- Review Centre
- Motoring
- Car Reviews
- Volkswagen Main Page
- VW Caravelle
Great build quality, luxury spec, spacious, terrific handling for its size and shape. Superb visibility and ergonomic controls.
- Expensive option in competitive market.
The Caravelle is part of the T3 generation which are successors to the original Volkswagen Type 2 line, best known for the VW Beetle inspired classic VW camper van. Caravelles are also known as the Transporter and older models of the type are known as the Kombi van. Vans, camper vans in this line have been sold since the early eighties. The Caravelle is basically larger and heavier than the rounded Beetle sixties camper van and with square corners and lines provides a totally different look. The Caravelle name has been around since 1983 as the luxury option in this VW sector. This luxury people carrier/mini van/camper van aims to offer all the comfort of a luxury car and with plenty of interior space and a luxurious interior thrown in. Caravelles are very well built and drive very well, given its van origins. Diesel and petrol engines are currently offered offering a surprising amount of power. The two main trims, SE and Executive, come with standard electric windows, electric heated mirrors and remote central locking. Both offer decent specification but the Executive offers an even sportier look as well as a whole host of extra gadgets and goodies.
3,189 cc engine
6-speed Tiptronic auto transmission
Max Speed 127mph
Combined Fuel Economy - 22.2mpg
0-62mph - 10.5s
VW announced the Caravelle-based California in this range a few years back, a camper equipped with Volkswagens 5-cylinder 2.5-litre TDI PD engine in either 130 PS or 174 PS form. The California offered an economical, powerful and environmentally friendly product.
Light alloy chairs, table and awning
All models meet euro 4 emissions standard.
Two sleeping areas including one in a private roof area, accessible via an electro-hydraulic raising mechanism.
42-litre fridge
30-litre fresh water container
Twin-gas burners
Radio/cassette system six-disc cd changer and eight-speakers
Parking and auxiliary heaters with remote control
Two folding chairs
Multiple storage cupboards
Double glazing living area.
Anti-lock brake system (abs)
Traction control (tcs)
Engine braking control (ebc)
Electronic stabilisation programme (esp).
European-wide satellite navigation
Climatronic air conditioning
removable towbar
250 cm wide side-mounted awning.
.The Three main engine types from the modern Caravelle range:
130PS TDI PD 2.5 litre, 5 cylinder diesel engine producing 340Nm maximum torque through a 6-speed manual or 6-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox.
174PS TDI PD 2.5 litre, 5 cylinder diesel engine producing 400Nm maximum torque through a 6-speed manual or 6-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox.
235PS V6 3.2 litre, petrol engine producing 315Nm maximum torque through a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox.
No. of cylinders 5 5 6
Cubic capacity, cm3 2,460 2,460 3,189
Output, PS at rpm 130 at 3,500 174 at 3,500 235 at 6,200
Torque, max. Nm/rpm 340/2,000 400/2,000 315/2,950
EU exhaust emission standard EU 4 EU 4 EU 4V [P]6-speed manual gearbox
6-speed Tiptronic auto
Front wheel drive / 6-speed manual gearbox
6-speed Tiptronic auto
Front wheel drive / 6-speed manual gearbox
6-speed Tiptronic auto
Front wheel drive
Alternator
SE 150A 150A 150A
Executive 180A 180A 180A
Battery 95Ah (450A) 95Ah (450A) 95Ah (450A)
Combined Fuel Economy - 34.0 (8.3) 29.7 (9.5) 33.6 (8.4) 29.1 (9.7) 22.2 (12.7)
CO2 emissions 219 251 221 257 303
Acceleration mph - (0-62) 15.3 15.4 12.2 12.3 10.5
Top speed mph - 104 102 117 114 127
Air conditioning with dashboard and B pillar vents, manually controlled
Alloy wheels, Miyato 16" 6.5J x 16
Duo fabric seat covers
Steel spare wheel
Tyres: 215/65 R16
Air conditioning, front and rear Climatronic 3-zone, electronically controlled
Alcantara leather
Seat covers*
Alloy spare wheel
Alloy wheels, LA 16" 7J x 16 (Solace 17" 7J x 17 on 235PS V6)
Centre armrest on rear seat bench
Cruise control
Heated front seats
Heated windscreen washer jets
Instrument panel
Battery voltmeter,
Oil temperature gauge
Silver instrument surrounds
Load sill cover, stainless steel
Privacy glass in rear passenger compartment
Rain sensor and automatic dimming rear view mirror
Side sliding doors, electric
VSide sliding door steps with stainless steel inserts
Tailgate, power latching
Tyres: 235/60 R16 (235/55 R17 on 235PS V6)
Instrument panel includes brake fluid level indicator, brake pad wear indicator, failure of brake hydraulic circuit, coolant temperature display, external temperature display, digital clock, fuel gauge, rev counter, trip computer, speedometer with total mileage and trip counter, warning lamps for handbrake applied, door/tailgate opening and washer water level, visual and acoustic drivers seat belt reminder-Instrument Panel illumination, dimmable.
