Volkswagen confirms Australian return for its camping-oriented Caddy Beach (Camper) which will lob Down Under before the end of the year.

THE VOLKSWAGEN CADDY CAMPER arrived in Australia in the mid-2000s offering a factory-fit tent that folded down from the lift-up tailgate and fold down rear seat that converted into a bed. Having had one in a previous role as a long-termer, I can attest to the Kombi-esque fun of the thing (editor – Isaac).

At this week’s Volkswagen Crafter launch in New Zealand, Volkswagen Australia confirmed the Caddy Camper was coming back to Australia, this time it’s being called the Caddy Beach, will be based on the Caddy Maxi Trendline and list from $44,990+ORC – up from the standard car’s $31,090+ORC – when it goes on sale in the last quarter of this year. It will come with a seven-speed DSG gearbox, 92kW of power, 220Nm of torque, Front Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist, a six-speaker sound system with full smartphone integration as standard fare.

The features list will also include a catalogue of camping gear – the fold-out bed, a walkthrough tent hanging off the tailgate, two compact folding camp chairs and a table.

There are also tray tables for rear passengers, block-out window curtains, a rechargeable torch, and four storage bags for rear side windows to increase the storage for a road trip.

VW Australia Commercial Vehicles director Carlos Santos said at  the Crafter launch that he was excited to get the Volkswagen brand back into a segment that was very much part of its Australian heritage.

“It’s a big part of our history, I’d like to bring California Beach as well, as soon as we get dual sliding doors, which is coming, we’ll bring that – at the moment as the doors are on the wrong side to reconfigure the interior, I’d love to do it,” he said.

Mr Santos said the Caddy Beach was a good halo product for Volkswagen – “That is good for our brand is, even though you may not do a lot of volume, I think still worthwhile,” he said.

The Caddy is also set up for safety, with autonomous braking (Front Assist with City Emergency Brake), as well as adaptive cruise control, the Lane Assist system and fog lights with cornering function.

The Caddy Beach edition will also have bi-xenon headlights, 17-inch alloys and ‘Beach’ stickers, as well as black roof rails, tinted rear tail-lights and tinted passenger windows. It will be offered in six different colours.

VW Commercial Vehicles marketing manager Nicholas Reid said the Caddy Beach marks the brand’s return to the campervan market in Australia.

“With the iconic and ubiquitous Kombi van, Volkswagen forged a strong connection with travellers and explorers around the world.

“The Caddy Beach continues this tradition with the latest in engineering and technology,” he said.

But Volkswagen isn’t the only brand offering camper ‘conversions’ for the Caddy with German RV brand, VanEssa also offering camper conversions locally.

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About Author

Stuart Martin

Stuart Martin started his legal driving life behind the wheel of a 1976 Jeep ragtop, which he still owns to this day, but his passion for wheeled things was inspired much earlier. Regular work and play has subsequently involved towing, off-roading, the school run and everything in between, with Martin now working freelance as a motoring journalist, contributing to several websites and publications including Practical Motoring.

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