Australia’s cheapest campervan coming
Volkswagen Caddy Beach camper from $45K breaks cover at LeisurefestIt’s got little more than a double bed and some extra storage, but a campervan will soon be available direct from your local Volkswagen dealer.
Displayed at the recent Melbourne Leisurefest at Sandown Racecourse, the Volkswagen Caddy Beach camper will be priced from $44,990 before on-road costs when it officially goes on sale later this year, making it a cheaper entry-level campervan than Jayco’s cut-price Freedom, based on a Toyota Hiace.
However, unlike the Freedom, you won’t be able to cook or run water inside the Caddy Beach camper, unless you BYO some portable equipment, making it more suitable for week-end getaways than longer trips.
Based on the latest Volkswagen Caddy commercial van with 92kW/220Nm four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and 7-speed DSG gearbox, the Caddy Beach camper includes a fold-up and removable double bed squeezed into the narrow rear section, along with removable storage bags around the rear windows, block-out curtains for all glass including the windscreen, and a 2.3m x 2.0m ventilation grille for the right sliding door window.
Other Caddy Beach extras include a walk-through tailgate tent with window, a mini rechargeable torch, two folding camp chairs and a camp table, ‘Beach’ exterior decals and 17in Canyon alloy wheels with an alloy spare.
The five-seat Caddy van on which the Beach Caddy is based is equipped with the latest safety features including stability and traction control, front, side and rear curtain airbags, adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning assist.
Luxuries include a leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel, six-speaker infotainment system with smart phone compatibility, and there's a choice of seven exterior colours including the Sandstore Yellow Metallic of the display vehicle.
Build your own Rockton Concept
Also on display on the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles stand at Leisurefest was a striking white and black ‘Rockton Concept’ make-over of Volkswagen’s bigger Transporter LWB TDI400 van.
Powered by a 132kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, with seven-speed DSG transmission and four-wheel drive platform, the Rockton Concept was packed with factory options including a 3200kg GVM upgrade, Appearance and Comfort package, sat nav, second sliding door and battery, fog lights and rear view camera.
It was also loaded with after-market add-ons, including underbody protection, rock sliders, lift kit, mud tyres, a roof platform with fuel, recovery planks, shovel and spare tyre holders, and a kitchen module unit with integrated bed from German RV brand VanEssa.
Like Mercedes-Benz with its Marco Polo camper offering, the Caddy Beach Camper marks a return to the campervan market for Volkswagen Australia, with the California factory campervan launched in Europe earlier this year also on the local distributor’s radar.
“(The) Rockton is a concept only and is not a turn-key proposition with dealership,” explained Volkswagen Group Australia’s Public Relations & Brand Experience Manager, Kurt McGuiness
“That’s not to say you couldn’t modify one to mirror that specification.
“(The) California is of interest – we do see some customer interest in campervans, and would like to expand on our offering in that space next year,” he said.
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