Volkswagen Problems

Few vehicles have had the impact on the market the small VW van has had. In less than three years the Caddy has gone from zero to hero and now dominates the small van market segment. If it had happened in the passenger car market it would have been splashed across the front pages of our newspapers, but because it happened in the commercial vehicle arena it barely rates a mention.The Caddy was launched late in 2004, a year the Holden Combo was the dominant class leader, but less than three years later the Caddy is the dominant player in the segment with more than 40 per cent of sales. It’s not surprising given that it brought a number of new things to the segment, namely a diesel engine, but it is surprising given that it is clearly the most expensive small van on offer. The Caddy has blown the theory that small van buyers buy on price alone right out of the water.MODEL WATCH The Caddy washed up on these shores at the end of 2004; too late to have an impact on the market that year. But its influence was soon being felt as it raced towards market leadership. It went against conventional wisdom, which had it that small van buyers were only interested in price and they wouldn’t fork out any more than they had to for a van that had all the bells and whistles. Well, they did. This year to date VW has shifted 1061 Caddys out of a total of 2502 small vans sold in total. Holden’s Combo is clinging to second place with sales of 488, but only just.The Caddy had a good start in that it was based on VW’s popular Golf. From the cabin forward it was the same as the Golf; it looked the same, and was the same, but from the cabin back it was all new for the purpose of carrying cargo.The wheelbase was 104 mm longer than the Golf’s, with the extra length grafted in behind the cabin where it could be used to its maximum advantage. New van sheetmetal was grafted onto the extended platform to create a useful local box able to swallow a class-leading 3.2 cubic metres or 750 kg of cargo.The cargo could be loaded through rear barn doors that opened through 180 degrees, or a kerbside sliding door. Inside, the cargo zone floor was flat for easy loading, there were six eyes for securing the load, and a couple of lights for illuminating the area at night. Underneath leaf springs gave it the capacity to handle the load.One of the keys to the Caddy’s remarkable success was its diesel engine; the only diesel engine in the class. With fuel prices on the rise when it arrived it’s perhaps no surprise the Caddy was so enthusiastically received. Sales of the diesel engine now account for three-quarters of all Caddys sold.The 1.9-litre direct injection turbo diesel boasts 77 kW at 4000 revs and 250 Nm at 1900 revs, but perhaps most importantly will return 6 L/100 km. While fuel economy is perhaps front and centre in the minds of those who buy the diesel Caddy, its performance and drivability are also very impressive. The alternative engine is a 1.6-litre fuel-injected petrol engine that produces 75 kW at 5600 revs and 148 Nm at 3800 revs.At launch the standard transmission was a five-speed manual, but VW added the option of its six-speed DSG automated manual shift gearbox earlier this year to satisfy the needs of those who wanted an automatic transmission. Many small vans are driven by young, sometimes female, drivers who often don’t have much experience with manual gearboxes so there’s a significant demand for a self-shifting gearbox.The compact size of the Caddy makes it perfect for companies that need to access tight locations, particularly in cities, where its compact dimensions and easy maneuverability, along with its tight 11.1-metre turning circle come to the fore.The Caddy lacks nothing in equipment either, with a long list of standard features, including air-conditioning, power steering, ABS brakes, traction control, remote central locking, engine immobiliser, power windows and mirrors, CD player, and the safety of a driver’s airbag.IN THE SHOP It’s early days for the Caddy so there isn’t a lot to report on its reliability. Owners say they have had virtually no trouble with them so far, although most have only done 25,000-30,000 km to date. All owners are in agreement that the diesel engine is very economical. They also applaud the Caddy’s driving ease, and its compact dimensions that make it easy to squeeze into tight spots. The DSG gearbox needs to be approached with caution. It’s a relatively complex piece of gear and hasn’t been on the market very long so it’s too early to comment on its reliability and durability.IN A CRASH Vans generally get little attention from carmakers and as a result often lack the sort of safety systems fitted to most, if not