CaddyShag: VW Caddy 1.9TDI DSG

well, it was a matter of time i guess... but VW's much vaunted 6-speed DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) has finally made it into a ... Van; a Light Commercial Vehicle, to be precise, in the form of the Caddy.

this may come as a cruel blow to the many GTI/R32/Jetta 2.0TFSI owners out there but it was only a matter of time considering VW is the 'people's car'... and how much more accessible can the brand get than by making this sexy shifting box available to everybody.

the irony: the caddy isn't likely to be bought by the load-lugging workman since it's more lifestyle vehicle than sweat-speckled work-horse.

Chiselled good looks, sports rims all-round and a full complement of disc-brakes are just the tip of the ice-berg.





No HIDs but there's a factory-fit MP3 head-unit also found in the petrol-powered passenger cars, steering wheel adjustable for reach and rake and that 6-speed DSG box (no steering wheel mounted paddle shifters though).



with low to mid range a real knockout, the Caddy easily surprises cars like the Suzuki Swift/Ignis Sport off the lights. the diesel clatter on start-up is quite noticeable though, but the ratios are stacked closely to really let you capitalise on the 1.9L turbodiesel's power-band. Handling is almost car-like and the Caddy is even equipped with ASR (traction control) as standard.



just shy of the 2700mm wheelbase mark, there's ample cargo area in the back. bed, mini-sofa and all sorts of knick-knacks will be easily swallowed up in the cargo area.



Up front, there are plenty of cubby-holes and other cavities to really allow driver and passenger to stow their stuff.

the caddy cruises easily at 110km/h and while the 100km/h sprint is completed in around 13 seconds, the 0-80km/h time for this feisty LCV is easily under 9 seconds.

Fast Facts: VW Caddy 1.9TDI DSG
Engine: 1896cc, 4-cylinder, turbodiesel
Maximum power: 103bhp at 4000rpm
Maximum torque: 250Nm at 1900rpm
Transmission: 6-speed DSG
0-100km/h: 13.3 seconds (0-80km/h: 8.8 seconds)
Top speed: 163km/h
LxBxH: 4405x1802x1833 mm
Wheelbase: 2682mm
Kerbweight: 1510-1628kg
Price: $50,500 (with COE)
Agent: Volkswagen Centre Singapore

Kerbed Again!

*$%@#%!!!

this klutz did it again... after the close encounter of the kerb kind when i first picked up the S2000 some months back, that same rim has been hit by another stray bullet. poor judgement on my part has led to this...



NOW YOU KNOW WHY I NEVER EVER INTEND TO DROP BIG BUCKS ON A SET OF FORGED ALLOY RIMS!

LOL

Taking a Deep Breath : Honda S2000 (AP1) J's Racing Carbon Fibre Air-intake

this just in, a J's Racing Tsuchinko carbon fibre air intake for the S2K. Essentially, a 'snorkel' draws air in from the front of the car into the shielded conical air filter; the gourd-shaped chamber after that keeps air in 'reserve', which helps improve throttle response at stationary/low speeds.



another angle:



The car is breathing a lot better but Im sure it'll improve a lot more with exhaust/manifold mods...:)

Apart from looking good, it sounds great now and the induction roar when VTEC kicks in is a lot more pronounced.

The F20C engine is certainly revving a lot cleaner and happier; 9000rpm never came quicker!

HOWEVER... bear in mind the bonnet WILL NEED to be CUT to accommodate the snorkel, fine if you're running an after-market carbon bonnet, but a bit 'heart-pain' if you're running the stock aluminium bonnet.

for a point of reference to what's new, check out this 'BEFORE' shot:



more gratuitous carbon fibre bits... !



for those who asked, here's a shot of the cut made to the c/f bonnet on the underside... note that only the fibreglass skeleton is cut, not the c/f weave itself:



another angle:

VW EOS 2.0T : Greeting The Dawn

this photo courtesy VW Media


named for the greek goddess of sunrise, the EOS is VW's interpretation of a hard-top convertible. most significant is the roof, which consists of five parts, as well as a generously expansive moonroof. The cabin is otherwise similar to the other cars in VW's stable.


