo Van Z.E. Maxi Crew Van (5 seats) and Kangoo Maxi Crew Van CAB Z.E (5 seats with windows). It has a range of 106 miles (NEDC).

Thanks to its zero tailpipe emissions, a payload of 650kg and load capacity of up to 4.6m³, the Kangoo Van Z.E. is ideal for urban deliveries.  

Ralph Morton, Editorial Director, Business Van, said: “Look around London and you’ll notice the delivery van landscape is changing – and it’s being changed by this van, winner of our green award, the Kangoo Z.E. As the clouds gather over urban diesel emissions, Renault has all the answers. The zero emission Kangoo Z.E is a clear - and clean - winner of our green award.”

Paul Flanagan, Managing Director, Groupe Renault UK, said: “The Kangoo Van Z.E. is the perfect vehicle for many tradesmen, as proven by this award by Business Van. It is more than capable not just in cities, but also now for further travelling. With a variety of versions and trim levels, the Kangoo Van Z.E. caters for all needs and costs a matter of pence to charge so it’s frugal, too.”

Kangoo Van Z.E is Europe’s best-selling electric van, with a basic price of £13,298.48 (inc. PiVG and excl. battery hire and VAT). It carries over the same user-friendly functional features as the internal combustion-engined version and offers a silent, versatile driving experience with maximum torque available from start-up and seamless acceleration thanks to the absence of gear changes.

In January, the Kangoo Van Z.E. was unveiled with an uprated range of 168 miles NEDC – boosting its current range by over 60 per cent.

Volkswagen celebrates it's commercial vehicle devision topping 50,000 registrations in the year.

• Record UK registrations for the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand
• Over 50,000* vehicles registered by the brand for the first time
• Market share up to over 12 per cent; brand retains number two position
• Substantial increase in Transporter and Caddy volumes

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles produced a fifth consecutive new UK sales record in 2016, registering over 45,000 new vans. 

The latest generation Transporter and Caddy model ranges saw significant sales increases, while the brand’s passenger carriers and campervan registrations took Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ total 2016 registrations to 50,068*, up nearly five per cent on 2015 (47,739). 

This result means the brand has more than doubled its volume since 2009.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also not only maintained but strengthened its number two position in the light commercial vehicles sector, recording a market share of 12.1 per cent.

The multi-award winning Transporter accounted for 22,872 registrations, up over 11 per cent on 2015 (50,533). 8,156 Caddys were registered, down 757 compared to 2016, though Caddy Maxi sales were up over 35 per cent to 6,377, giving total Caddy registrations of 14,533.

Both the Amarok and Crafter models saw small declines in sales as the brand prepares to relaunch the refreshed pick-up and all-new Crafter this year. (3,586 Amarok down from 3,908 in 2015; 7,137 Crafter down from 8,009 in 2015.)

Commenting on the brand’s performance, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Carl zu Dohna, said: ‘2016 was a really successful year for the brand, with the Transporter and Caddy consolidating their positions in the market after being launched in September 2015. I’m really proud of my team and the Van Centre network for achieving this result.’

He added: ‘I’m delighted that customers are getting to know our latest products and appreciating not only their inherent strengths, but also the after sales support and complete mobility packages which we have put around them. The support we give to our customers to help them choose the right vans and minimise in-life downtime, as well as adding value to our range of products remains extremely important to us.’

*SMMT data. Includes passenger carrying models registered as ‘cars’:

• Passenger carriers include: Caravelle, Transporter Shuttle, Caddy Life, Caddy Maxi Life and Caddy Maxi Camper.
• Transporter registrations include California.
• Registrations include LCV/HCV market up to 6.0T.

A new report shows that once great sellers from the 70's and 80's are very close to being completely wiped out in the UK.

Recent research by leading classic car insurer, ClassicLine has revealed that a number of once popular British classic cars are facing an extinction crisis.

The list of top ten most endangered cars in Britain has been published by the insurance specialists as part of it’s new ‘Save our Classics’ campaign.

Taking the top spot on the endangered list is the British Leyland built, Morris Ital. The new figures revealing that with only 35 registered examples left they are now rarer than a Javan Rhino.

Built at Cowley and then later Longbridge between 1980 – 1984, the Ital was the last production car to wear the Morris badge. In the past decade, a shocking 150 Itals have disappeared from Britain’s roads, and today, the youngest car in the Morris family is on the very brink of extinction.

“Once common 1970’s and 80’s cars are disappearing at an alarming rate and this new list is evidence that a serious extinction crisis is mounting”, said Ian Fray, managing director at ClassicLine. “Tens of thousands of Itals were built during the 1980s, they are a proud part of our British manufacturing heritage so it is very sad to hear that so few now remain”.

The new data also highlights the decimation of the iconic Ford Sierra. Often seen roaming across the British landscape in vast numbers through the Eighties and Nineties they are now in a worrying state of decline. With over 64,000 being lost in the last decade, less than one per cent of the total built now remain.