all, passenger cars. That particularly applies to the Japanese vans, which are notoriously lacking in safety features. The European vans, however, boast some of the best safety systems going around, and the Caddy is no exception. Its passenger car-like handling boosts primary safety, a flow on from the Golf, while ABS anti-skid brakes and traction control add to its safety package. The Caddy’s secondary safety is also good with a driver’s airbag fitted as standard equipment.OWNERS SAY Dennis and Vicki Cleghorn wanted another van for their growing boarding kennel and cattery business, but they didn’t need a large van like their Vito. They chose a diesel Caddy with the DSG gearbox and are satisfied they made the right choice. Their Caddy is used primarily to pickup dogs and cats from their owners, and return them when the owners come home. As such it has to squeeze into tight spots, often in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, so its compact dimensions are beneficial. It’s mostly driven by women so being car-like is an advantage, as is the DSG transmission that makes it like the cars they normally drive. There’s been no problem to date and Dennis is happy with the 7 L/100 km he’s getting from it.Raj Prashar looked at all the small vans before settling on the Caddy for his printing business. Prashar was prepared to pay the price premium for the fuel economy – he gets 6-7 L/100 km – of the 1.9-litre turbo diesel and the safety features, like ABS and traction control, the Caddy comes with. “It drives like a car, the fuel economy of the diesel is fantastic, and it’s very safe,” he said. “It’s based on the Golf and has every safety feature you could imagine, just like the Golf.” Prashar’s Caddy is used for delivering printing jobs to clients, and the small size is perfect for the task.Locksmith Ron Roberts wanted to cut his fuel bills when he went shopping for a van to replace his ageing, and thirsty Toyota Town Aces. After considering all the small vans on offer Roberts bought five Caddys, which are used as mobile service vans by his technicians. He chose the Caddy for its value-for-money and the fuel economy of the diesel engine. The compact size also played a part, with his technicians needing to get into some tight squeezes in the city and suburbs when they go out on jobs. So far they’ve accumulated around 25,000 km each without any problem. Importantly for Roberts they’re getting around 6.5 L/100 km, and have managed to cut his fuel bill in half “I would have no hesitation buying more,” Roberts said.AT THE PUMP VW claimed the diesel Caddy would do 6 L/100 km, and owners are reporting between six and seven in average round town use.LOOK FOR • good looks make good impression• easy shape to dress up with graphics• easy to drive• economical diesel engine• auto option if desired• class leading cargo capacityTHE BOTTOM LINE Safe and sound van choice with an economical diesel engineRATING 90/100

Mini cars are supposed to be cheap and cheerful, or at least they were when VW launched the Polo back in 1996. Back then you handed over $14,990 and drove away in a small car with no more to pay.They came with few frills, their purpose in life was to provide bare bones transport that was a bit better than catching the bus. They weren’t supposed to be comfortable, fun to drive and have features, but than along came VW with the Polo and a new concept in small car motoring. On home turf the little VW competed at all levels of the small car segment, but when it arrived here it was loaded with features, which put it right at the top end of the class.It was part of VW’s local market positioning policy that was designed to create a prestige image for the brand. No matter which segment you cared to look at the relevant VW model was positioned at the upper end of it. In short the VW Polo was a prestige mini car.MODEL WATCH When the first Polo arrived here in 1996 it was already an old model in Europe having been launched two years earlier when it was hailed as the European small car of the year.With a price tag a tick under $20,000 it cost almost half as much again as the average mini car at the time. Not only did it put it in a sub-class of its own, it was competing price wise with models in the bigger small car class. VW reasoned that there were people out there who would spend more on a smaller well-equipped and built car than they would on a larger car with fewer frills.Like most mini cars the five-door Polo hatch was a rather upright device with its alloy wheels placed at the corners to maximize the interior space available to accommodate four adults and their baggage. While its shape was functional it wasn’t at the expense of its looks. It remained