The Caddy Maxi EcoFuel “study”













Just like the shorter Caddy EcoFuel, which was once again the bestselling natural gas-powered vehicle in Germany in 2007, the 47-centimetre longer Caddy Maxi EcoFuel also has a quasi-monovalent engine concept. This means that the 80 kW / 109 PS 2.0 l four-cylinder engine has a high compression ratio of 13.5:1 to ensure that it makes the optimal use of energy when running on natural gas. However, it can also run on petrol, as shown. Thanks to the extended wheelbase, the vehicle can hold 37 kilograms of natural gas. When running on natural gas alone, the seven-seater has a range of some 570 kilometres.

However, if there is not enough natural gas left to take you to one of the 1,500 natural gas filling stations in Europe, the engine can also run on petrol. The switch takes place automatically and the engine management system compensates for the high compression by delaying the ignition timing and reducing the throttle valve setting. The driver is notified that the vehicle is running on petrol in the cockpit. Combined with the 13-litre petrol tank, the vehicle has a total range of 700 kilometres.

In purely visual terms, the study, which is closely based on the series production model, cannot be distinguished from the conventionally-powered Caddy Maxi Life. The fuel tanks are integrated into the rear end of the vehicle as part of a space-saving underbody concept, therefore affecting neither variability nor load volume. At 4.88 metres in length, the Caddy EcoFuel also has an enormous maximum load volume of 3,700 litres. Up to seven people can also be carried on three standard rows of seats, travelling in maximum comfort. The luggage compartment still has a volume of 530 litres even when all the seats are in use. The second row of seats can be folded and tilted; the third row of seats can be removed completely, increasing the load volume to 1,350 litres. 700-millimetre wide and 1,108-millimetre high sliding doors make it easy to get into the Caddy Maxi Life. Optional asymmetrical rear wing doors are also available in place of the standard tailgate.

Caddy BlueMotion




Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is presenting an economic and environmentally-friendly model with the Caddy BlueMotion. Initially shown at the IAA International Motor Show as a study, the BlueMotion has now been dressed up for series production. The standard fuel consumption in the Caddy BlueMotion, which is powered by a 77 kW / 105 PS TDI and has a diesel particulate filter as standard, has also been reduced by 0.6 litres to 5.7 litres of diesel through numerous technical and aerodynamic measures. This figure corresponds to CO2 emissions of 149 g/km (down by 18 g/km).