What's all this about then?
Diesel, remember that? Eh? Back in the day when a delivery van couldn't pass by without belching out a toxic cloud of grey-black soot? All gone now, eh?
What are you on about?
Well, it says here that Volkswagen is going to start fitting vans with petrol engines again. The Caddy and Caddy Maxi are going to get 1.2 TSI 85hp, 1.0 TSI 102hp and 1.4 TSI 125hp petrol engines, while the Caravelle will get a 2.0-litre TSI 150hp unit.
Prices start from £13,610 (basic RRP excluding VAT) for the most basic petrol Caddy, £15,110 for the 1.2 TSI 84hp five-speed manual Caddy Life and from £28,950 for the 2.0 TSI 150hp six-speed manual Caravelle SE short wheelbase. All three models will be available with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
Is this all a reaction to the big diesel scandal?
Well, Volkswagen isn't explicitly saying so but it seems likely. It'll be interesting to see if the purchase price and running costs make sense for operators, but those who work mostly in town might actually see some benefit in all this.
Neil Briscoe - 15 Dec 2015