a cute little car that had a personality of its own.Inside it was light and airy with enough room to comfortably seat four adults, five at a pinch, although it was a tight squeeze. The seating position was upright and the seats were typically German, hard and a little like sitting on a board, but there was generous head and elbowroom, and ample legroom, for a car of its dimensions. The front seats could be adjusted for height and rake, and the rear seat could be split and folded flat for extra flexibility in carrying large of odd-shaped packages.The dash was typical VW, functional rather than stylish, but all controls fell nicely to hand and were easy to use. Everything about the interior, from cloth trim to the plastics used, gave a sense of quality, which was reinforced by the fit and finish.There was just the one engine offered at launch, a single overhead camshaft 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit, which made it the biggest engine in the class. With fuel injection, it put out 55 kW and 128 Nm, but needed premium unleaded to perform at its best. A makeover in 2000 saw the engine shrink to 1.4 litres. The new double overhead camshaft unit put out similar performance to the old 1.6-litre engine with 55 kW and 126 Nm. A major update in 2002 brought fresh styling and a three-door hatch for the first time, while 2003 saw a double overhead camshaft 1.6-litre engine added to the range.The transmission choices were a five-speed manual and a four-speed auto.On the road the Polo was a zippy little car with plenty of get up and go, no doubt due to the 1.6-litre engine. If you preferred to roll along comfortably with the traffic it would do it, but if you wanted some fun at the wheel it could be stirred along without losing its poise.IN THE SHOP The Polo has a quality feel about it, from the solid ‘thunk’ when the doors close to the fit and finish of the plastics inside. It all suggests a long life and little trouble, and that’s what owners report.Make the usual checks for a service record. VW servicing tends to be expensive and many owners choose to take their cars elsewhere to have them serviced so check carefully to be confident that it has been well serviced by someone who knows what they’re doing. The engines have a belt turning the camshafts so make sure that’s been serviced at the appropriate time.When driving listen carefully for any noises coming from the engine, and make sure the auto transmission engages gear smoothly and without hesitation. On a manual gearbox note when the clutch takes up and any reluctance to engage gears, which may indicate a clutch replacement is near.Also inspect the body to signs of a bingle. All doors, and the hatch, should open and close smoothly, and any mismatching of the paint would suggest a repair has been made.IN A CRASH An agile chassis and responsive steering are a good start to getting out of trouble when faced with a crash, but with airbags for the driver and passenger the Polo is a sound safe bet.AT THE PUMP The Polo is a fuel-friendly little car that will return on average 7.5-8.5 L/100 km around town.OWNERS SAY Nadine McLean’s friends and family were shocked when she swapped her VS Holden Commodore for a six-month-old 2004 VW Polo Elite automatic in 2005, but she loves it. She says she had never considered buying a VW until she got into a friend’s Golf and loved the quality feel of the interior. She says the Polo runs like a dream, is great on fuel, and is easy to park, even in tight spaces. Her only complaints are a tight door handle that requires some force to operate, a skipping CD player, and the cost of servicing, which she says is “unbelievably expensive”.Twenty-one-year-old Vanessa says the Polo is the perfect “chick’s” car. She owns a 2000 Polo hatch that has done 80,500 km and “absolutely loves” it. Vanessa says it's easy to drive and park, and has been reliable, economical, and looks new even though it’s now seven years old. The downside, she says, is that it’s a little underpowered with a full complement of passengers.LOOK FOR • Cute styling• High level of equipment• Reassuring handling• modest performance from 1.4-litre engine• good build quality• generally robust and reliableTHE BOTTOM LINE A light and responsive little car that’s ideal for those who want more in their small car motoring life.RATING 80/100

