Volkswagen Caddy BlueMotion 2010 Van Review
In the case of Volkswagen’s Bluemotion range of vehicles, then blue isn't quite as "green" as you might think or were originally led to believe. Confused? Join the club.
If you think blue means green, then you’re only half right. In the case of Volkswagen’s Bluemotion range of vehicles, then they’re not quite as green as you might think or were originally led to believe. That’s because Volkswagen have watered down the Blue in Bluemotion and called it Bluemotion Technology. Confused? Join the club. The Editor gets all philosophical on us – he’ll be wearing cardigans next!
When originally launched, the Bluemotion label tagged on to some VW models indicated some serious technological advances under the paintwork. Primarily, the use of a regenerative braking system which meant that a smaller alternator could be used. And because it was smaller, it would be less of a drain on engine power.
But if you think that has been included in the Bluemotion Technology Caddy, forget it. It’s not there. So you can’t bore your mates over the canteen table at lunch times with tales of ‘mine’s smaller than yours but it can last longer’. The big problem here is that the Caddy is a commercial vehicle and therefore the power requirements and vehicle use are rather different to passenger cars.
Hence the ‘Technology’ bit added to the end of the ‘Bluemotion’ label. You don’t get the fancy kit, just some tinkering around the edges. A sort of halfway shade between blue and green, if you see what I mean. In others words, this is a VW Caddy Aquamarinemotion.
Don’t go writing it off though. In keeping with the theme, the technical bods have come up with a relatively simple spec that cuts emissions and improves fuel consumption by 10 per cent without sacrificing any of the van’s practicality. And to make it even more palatable, there are a few additional creature comforts included in the extra 950 quid being asked.
Although this Caddy uses the same 102.5 bhp (104 PS) 1.9 litre TDI engine as the regular van, the five speed gearbox has different ratios. It doesn’t drive any differently, and unless you drive around the Lake or Peak District constantly loaded to the maximum 641 kg payload, you won’t notice any difference in performance.
Emissions have been cut by 10 g/km through the use of a DPF (diesel particulate filter) but this doesn’t seem to affect engine response either, so the physical changes to the drivetrain have not affected practicality in any real way.
Topping off the package is a set of Michelin low rolling resistance tyres, with Volkswagen reckoning that the whole things adds up to a significant fuel saving of just over 10 per cent.
The only item I have an issue with is the company’s addition of a tyre repair kit and compressor to save the weight of a spare wheel. Considering this is an LCV, I don’t know if I’d agree with that, but then I’m ‘old school’, I prefer the security of a spare wheel, jack and spanner to the current fad for ‘pssst and blow’. Besides, not all aerosol puncture repair kits can cope with sidewall damage or tread tears.
What I do like is the inclusion of a trip computer, although to my mind, the addition of cruise control is more gimmicky than useful in such a vehicle. If you’re doing long trips then I can see the advantages, but this is a just a runabout as opposed to a parcel express vehicle.
Otherwise, it’s standard Caddy. The seats are good and the cab is acceptably comfy while the half height solid bulkhead with mesh top half means that the rear glazed doors can be fully utilised improving all round visibility. Also the fact that the driver’s seat is height adjustable means that even the long legged can be reasonably well accommodated.
On the Road
The van got a good work out in the Yorkshire Dales where I went in search of steep hills and tight corners. Even in such extremes, the van did not feel compromised in any way for the sake of ‘going green’.
And that surely is the way to public acceptability. The public is not yet ready to accept wholesale the change of lifestyle that the environmentalists wish we would adopt. On that basis, it is easier for the Government to crack down hard on manufacturers than on the general public. In fact, if we all drove a bit more carefully and thoughtfully, we could do more on a personal basis for saving fuel and cutting emissions than almost all the current technology can achieve.
Perhaps this is where Volkswagen have got it right. Bluemotion technology makes a measurable difference without compromising practical use. The ‘carrot and stick’ approach if you like, and by that I mean add a little extra understandable technology and charge a little extra for it. At £950 more than the standard van, potential customers are being asked to think about the options - spend a little more and make a difference, or just carry on ignoring the science.
Performance is not noticeably impaired, and drivers can feel a little more smug. They are doing their bit, albeit a very small bit, but surely that is the way to get the message across.
The current Caddy also helps to reinforce that message with its comfortable seats, roomy interior, plenty of storage and really nice driving characteristics. Going green without the pain.
It’s so good in fact, the driver won’t feel that he or she is making any compromises at all!