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

SEAT launches pricing and specification for the new Ateca Trim Level "FR"

• New Ateca FR to add a sporty dimension to SEAT’s hugely successful first SUV range
• UK line-up will feature four engines, including new 2.0 TSI 190. Others are: 1.4 Eco TSI 150 turbo petrol, plus, 2.0 TDI 150 and 2.0 TDI 190 turbo diesels
• 4Drive all-wheel drive featured as standard on all 2.0 litre engines
• FR visually differentiated from other Atecas through sport look combining high gloss black front grille, 18-inch ‘Performance’ alloy wheels, body-colour wheel arch surrounds, unique FR front and rear bumpers, dark-tinted rear windows, side skirts, rear spoiler and aluminium roof rails and door mouldings
• Impressive specification also includes SEAT Drive Profile, plus, full complement of exterior and cabin LED lighting, including multi-colour interior illumination
• FR sporting quality reflected in sports front seats with Alcantara upholstery and progressive steering
• Available to order from 3 July 2017, ahead of UK showroom arrival in August. Priced from £24,960 on-the-road (FR 1.4 Eco TSI 150 PS)

Unveiled this week at the Automobile Barcelona show, SEAT UK is now whetting British customers’ appetites with details of specifications and pricing for the sporty FR addition to its Ateca SUV range.

SEAT’s first SUV has already proved a huge hit, both with UK media and in the marketplace, its sales performance since launch last September helping the brand soar to record heights. The new FR will extend its appeal further with an injection of the sporty style and performance that are at the heart of the Barcelona-based brand.

There is a choice of four powerful and efficient engines – two petrol and two diesel, all of them turbocharged. Entry point is the 1.4 Eco TSI 150 PS, available with six-speed manual or DSG-auto transmission. Well worthy of the FR badge, it takes Ateca from rest to 62 mph in just 8.5 seconds and achieve a 125 mph top speed (manual version). Conversely, its official combined fuel economy and emissions figures are impressive at 52.3 mpg and 123 g/km. The brand new 2.0 TSI 190 PS, debuting in Ateca, is offered exclusively with 4Drive all-wheel drive and DSG transmission. Its statistics are 40.4 mpg combined fuel economy and 0-62mph in only 7.9 seconds.

The 2.0 TDI 150 PS also comes with 4Drive for added traction, posting benchmarks of 0-62 mph in nine seconds exactly and 122 mph maximum, with 55.4 mpg average fuel economy and CO2 emissions at 129 g/km.

Topping out the powertrain options is the 2.0 TDI 190 PS with 4Drive and seven-speed DSG transmission. It harnesses that horsepower to carve a second off the 0-62mph sprint (7.5 seconds), with top speed rising to 132 mph. Being a SEAT engine, maybe it’s no surprise that it has only a modest thirst for fuel – an official 53.3 mpg average, with CO2 at 135 g/km.

Styling and equipment

The Ateca’s cool styling gains a number of features that declare its FR designation, including a high-gloss black front grille, aluminium roof rails, window frames and lower door trim, chrome double tailpipes, body colour wheel arch surrounds, side skirts and a roof spoiler. It rides on 18-inch “Performance” alloys, or optional 19-inch “Exclusive” rims with a machined finish.

The FR is not just about sporty looks; it also delivers rewarding handling with progressive steering that weights up pleasingly at speed. Drivers can adjust performance using the SEAT Drive Profile system, putting the emphasis on eco or sportier response, or tailoring steering, throttle and DSG gear shift settings to their individual preference. 4Drive versions additionally provide off-road and snow modes.

LED lighting is used throughout, including headlights (full and dipped beam), daytime running lights, turn indicators and tail lights, plus the distinctive Ateca silhouette welcome lighting projected on the ground from the door mirrors. In FR guise, the cabin adopts the selectable multi-colour ambient illumination for altering the interior to suit your mood.

The FR is fitted with body-hugging sports front seats with Alcantara upholstery and a grippy leather-trimmed steering wheel. SEAT’s “Technology to Enjoy” ethos is reflected in the inclusion of the Media System Plus, accessed through a quick and simple-to-use eight-inch colour touchscreen. 

The infotainment features include a navigation system, USB/Aux-in/SD card connectivity and SEAT’s Full Link smartphone integration, with Mirror Link, Apple Car Play and Google Android Auto. Further tick-list items include dual-zone climate control, rear-view camera and auto-folding door mirrors.

The Ateca is already firmly at the top of the compact SUV class for safety, having earned the top five-star rating from independent testing organisation Euro NCAP. 