And there is likely to be more of it so with all the top resorts reporting big falls of crisp fresh white stuff, enthusiasts are dusting of their ski gear and talking snow talk.Carsguide this week takes a look at some of the newer off-roaders and others we think are some of the more desirable partners in snow.NISSAN DUALIS Price: From $28,990IT is a big seller overseas, but the compact Dualis has been slow to take off with buyers here.But it is a competent snow companion. It's not too big, nor too small, has composed on road manners and reasonable soft-road ability.In keeping with the current crop of smaller off-roaders, the Dualis has a wagon-style design, upright driving position and cabin that will swallow a decent amount of gear.The rear seats split fold 60/40 and the four-wheel drive system has a lock function that splits drive 50/50 front and rear when the going gets tough at lower speeds.The Dualis is powered by a 102kW/198Nm 2.0-litre four that delivers acceptable, but not outstanding performance.The Ti gets standard stability control, six airbags and heated leather front seats.Tick: Compact styling.Cross: Still relatively unknown. VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN Price: From $33,990THE Tiguan is essentially a grown up Golf and takes on all the attributes of its smaller brother, adding all-wheel drive into the mix with a choice of 2.0-litre petrol or turbo-diesel engines.It's slightly longer than the Golf and comes with the 4Motion Haldex all-wheel drive system.There is no low range but the Tig will get you out of most trouble in the snow.One of the impressive things about this off-roader is its handling. Anyone familiar with the Golf will be perfectly at home.Like all VW's the Tiguan is well equipped and gets standard stability control, six airbags and optional hill-descent system.Roof rails are standard and you will need them for a luggage pod because boot space is limited. However, the rear seats do fold almost flat. If you specify leather, the front seats are heated.Tick: Badge and handling.Cross: Luggage space and firm ride. SUBARU FORESTER Price: From $30,990LIKE the previous model, the Forester is a top seller and popular among skiers.The new-generation wagon answers the criticism of limited luggage and rear seat legroom by being bigger and even more practical.However, by growing 90mm in wheelbase and up in overall size the Forester has lost some of that on-road precision that marked the previous model as a standout. Some aspects of the cabin, like the dashboard execution, are not of the quality we expect from Subaru either.Pluses are its size and 2.5-litre boxer four cylinder engines. Subaru build quality is generally good too, as is the constant all-wheel drive system.The Forester has a five-star crash rating and raft of safety features that includes anti-skid brakes, stability control and brace of airbags. Manual Foresters get hill-start assist, which stops the car rolling backwards while first gear is engaged.Tick: It's a Subbie.Cross: Soggy SUV feel. RENAULT KOLEOS Price: From $29,990TO dismiss the Koleos as just a French car over the top of Nissan mechanicals is missing the point.The Koleos is well executed, solid and safe. It has six airbags, stability control and hazard lights that come on after an emergency stop.The "All-Mode 4x4i" all-wheel drive versions also get hill-start assist and hill-descent control.In auto mode, the torque split between the front and rear is automatically determined by the amount of available grip.Entry models are two-wheel drive while all-wheel drive buyers get a choice of the smooth Renault-sourced 2.0-litre dCi turbo diesel or 2.5-litre Nissan-sourced petrol four cylinder.There's plenty of room. The rear centre armrest is removable to allow skis to be pushed through and there are storage bins under the front seats and rear floor.Like the Tiguan, the range topping models with leather get heated front seats.Tick: Better looking than an X-Trail.Cross: Renault badge. AUDI Q5 Price: From: $59,900IT seems that just about any vehicle Audi launches at the moment is a sellout.The Q5 is one of them.Smaller than a Q7, the Q5 has the same off-road attributes in a smaller sharply styled package with good luggage space via the 40/20/40 split rear seats and optional cargo barrier that separates luggage.Two petrol and two turbo diesels are available and the S-tronic seven-speed gearbox contributes to good fuel figures.Audi's permanent quattro all-wheel drive system splits torque 40/60 front and rear, which gives the car relatively neutral handling.For those looking for something bigger, there's the A6 Allroad and the Q7.Unfortunately Audi is becoming just like its German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz when it comes to equipment.Tick: Space and diesel.Cross: Expensive options. FORD TERRITORY Price: From $39,490THE Territory has just undergone a recent update to bring it into line with the rest of the Ford range.However, the cabin remains largely the same, and that's not a bad thing. It's good for a family and has seven-seater