Other cars high on the Save our Classics endangered list include the 1980’s best seller, the Austin Metro, the once popular Ford Cortina, the Austin Allegro, the Vauxhall Victor and the Hillman Avenger.

Fray added, “It is a tragedy that such huge numbers of these cars have been lost in the last decade. Through our new campaign we aim to raise awareness and support for the plight of these once common and much loved British classics that are being recklessly driven to extinction”.

The new Save our Classics campaign, launched earlier this month by ClassicLine encourages the preservation of British classic cars and has called for a number of incentives such as reducing the current UK road tax exemption from 40 years to 30 years to help enthusiasts maintain the dwindling stock. Drivers and enthusiasts can pledge their support to the campaign through the ClassicLine webpage and join the growing community of ‘spotters’ who are being encouraged to share sightings of the endangered cars when they see them out on the road.

For more information about the campaign and to pledge your support visit 

www.classiclineinsurance.co.uk/save-our-classics 

or 

www.facebook.com/saveourclassics

Top 10 endangered cars in the UK

	2015	2005	Amount built	% lost
Morris Ital (1980 – 1984)	35	185	175,276	99.98004
Austin Maxi (1969 – 1981)	140	318	472,098	99.97035
Austin Allegro (1973-1982)	170	543	642,340	99.97354
Vauxhall Chevette (1975 – 1984)	202	765	416,058	99.95145
Hillman Avenger (1970-1981)	215	291	638,631	99.96634
Morris Marina (1971 – 1980)	273	550	809,612	99.96629
Austin Metro (1980 – 1991)	464	8395	1,518,932	99.96946
Vauxhall Victor (1961 – 1978)	828	1050	827,159	99.8999
Ford Sierra (1982 – 1993)	3350	67817	3,470,524	99.90348
Ford Cortina	3580	4967	4,154,902	99.91384

Wessex Water takes delivery of a fleet of Renault kangoo Panel Vans to boost it's fleet to 150 Units.

• Wessex Water adds 25 Renault Kangoo Panel Vans to its compact LCV fleet
• Leading utilities company now operates 150 Renault Kangoos
• Wessex Water is a long term partner of Renault
• Whole life costs a major influence in securing latest order
• Renault LCVs come with four-year/100,000-mile warranty

One of the most efficient water companies in England and Wales is using the Renault Kangoo to provide a service to its 2.7 million customers across the South West of England.

Wessex Water has taken delivery of 25 Renault Kangoo Panel Vans, the leading water company now having a total of 150 examples of the versatile French van on its fleet.

In its work to provide household and business customers across Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, the majority of Wiltshire and parts of Gloucestershire and Hampshire with water and sewerage services, Wessex Water will use its new Kangoos in the completion of essential site surveys and callouts by its scientists, water samplers and inspectors.

Wessex Water’s previous experience of the Renault Kangoo – the company being a long term partner of Renault – and the vehicle’s impressive whole life costs were key factors in the company’s decision to once again invest in the versatile LCV. Other influences were the Kangoo’s comprehensive standard specification and the excellent support that Wessex Water has received from the manufacturer and its dealer network in the time it has operated Renault vehicles.

Finished in Wessex Water’s striking livery, the company’s latest Kangoos are all powered by the efficient dCi 75 1.5-litre ENERGY diesel engine, which returns up to 67.3mpg (combined). Supplied in Business trim, Wessex Water’s Kangoos provide the company’s operatives with high levels of comfort, safety and convenience. 

Wessex Water’s drivers will benefit from such standard features as electric door mirrors and electric front windows, DAB radio with AUX input, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, remote central locking, and ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with Hill Start Assist and Grip Xtend, which optimises traction of both front wheels depending on the conditions.

Kangoo also has a host of storage compartments in its cabin to make the best use of the available space, while the versatile Panel Van offers a payload of up to 650kg. 

Practicality is enhanced with the standard full steel bulkhead and Wessex Water has tailored its Kangoos with bespoke racking systems and sanitation equipment by QI Van Systems. 

The business also ordered each van with the factory fitted options of a 68mph speed limiter and the R-Link multimedia system with built-in satellite navigation.

Wessex Water enjoys the reassurance of the four-year/100,000-mile warranty and roadside assistance package that comes as standard with all Renault LCVs. The company’s ownership experience will also be enhanced via the Renault Business Quality Commitment – the manufacturer’s 13-point plan that guarantees customers will receive a class-leading service. 

Designed to keep customers moving no matter what and deliver hassle-free business motoring, the plan covers everything from an impressive warranty and transparent pricing to the availability of courtesy vehicles and a dedicated customer hotline.

Martin Crocker, Head of Fleet, Wessex Water, said: “The Kangoo is a perfect fit for our needs and when its whole life costs, payload and efficiency are taken into consideration, it continues to provide us with an excellent package at a very competitive price.