The new FR model’s safety provisions include SEAT’s Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and pedestrian detection, Tiredness Recognition and Hill Hold Control, in addition to a comprehensive array of seven occupant airbags, ISOFIX child seat fixings, ABS, ASR traction control, ESC and the XDS electronic differential lock

The FR specification need only be the start of the story, with a wealth of options available for customers to equip their Ateca to the max. The choice includes advanced driving, convenience and winter packs, a panoramic sunroof, Connectivity Hub with wireless phone charger, Park Assist and an even more sophisticated navigation package with dynamic route guidance.

The new SEAT Ateca FR will be available to order from 3 July 2017, with first deliveries to UK customers expected from October.

On-the-road prices are as follows: -

1.4 Eco TSI 150 PS (manual) - £24,960

1.4 Eco TSI 150PS (DSG auto) - £26,340

2.0 TSI 190 PS 4Drive (DSG auto) - £29,760

2.0 TDI 150 PS 4Drive (manual) - £28,410

2.0 TDI 190 PS 4Drive (DSG auto) - £30,930

Volkswagen launches the next generation match Special Edition Model upto three engines

• New Polo Match Edition will be available at Volkswagen Retailers from 21 December
• Significantly enriched technology and a choice of four engines
• Volkswagen Polo Match Edition prices start at  £13,315 (RRP OTR)

The new Volkswagen Polo Match Edition is packed with technology that adds terrific extra value to one of Volkswagen’s best-selling models.  

The award-winning Polo is the leader in its class thanks to its build quality, smart styling and renowned practicality and these features have been enhanced in the new Polo Match Edition, which will be available to order at Volkswagen Retailers across the UK from 21 December. 

The new model includes Car-Net App-Connect which fully integrates the customer’s smartphone, where compatible, to their Volkswagen Polo via a USB connection.  Depending on the phone, Car-Net App-Connect uses Apple CarPlay, Google Android Auto or MirrorLink to bring the device’s functionality to the car by displaying apps on the infotainment touchscreen.

Car-Net’s App-Connect functionality enables practical services and information to be accessed, and builds on the features of the Composition Media infotainment system.  Selected phone apps such as Spotify and Skype can be operated from the car’s touchscreen, and for smartphones that support Google Android Auto, Google Voice control is available.

Volkswagen has also developed a variety of apps for those customers that use MirrorLink to connect their smartphone to the car.  These include Call & Remind, in which the driver can make a to-do list while stationary in the car, and Cam Connect, where a GoPro® Hero4 camera can be placed in the car and a still image shown on the infotainment screen on demand – perfect for keeping an eye on back-seat occupants.  And the system will even stream video from the camera when the car is moving slowly or is stopped.

The feature count on the Polo Match Edition continues with electrically heated door mirrors, which make life easier and safer on frosty winter mornings.  The body-coloured door mirrors have integrated indicators and they also electronically fold, which adds convenience to every-day motoring.

The Polo Match Edition’s auto-dimming rear-view mirror is a further example of how Volkswagen incorporates driver-friendly technology into its models.  The auto-dimming feature helps to prevent the lights of a car behind from dazzling the driver.  Additionally, an LED rain sensor fitted behind the rear-view mirror will automatically turn on the windscreen wipers in wet weather, while the system will even turn on the rear window wiper when the driver selects reverse gear.

Volkswagen’s Coming/Leaving Home lights make life easier and safer on dark wintery evenings too.  When the driver locks or unlocks the car the dipped-beam headlights, the courtesy lights in the exterior mirrors, the rear lights and the number-plate lighting, all stay on for a short while before they are switched off automatically.  This helps the Polo to illuminate the way to the customer’s front door.

The Polo Match Edition also includes front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, 15-inch ‘Stratford’ alloy wheels and manual air conditioning.

Engine options for the Polo Match Edition start with Volkswagen’s 1.0-litre 60 PS petrol unit, which is alternatively available in 75 PS form.  The 1.2-litre TSI engine has a power output of 90 PS, and is available with a choice of manual or DSG automatic gearboxes.  The Match Edition engine range is completed with the 1.4-litre TDI 75 PS engine, which offers 74.3 mpg* on the combined cycle.

The Volkswagen Polo range starts with the S which, like the Match Edition, features a variety of safety features as standard.  This includes ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and Automatic Post-Collision Braking.  All Polos are also equipped with driver’s and front passenger’s airbags, and a side head airbag system.

Volkswagen Polo Match Edition
Engine	Transmission	No. of doors	Power (PS)	CO₂ (g/km)	OTR Price
1.0	Manual	3	60	108*	£13,315.00
1.0	Manual	5	60	108*	£13,945.00
1.0	Manual	3	75	108*	£13,840.00
1.0	Manual	5	75	108*	£14,470.00
1.2 TSI	Manual	3	90	109*	£14,460.00
1.2 TSI	Manual	5	90	109*	£15,090.00
1.2 TSI	DSG	3	90	109*	£15,835.00
1.2 TSI	DSG	5	90	109*	£16,465.00
1.4 TDI	Manual	3	75	97*	£15,525.00
1.4 TDI	Manual	5	75	97*	£16,155.00

The latest Skoda Octavia not only gets new front and rear look, its gains extra optional equipment as well.