Radio/in-dash CD player (2 DIN) with 8 speakers
Remote central locking with deadlocking and internal locking button, 2 remote keys supplied
Side sliding doors, power latching
Warning buzzer for lights left on
Windscreen wiper with 2-speed operation, variable intermittent delay and washer/wiper system (including touch/sweep function)
-2 front doors
Body coloured exterior mirror housings and door handles
Body coloured protective side moulding
Bumpers, body coloured
Chrome trim on radiator grille
Clear glass headlights
Covered sliding door guide
Fuel tank, lockable (80 litre capacity)
Heat reflective glass
Jack and tool kit
Mirrors: convex with lower wide angle section on passengers side, spherical with outer wide angle section on drivers side
Self supporting and galvanised full steel body
Side sliding doors left and right with sliding windows
Tailgate
Towing eyes, front screw-in and rear fixed to body
Underbody made up of long and cross members
6 folding silicone-damped grab handles, with coat hooks
Carpet floor covering [P]Interior equipment front.
1 hook on lower dash on front passenger side
1 open storage compartment in dash panel including mobile phone holder
2 drinks holders
2 storage compartments in dash panel beneath outer air vents
2 storage compartments in driver and passenger door, lower holds 1.5 litre bottle
2 sun visors, folding and pivoted
Air vent in drivers door - bottom right
Ashtray
Dash mounted gear lever
Driver and passenger seats with height, lumbar, reach and rake adjustment and armrests
Grab handle at A pillar, left
Illuminated vanity mirror and document pocket in both sun visors
Interior entry steps, illuminated
Interior light and two reading lamps in overhead console, with switch-off delay and contact switches in all doors
Leather covered steering wheel, handbrake grip and manual gear knob
Lockable glove compartment
Storage compartments in outer side of driver and passenger seats
Storage net on lower dash passenger side
Storage pockets on front seat backrests
2 longitudinally adjustable single seats in 1st row, drawers in base, folding, integrated seat belts, removable, swivelling
2 luggage compartment lights
3-seater bench seat in 2nd rear row with bed function, folding backrest, integrated seat belts, removable
4 interior lights and 4 reading lamps
Aluminium decorative inlays in rear
Drinks holders
Interior entry steps, illuminated
Luggage compartment cover (only with 3-seater bench seat, deleted with optional sleep pack).