“Feedback from everyone who drives them is very good and the high level of standard equipment has been particularly well received. With our previous experience of the Kangoo, we also know that the vans will provide us with the reliability that we insist on, our Kangoos being on the road 24/7 and any downtime having a major impact on our operations.”

Nick Tame, Sales Director, Groupe Renault UK, said: “Wessex Water is recognised as having high standards and demands the best, so its confidence in the Renault Kangoo epitomises the excellent proposition that our compact LCV offers to business customers. 

With the Kangoo having a car-like drive, comprehensive specification, varying payloads and lengths, and a choice of diesel and all-electric power, there’s a version that meets the requirements of all kinds of businesses. What’s more, the exceptional choice it presents is complemented with minimal purchase and operating costs.”

The Renault Kangoo range encompasses the Panel Van, the longer Maxi that is also available in Crew Van and Crew Van Cab configurations, and the Z.E, which is Europe’s best-selling all-electric van and which also comes in Panel Van, Crew Van and Crew Van Cab bodystyles. 

Like the Renault Trafic and larger Master, Kangoo is available in Business and Business+ levels of trim that have been specifically developed with the requirements of the business user in mind. The Renault Kangoo range starts from £13,350.00 ex. VAT.

The stylish Kangoo is the entry to the best-selling LCV product offering from the manufacturer’s specialised Renault Pro+ brand, which comprises of a vehicle range, services and a specialist dealer network dedicated to business customers.

After a record year in 2015 for Renault LCV sales in the UK, the brand’s LCVs are proving to be even more popular in 2016. In the first half of the year, Renault van sales in the UK grew by over 20 per cent to 13,435 vehicles, significantly outpacing the van market that grew by 2.5 per cent, according to official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. LCV market share for the first half of 2016 stood at 7 per cent – up 1 percentage point on the same period in 2015. 

Renault’s continued growth in the van market builds upon its best ever performance in the UK last year, with sales up 40 per cent on 2014 to 25,458 units, and also the manufacturer being the best-selling LCV brand in Europe for the 18^th consecutive year.

FIAT Doblò Cargo named Best Small Van at the 2016 Van Fleet World Honours.

• FIAT Doblò Cargo named Best Small Van at the 2016 Van Fleet World Honours  
• Van Fleet World judges were impressed by FIAT Doblò Cargo's wide range of engines, payload and load volumes, practicality, technology and breadth of range
• Priced from £13,245*, the FIAT Doblò Cargo is available in four bodystyles and four specification levels, with five powertrain options

FIAT Professional’s highly successful Doblò Cargo continues to impress the experts, this time securing the prestigious Best Small Van award at the 2016 Van Fleet World Honours announced today at a special ceremony in London.

Winning the Best Small Van award in the Van Fleet World Honours is no stranger to FIAT Professional as Doblò Cargo won the award previously in 2013 and has also won the Best Light Van Award in both 2010 & 2011.

Commenting on the FIAT Doblò Cargo's success, the Van Fleet World judges remarked: “Despite increasingly impressive competition, FIAT Professional’s Doblò Cargo remains the UK’s Best Small Van. Its unrivalled combination of engine choice, payload and load volumes, with no less than four body sizes available and a dropside pick-up, will appeal to the widest possible audience.”

“The face-lifted Doblò Cargo remains a pleasure to drive, with a wide choice of engine outputs and a cab that is bursting with useful technology,” said Van Fleet World editor Dan Gilkes. “However it is the van’s practicality that swung the judges’ decision, as the broad choice of body styles and load capacities deliver an unbeatable choice for fleets.”

Ricky McFarland, Country Manager FIAT Professional UK commented: “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award from the Van Fleet World Judges.”

“This is a very competitive segment and this latest accolade provides further recognition of what is clearly a class-leading van. The FIAT Doblò Cargo's value for money, versatility, practicality and economy has been appreciated by so many of our customers and we’re glad that the judging experts are in agreement too!" 

The Van Fleet World Honours awards are open to all motor manufacturers and the judging process combines the expert opinion of the Van Fleet World editorial team with data provided by a number of leading leasing companies and fleet advisors.

They are presented annually to those motor manufacturers, service companies and individuals who have, in the opinion of the judges, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector.

About the FIAT Doblò:

The fourth-generation FIAT Doblò received a fresh exterior design, improved engine performance and a new "EcoJet" version when it was launched in early 2015. It was also first vehicle to wear the full "FIAT Professional" logo on its tailgate. It is produced in the Tofaşplant in Bursa, Turkey, a World Class Manufacturing Gold Medal winner.

Prices for the FIAT Doblò start at £13,245* and it is available in four bodystyles (Standard, Maxi, XL and Work Up) and four specification levels (Standard, SX, EcoJet and Tecnico) with five powertrain options (1.4 petrol 95hp, 1.3 MultiJet II 90hp, 1.6 MultiJet II 90hp Comfort-Matic, 1.6 MultiJet II 105hp and 2.0 MultiJet 135hp).