• Connectivity and new infotainment systems with up to 9.2-inch displays
• New seat upholstery, optional ambient lighting with ten selectable colours, newly designed instrument panel and operating controls
• New 'Simply Clever' features such as folding tables and LED lamps
• Comfort options: heated steering wheel, customizable keys

ŠKODA is expanding the equipment range of its bestseller for even greater comfort. The comprehensive upgrade brings new design elements and improved operating solutions to the interior. The infotainment systems, which come from a new generation of devices, have screen sizes of up to 9.2 inches.

The interior of the upgraded ŠKODA Octavia is characterized by an exceptionally generous amount of space and simple elegance. Its horizontally oriented design emphasizes the spaciousness of the width; the lines, surfaces and volumes are geometrically clear. 

On the dashboard, the round instruments are large and easy to read and their new graphics give them an even finer appearance.

ŠKODA presents several innovations in terms of the materials and colours for the interior: The Ambition equipment line features a new black/brown combination; the instrument panel is entirely in black. The other equipment lines are enhanced with the inclusion of new patterns.

In addition, the inlays have been revised. For the equipment lines Style and Laurin & Klement, ŠKODA completes the decorative strips in the doors with ambient lighting as standard. Narrow light guides create subtle lighting that can be regulated in ten colours.

In the compact class, the upgraded ŠKODA Octavia continues to set the benchmark for interior space. Both the hatch and combi versions have 73 millimetres of knee room in the rear. The hatch and Estate models have boot volumes of 590 litres (1580 litres with rear seats folded) and 610/1740 litres respectively. If the backrest of the passenger seat (option for Ambition and Style) is folded down, objects of up to 2.92 meters in length fit into the vehicle.

For the combi, ŠKODA can supply an electric boot door as an option. In addition, there are numerous ‘Simply Clever’ solutions for the luggage compartment, including the variable loading floor (from Ambition up, excluding G-TEC), the multi-function shelf and the luggage net partition. Four bag hooks come as standard.

The interior of the ŠKODA Octavia also features numerous ‘Simply Clever’ solutions and new details have been added to the upgraded model. The bottle holders in the centre tunnel console are shaped so that they interlock with the bottom of PET bottles – which allows them to be opened with one hand. In the boot of the combi there is a removable LED flashlight, which is held in place by a magnet on the body. The front seat backrests can be fitted with folding tables.

There are also two major innovations in the comfort package: the heated steering wheel and three customizable keys. As soon as one driver unlocks the vehicle, their personal settings are initiated. These cover a wide range of operating areas, including driving profile selection, assistance systems, indoor and outdoor lighting, Climatronic, infotainment systems and electrically adjustable seats.

The infotainment program includes the sound systems Swing (series standard) and Bolero, as well as the navigation systems Amundsen and Columbus. All four systems belong to the latest generation of devices with impressively fast operation and easy operation. Typically ŠKODA, their basic functions can be adjusted using physical buttons and controls. The touch displays react to a light touch of the finger rather than pressure. For the Bolero, Amundsen and Columbus systems, the display features a new high-quality glass design.

The Swing sound system provides extensive connectivity, including to the SmartLink+ platform. This is compatible with the standards MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This enables many smartphone apps to be displayed and used through the car’s infotainment system.  In addition, the optional SmartGate feature allows you to retrieve vehicle data from your smartphone and to use it intelligently with specific apps. The Bolero sound system (series standard in the Laurin & Klement equipment line) has a high-resolution 8.0-inch touch-screen in glass design with proximity sensors: When a finger approaches, the operating mode is activated, which allows swiping, scrolling and character input.

The Amundsen navigation system can be used to set up a Wi-Fi hotspot, giving passengers free access to the Internet to surf, stream and access email with their smartphones and tablets. The top navigation system Columbus features integrated Wi-Fi hotspot and a 9.2-inch, 1,280×640-pixel monitor. On request, an LTE module provides the ŠKODA Octavia with high-speed Internet access with download speeds of up to 150 Mbit per second.

Additional components round off the hardware range: Phonebox (from the Ambition line up) that charges your smartphone wirelessly and connects it to the roof antenna. The CANTON sound system (also from Ambition up) integrates eight speakers, including centre speaker on the dashboard and subwoofer in the boot. Table holders, another option, can be attached to the front seats. 230 volt and USB ports can be fitted in the rear if required.