Car Moon

Many have tried, but few, if any that is, have succeeded. We’re talking about people who try to imitate the driving style of the Dukes of Hazzard, but who eventually end up in a situation that’s closer to what you’d expect from Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane than Bo and Luke Duke.

In this video, we see the driver of Volkswagen Caddy small van getting off the road to use a knoll as a lifting ramp… Do we need to say more? Watch the clip for yourself after the break (for a better viewing experience we propose playing both videos at the same time).

UK prices for Volkswagen's redesigned Caddy LCV and Caddy Maxi were announced today ahead of the vehicles' November launch in Britain. The 2011 Caddy van starts from £12,100 excluding VAT for the 1.6-liter 75HP TDI model, while the passenger version of the van, called the Caddy Maxi, starts at £14,050 excluding VAT for the entry-level model equipped with a 1.6-liter 102HP TDI engine.

This is Volkswagen's facelifted Caddy compact van that enters the 2011 model year with six new TDI diesel and TSI petrol engines returning up to 21 percent lower fuel consumption, a new nose, an upgraded interior and added standard features.

The exterior facelift includes a completely redesigned front end that draws inspiration from the latest Volkswagen models and re-trimmed tail lamps at the back. Inside, there's a new steering wheel design, a revised instrument cluster and higher-grade materials.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' UK department has released prices and specs for the new Caddy Sportline and Caddy Maxi Sportline models that were first announced last month. The top-of-the-range Caddys are offered with a 140HP 2.0-liter diesel engine mated to a six-speed gearbox with the Sportline sprinting from 0 to 62 mph (100km/h) in 10.1 sec and the Maxi Sportline in 10.5 sec. Both variants feature a top speed of 116 mph or 187 km/h. -Continued

In a world premiere at the IAA 2008 Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, VW presented the Caddy PanAmericana concept study based on the newly introduced Caddy 4MOTION. Think of the PanAmericana as something like a cross between a multipurpose minivan, a commercial van and an SUV. Sounds kinda messed up, but then again, isn’t that what crossovers are all about? Just like the new Caddy 4MOTION, the PanAmericana sports VW’s latest generation all-wheel drive system with electro-hydraulic Haldex clutch and a 105HP 1.9-liter turbo diesel engine that’s matted to a 6-speed manual gearbox. -Continued

Visually, the concept car that’s outfitted with two sliding doors is identified by the 16-inch wheels with all-terrain tires in size AT 215/70 R16, the higher road-clearance, the revised bumpers, the side skirts and protective underbody components in aluminum look as well as the PanAmericana signatures on the engine hood and two-section door-style tailgate. Other mods include the tinted taillights and black-background headlight housings.

In contrast to the PanAmericana’s ‘rugged’ exterior, the vehicle’s cabin features a series of luxury appointments such as the leather seats in natural brown tone finished with light gray stitches and the metallic accents. Additionally, the PanAmericana has been fitted with a set of matching leather pockets in the rear seating area that serve as extra storage compartments.

Aside from the highly-anticipated Pickup truck concept, VW has readied two special variants of its Caddy minivan for the 62nd IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover (public days: 25 September to 2 October). The PanAmericana is a crossover study based on the newly introduced 4-wheel-drive Caddy 4MOTION and it features a higher ground clearance, 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in off-road tires, protective moldings on the side sills and the front and rear bumper and, a special leather trim on the inside. As with the standard Caddy 4MOTION, the PanAmericana is driven by a 105 HP 1.9-liter turbo diesel engine matted to a six-speed manual gearbox. -Continued

Visitors at the 62nd IAA will also get the chance to check out a series-production version of the Caddy Life Style Edition. This range-topping model is equipped with 16-inch alloy wheel rims, a chrome-look radiator grille, lowered running gear, a pull-out loading surface, high-quality interior leather fittings and other extras which serve to distinguish this Caddy from the rest of the range.

Together with the world premier of a new pickup truck concept, Volkswagen will also perform the global debut of the Caddy 4MOTION at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, Germany on September 25. In order to accommodate the Haldex all-wheel-drive system, VW’s engineers modified the Caddy 4MOTION in numerous points compared with the front-wheel drive version. -Continued

In addition to the electronically regulated fourth-generation Haldex coupling, changes include the propshaft, an exhaust system adapted to the rear final drive and propshaft, a newly designed fuel tank and reinforced longitudinal members in the rear.

The Caddy 4MOTION is powered by a four-cylinder turbo diesel engine with a standard particulate filter that delivers an output of 105 PS. The TDI engine is matted to a 6-speed manual gearbox and according to VW, the Caddy 4MOTION consumes 6.6 liters (35.6 US mpg) and 6.7 liters (35.1 US mpg) of diesel fuel per 100 km for the panel van and Life versions respectively.

All versions of the Caddy 4MOTION have a top speed of 164 km/h or 102 mph. Prices for the Caddy 4MOTION will be announced at next week’s IAA show.

Even though the city of Dusseldorf in Germany is not what we’d call a summer resort, many automakers attending this week’s Dusseldorf Caravan Salon (30 August to 7 September), are presenting nautical themed vehicles. After Fiat and its Portofino Concept that you can check out here, Volkswagen’s commercial arm announced that it will present the Caddy Topos Sail design concept which takes its nautical theme to the extreme with the wooden boat deck. -Continued

Based on VW’s smallest commercial vehicle, the Caddy Topo Sail uses design cues from classic yachts and has its multi-functional roof covered with wooden decking surrounded by aluminum roof rails. The driver and passengers can access the wooden boat deck via four matching wooden and aluminum steps in the Caddy’s tailgate. Completing the nautical design theme are wooden inserts along the side of the vehicle and in the rear bumper.

Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle department will exhibit a RHD prototype of its gas-powered Caddy EcoFuel at the “Green-Car-Guide Live! 2008”, a one-day-only Green Motor Show in Liverpool on 12th June showcasing the latest offerings in energy efficient vehicles. The Caddy EcoFuel, which is already offered in mainland Europe is being used for a UK pilot scheme, with sales expected to start in Britain later this year.

The Caddy EcoFuel features a 2.0-litre 109 PS petrol engine that operates primarily on compressed natural gas (or alternatively on biomethane) with a small petrol reserve, giving a total range of around 350 miles or 568 km. The key benefits of operating a CNG-powered vehicle are lower and cleaner emissions, plus reduced fuel costs as CNG costs significantly less than petrol or diesel.