capacity.The Territory's cabin is well thought out and there is lots of storage space.Buyers have a choice of four AWD models or three rear-drive models.Stability control is standard, as are four airbags and anti-skid brakes.The TS and Ghia four-wheel drive models get seven seats as standard. Mum and Dad will also appreciate the standard DVD player in the Ghia.The reversible rear-load floor and compartment for storing wet items is handy.Tick: Practical and good looking.Cross: Getting on despite update. VOLVO XC60 Price: From $57,950THE XC60 is one of the best handling Volvo wagons around and one of the most attractive.The new City Safety feature is more than just a gimmick. The system applies the brakes if you are about to rear-end another car in low-speed situations up to 30km/h.Other Volvo strengths are the lane change warning system and blind-spot warning system. Volvo seats are renown for their comfort. 40/20/40 split rear seat is practical.There is a choice of either the 2.4-litre D5 turbo-diesel, which is about to be upgraded to a twin-turbo for better economy and efficiency, or the 3.0-litre turbo petrol six.Tick: Styling and equipment.Cross: Rattly diesel. LEXUS RX350 Price: From $81,900.THE RX350 has grown slightly, which translates into more interior room.This wagon, like all Lexus models, is packed with equipment that is optional on its rivals like satellite navigation, power rear hatch and rear reversing camera.The Sports Luxury gets active headlights that follow the curve of the road, plus a heads-up display.The safety package consists of stability control with cooperative steering function (VSC+), traction control, anti-skid brakes, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.There is also, hill-start assist, 10 airbags and a first-aid kit.The rear seats split 40/20/40 and there is a wet-storage area in the luggage load floor. Thule luggage pods are also available.Tick: Standard equipment.Cross: Looks bloated. MAZDA CX9 Price: From $51,990It looks big and feels big but once under way, the CX9 shrink-wraps around you.It's well sorted on the road, has a host of safety gear and with seven seats, has plenty of room for the family.The cabin quality is better than the CX9 too.The 204kW/366Nm 3.7-litre V6 has plenty of poke but slurps petrol like a celebrity lining up for a free drink during Melbourne Cup week.The 60/40 split fold rear seats can be released from the luggage area.Tick: Rear seating, quality.Cross: Fuel economy. TOYOTA PRADOPrice: From $48,600THE Prado is the ideal family load-lugger if you need serious space and room for the family.It comes with eight seats and long-range fuel tank of 180 litres.The full-time 4WD system has a low-range setting for heavy off-roading.However only the higher spec Prados get standard stability control, anti-skid brakes, hill-descent control and six airbags as standard so it pays to check the fineprint.GXL, VX and Grande buyers get foglights and roof rails with satellite navigation and height-adjustable air suspension standard only on the top-of-the-range Grande.Tick: Standard and GX lack standard safety gear.Cross: Clunky styling. NISSAN MURANO Price: From $45,990THE previous-generation Murano was a sleeper.In a lineup dominated by the Navara and Patrol, it never really stood out other than a competent family wagon and its soft curves alienated many potential buyers.But Nissan hopes to change that with the new-generation Murano.The styling is sharper, the 191kW/336Nm 3.5-litre V6 a sweet engine that delivers good fuel economy. The packaging is good. The automatic All Mode 4x4-i all-wheel drive system can distribute torque on demand to where its needed.The luxury Ti gets all the fruit, from navigation system to heated front seats, reversing camera, automatic rear hatch and Bose sound system. The 60/40 split rear seats on both the ST and Ti can be flipped forward from the back of the car.Tick: Engine, equipment.Cross: Cheese-cutter grille. RANGE ROVER SPORT Price: From $90,900THE Range Rover brand has a strong following and is the preferred luxury chariot for seriously well-heeled snowgoers.Like the bigger Range Rover the Sport gets the nifty "Terrain Response" off-road system which means you just have to twist the switch to get the required off-road mode.The Range Rover Sport has real off-road capability but we don't think too many owners would ever go bush bashing in the leather-line luxury off-roader, particularly with the stylish 20-inch wheels available some models.The 65/35 split rear seats also have folding cushions and the full-size spare is easily accessible under the car. However, some of the bigger wheel/tyre options make do with a spacesaver.Tick: Luxury.Cross: Reliability.