Powered by the same turbocharged 2L found at the heart of the Jetta and Golf GTI, the EOS punches its way to the 100kmh mark quickly enough, but the engine's performance is blunted by the additional weight over the former two cars.

DSG makes for brisk progress and the EOS will make an ideal companion to those who want to pose, yet want a little push to avoid getting any bloodied noses as well! the brakes though, are lacking in feel and seem a little vague at the limits.

It's clear the car needs some tightening up before it goes on sale, as we detected an annoying rattle from the rear with the roof up, but this disappeared when the top came down. Otherwise the EOS is as involving (or UNinvolving) as one would expect as the drive experience feels pretty much the same as any other VW with the turbo'd 2L FSI w/DSG set-up.

cool boudoir chic thanks to the burgundy leather interior:


Rear seats offer true '+2' seating capacity:


the EOS' proportions are perfect and its posterior doesn't look as bottom-heavy as its French rivals, the Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet and Peugeot 307 CC. The drive too, is significantly more involving than the two French marques. But this comes at a price...



25 seconds up and down. trust me, this can feel like an interminably long time when you're trying to beat the traffic light change!



Fast Facts: Volkswagen EOS 2.0T DSG
Engine: 1984cc, 16-valves 4-cylinder
Maximum power: 200bhp at 5100-6000rpm
Maximum torque: 280Nm at 1800-5000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed DSG
0-100km/h: approx. 7.8 seconds
Top speed: 232km/h
LxBxH: 4407x1791x1443mm
Wheelbase: 2578 mm
Kerbweight: 1536-1645kg
Price: $154,800 (with COE)
Agent: Volkswagen Centre Singapore

My Fair Lady : Nissan 350Z

What's new you ask? well... that's a tough question, even for petrolheads like us. the car has been around awhile, but it still continues to turn heads at every junction, even in the nondescript black. motorists and pedestrians alike craned their heads to get a better look at the car.

apart from the much appreciated power hike, the 350z has undergone little cosmetic touches, with a new hood design that recalls the earlier Z cars. it's also what's now under the bonnet that will set hearts a-flutter...

the 350Z is now powered by a VQ35HR engine that churns out 313bhp and 358Nm and the critics who think this car excels in the low rpm band are in for a rude awakening. like VTEC engines, there's actually life above 7000rpm now!

the start-up is great, with a mechanical whirr before the exhausts start belching out a rousing baritone.



on the move, the controls (clutch, steering, gearshift action) are heavy, the gearshift is short and notchy, but slightly vague and not as precise as Honda's efforts. urge from standstill rises like a huge wall of torque; deceptively so even since the power delivery is flat, but press on beyond 7000rpm (7500rpm?) and it hits a second wave that flings you into the license-revoked-for-LIFE type of terminal velocities... or so we hear



and with the Brembo brakes, hauling the car to a halt has never been a simpler affair. the 'stop' pedal offers stupendous feel and is easy to modulate.



other equipment niceties include the integrated monitor that displays sat-nav and reverse camera.

at full pelt, the sound is disappointingly agricultural and gets boomy in the mid-range (from inside the cabin). moreover, the engine feels almost restrained in delivery, but im sure this can quickly be sorted out by bolting on a full titanium exhaust system matched to an appropriate intake system... :)



Fast Facts: Nissan 350Z 6MT
Engine: 3498cc, 24-valves V6
Maximum power: 313bhp at 6800rpm
Maximum torque: 358Nm at 4800rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
0-100km/h: 5.6 seconds
Top speed: 250km/h
LxBxH: 4315x1815x1320mm
Wheelbase: 2650 mm
Kerbweight: 1525kg
Price: $159,000 (with COE)
Agent: Tan Chong Motors, tel: 6466-7711