Adding the X Factor: Sportline Limited Edition X Model Introduced

Volkswagen’s dynamic Sportline van range is proving more successful than ever. Despite the current economic climate, Sportline sales are already ahead of this time last year, and if success continues at the same rate, boosted by the introduction this week of a Transporter Sportline Limited Edition X model, sales are predicted to be over 30 per cent ahead of 2008.

Part of this great performance is thanks to the addition of the Caddy and Caddy Maxi Sportline models in late 2008, which are already about to exceed their sales forecast for 2009, plus the five-seat Transporter Sportline kombi model, also introduced last year, which has instantly become the most popular model in the range this year.

There will only be 150 of the Transporter Sportline Limited Edition X models, and they will be available in short and long wheelbase panel van or short wheelbase kombi. Each vehicle will be individually numbered, with a certificate for the owner.

In addition to the standard Transporter Sportline specification of 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome grilles and side sills, leather seats and front and rear spoilers, the Transporter Sportline X models gain distinctive, chrome and black ‘Dakar’ alloy wheels, ‘leather pack’ (leather steering wheel and gear lever), specially designed black and blue leather seats with limited edition numbered tag, Sportline floor mats, and rear parking sensors. There is a choice of two metallic paint colours – Reflex Silver, and for the first time for the Sportline range, Shadow Blue.

This unique specification and distinctive appearance is available for only £500 more than the equivalent Transporter Sportline T30, 174 PS, 2.5-litre TDI PD, with basic retail prices (including metallic paint) of £25,065 for the short wheelbase panel van, £25,545 for the long wheelbase panel van, and £26,805 for the kombi.

‘The success of the Sportline range proves that our customers still want a van that stands out from the crowd and creates a premium image,’ said Steve Reynolds, Head of Marketing, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

The Transporter Sportline Limited Edition X is available to order now, with first deliveries expected with customers and at Volkswagen Van Centres in early October. Full details of the Sportline range and local Van Centres are available from www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.

High Quality and Residuals make the Transporter a Double Winner

The Volkswagen Transporter van has been described as ‘head and shoulders’ above its rivals by the judges who chose it as the Best Medium Van in the inaugural Fleet Van Awards 2008, while the latest issue of Commercial Motor magazine has named the Transporter winner of a Medium Van group test against five rivals, with particular praise for its quality and fuel economy.

‘In such a tough category, the winner had to have a supremely strong offering. But there was no doubt in the judges’ minds that one van stood head and shoulders above the rest, with superb build quality, road manners and residual values – the Volkswagen Transporter,’ said the judges of the Fleet Van Awards 2008.

The unsuccessful contenders compared against the Transporter included the Ford Transit, Vauxhall Vivaro, Mercedes-Benz Vito and Citroën Dispatch.

‘In these difficult economic times, this award is a great help to van buyers,’ said Simon Elliott, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. ‘Choosing a van is not just about the purchase price, but also its quality, durability and competitive whole-life costs. Buying a Volkswagen van also includes the reassuring back-up of a dedicated Van Centre network and fully trained, professional staff,’ he continued.

In its group test of medium vans, Commercial Motor magazine praised the Volkswagen Transporter T30 TDI PD 130 PS, saying: ‘It comes as no surprise that its main strength is in the quality of its construction and design – something the manufacturer is noted for – and this is evident not just in the overall build, but in the way everything works together. The interior was the highest scoring in the group. And on fuel economy it also comes top.’

The Transporter range offers load volumes from 5.8 m³ to 9.3 m³, payloads from 802 kg to 1,282 kg, short and long wheelbase, low, medium or high roof and four diesel engines from 84 PS to 174 PS. Basic retail prices start from £14,480 (excluding VAT) with contract hire or finance lease currently available from £205 a month with three years free servicing. It is the best-selling Volkswagen van in the UK and most of Europe, and one of the most popular vans ever with over 10 million produced since 1950.

New Caddy Sportline Models add Excitment to the Range.

The stylish new Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Sportline panel van makes its show debut at Interbuild 2008, at the NEC from 26 to 30 October.

The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles stand in Hall 4 also features its best-selling van, the Transporter, fitted with a Bott racking system, plus a Crafter Tipper from the Volkswagen Engineered to go™ range of conversions, and a Crafter panel van fitted with a Supertrucks glass frail carrier.

The new Caddy Maxi Sportline and the smaller Caddy Sportline, were announced last month and join the existing Transporter Sportline (short and long wheelbase panel vans and five-seater kombi) to expand the Volkswagen Sportline range to five models.

Volkswagen’s stylish Sportline range is designed for builders and contractors who want a van that stands out from the crowd with swift performance to match.

The eye-catching exterior of the Caddy Maxi Sportline includes: chrome side rails and front grilles, lower front spoiler with integrated fog lights, rear roof spoiler, body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and door handles, plus unique 17-inch six-spoke alloy wheels with Sportline centre logo. Under the bonnet, a 2.0-litre TDI PD engine can deliver a 0 to 62mph time of 10.5 seconds and 45.6 mpg on the combined cycle.

The interior is special too, with bespoke black Italian leather upholstery with red stitching, micro-perforated red centre panels and embroidered Sportline logo, plus electric windows, ‘Climatic’ air conditioning, a radio/CD and electrically operated and heated door mirrors. The load area has a payload of 724 kg and volume of 4.2 m³.

Prices for the new Caddy Maxi Sportline were announced this week, with a basic retail price (excluding VAT) of £18,280. Full details of the Sportline range are available from www.volkswagensportline.co.uk.

‘Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles offers a great range of vehicles for the building industry, with strong residual values and the back-up of a dedicated, nationwide Van Centre network with fully trained staff used to dealing with customers in all trades,’ said Simon Elliott, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

For more details of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, or to find your nearest Volkswagen Van Centre, visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.

VW Commercial Vehicles UK expands Sportline range with the Caddy.

The success of the Transporter Sportline series in the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK line up has spurred the marketing team to introduce the new Caddy Sportline and Caddy Maxi Sportline vans.

I just wish Volkswagen Australia could bring the Sportline series Down Under.

Heres the Press Release..............



INTRODUCING THE NEW CADDY AND CADDY MAXI SPORTLINE

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has released the first images of two exciting new models in its stylish Sportline range – the Caddy Sportline and Caddy Maxi Sportline vans, set to go on sale next month.

They join the existing Transporter Sportline panel van (short and long wheelbase) and Transporter Sportline kombi to make a range of five models in Volkswagen’s dynamic Sportline range. Each vehicle combines aggressive yet tasteful styling additions while retaining the versatility for which the vehicles are renowned to provide customers with a vehicle that’s equally suited to commercial or leisure applications.

Full details of the specification and prices will be announced in October, but as the preview photographs indicate the distinctive styling of the Caddy Sportline and Caddy Maxi Sportline includes alloy wheels, a lower front spoiler with fog lights, chrome upper and lower grilles, chrome side rails, body coloured bumpers and door mirror housings, plus a rear roof spoiler.

‘We’re excited by the potential for the Caddy Sportline and Caddy Sportline in the small and medium-sized van market,’ said Gemma Cox, Product Manager, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

‘Judging by the popularity of the Transporter Sportline with customers wanting to create a distinctive and dynamic image for them and their business, we’re sure the Caddy Sportline and Caddy Maxi Sportline will be just as successful,’ she continued.