Multi-functional table with ashtray, drinks holder, running in rails and storage compartments
Rail system for unlimited seat configuration
Roller blinds for side windows
Vented moulded roof trim
4 12V sockets, 1 with cigarette lighter
Air conditioning - see model specific features
B pillar vents
Electric windows
Electric, heated exterior mirrors
Heated rear window and wash/wipe
Heater, fresh air system with dust and pollen filter, 4-stage fresh air blower and air re-circulation flap
Heater, rear
2 reversing lights
3rd brake light
6 lashing points in passenger and luggage compartment
ABS: Anti-lock Braking System
Airbag for driver and passenger with passenger airbag deactivation
Airbags, side and front curtain
Anti-theft protection: alarm with interior (front and passenger compartment) and tow away protection, deactivation switch for both functions on B pillar, breaksafe steering wheel lock, electronic immobiliser Transponder, locking wheel bolts
Active Rollover Protection (ARP), brake assist system, maximum brake support, prefill and fading brake support and Rain Brake Support
Childlocks in rear
Dual tone horn
EBC: Engine Braking Control (MSR)
EBD: Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
EDL: Electronic Differential Lock
ESP: Electronic Stabilisation Programme including First aid bag and warning triangle
Fog lights, front and rear
Halogen main headlights
Headlight range control
Head restraints, height and tilt adjustable, centre rear L type for optimised view
ISOFIX child seat mountings in single seats of passenger compartment and 3-seater bench seat (outer seats)
Laminated glass - windscreen with tinted border between sun visors
Rear door interior release lever
Rear view mirror anti-dazzle function
Safety steering column, height and rake adjustable Seat belts, 3-point inertia reel integrated into rear seats
Seat belts, height adjustment and tensioner for Front seats
Side mounted indicators
TCS: Traction Control System
Running gear.
16" running gear (17" on 235PS V6)
Front and rear axle: anti-roll bars, front and rear, front McPherson strut suspension, independent suspension, rear miniblock springs, telescopic shock absorbers
Hydraulic brake system with ventilated disc brakes and ABS: Anti-lock Braking System
Power steeringV [P] Sports suspension
17ins Solace alloys. 7J x 17 alloy wheels, 235/55 R17 tyres. Fitted as standard on 235PS V6 model. Available optional on other models.16" LA alloy wheels. 7J x 16 alloy wheels with 235/60 R16 tyres. Fitted as standard on Executive. Not available on 235PS V6 model. 16" Miyato alloy wheels. 6.5J x 16 alloy wheels 215/65 R16 C tyres. Fitted standard on SE. Not available 235PS V6 model.
- All seats come with integral three-point inertia reel seat belts and head restraints. Centre head restraint can be lowered for extra visibility. The rear bench can be removed or folded to form a resting/sleeping area. Two optional single seats.
- With folding centre armrest, fitted as standard on the Executive. Trimmed in Alcantara/leather and as option on SE. Leather upholstery option on both models.
- All Caravelle feature alarm system with interior and tow away protection with deactivation switches for both functions on the B pillar. The alarm is activated automatically via central locking via remote keys.
- Standard on the Executive. Electronically controlled 3-zone Climatronic air conditioning. Individual controls for front left, front right and rear compartment. Also features rest function/automatic air re-circulation with air quality sensor.
- Every 2007 Caravelle features side curtain airbags in front compartment to protect occupants in the event of a collision. This is in addition to the standard driver and passenger front airbags. Rear curtain airbags are optional. Automatically dimming rear view mirror. Standard on the Executive the rear view mirror features photocell control, dims automatically when headlights of following vehicles are too bright. Comfortable and supportive seats for driver and front passenger. Ergonomic cab seats feature height, reach, rake and lumbar adjustments as well as two armrests, head restraint. Optional swivelling seats available, but no height adjustment.
- Fitted as standard on the Executive, speeds over 20mph can be set/maintained until brake, clutch are activated. This feature is also available option on Caravelle SE.
- Two 12V sockets positioned in rear passenger compartment in addition to one illuminated 12V socket in the cab and one in rear luggage compartment.
- Powerful fog lights integrated into front bumper and rear light clusters to aid better safer driving when visibility poor.
- Two drinks holders integrated into dashboard/4 drinks holders are contained in multifunctional table in rear passenger compartment.
- Large glove compartment lockable and illuminated. It contains the front passenger airbag deactivation switch. This can be used when carrying a child seat.
