Caddy in focus: The new rear axle

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• Trailing arm-guided rigid axle with Panhard rod
• Using coil rather than leaf springs 
• Agile, space-saving running gear thanks to new rear axle
• Integration of 4MOTION all-wheel drive possible, as is adding CNG tanks for the #caddy TGI or rear cut-outs for ramps
• In the #caddy Cargo Euro pallets now fit between the wheel arches sideways too

Hannover, 28 May 2021 – One highlight in #volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ #caddy is its new rear axle. To optimise ride comfort the previous leaf spring system from the preceding generations has been replaced by a coil spring construction. Despite this it can still carry large payloads. The trailing arm-guided rigid axle with Panhard rod is very space-saving: there is room, for instance, for the differential of the all-wheel-drive #caddy 4MOTION or optionally the CNG tanks of the future alternatively powered #caddy TGI. Further possibilities: carrying wheelchair-bound passengers thanks to being able to retrospectively fit ramps; or loading two Euro pallets in the #caddy Cargo.

The innovative rigid rear axle on the #caddy is a completely new development, incorporating a Panhard rod guided by trailing arms: the very robust rear axle has been designed and balanced in such a way that it offers notably increased agility in all load situations while still providing excellent ride comfort. To optimise ride comfort the previous leaf spring has been replaced by a coil spring construction. Its very rugged #design facilitates a broad range of uses – from family excursions to construction site use.

The compact #design of the top and bottom trailing arms, shock absorbers, axle tube, the aforementioned coil springs and the Panhard rod require minimal space. Combined with an increased track width (1,603 mm in the case of the rear axle on, for instance, the 17-inch running gear), this compact #design facilitates a wider load width. Euro pallets, for instance, now fit into the #caddy Cargo’s load area sideways thanks to the space between the wheel arches being 1.23 metres wide. The axle also permits the integration of different drive system concepts – from conventional front- and all-wheel drive, all the way to alternative drive systems in the new #caddy. In this way custom attachments continue to be possible, including for ramps for use by wheelchair passengers.

The front axle uses the proven McPherson concept, which has however been specifically adapted to the needs of the new #caddy: the Caddy’s new running gear combines the axle layout of an agile, comfortable passenger car with the practical advantages of a commercial vehicle. The front axle combines modified, optimised kinematic linkage with a new steering and shock absorber set-up. On top of this comes an additionally strengthened axle #design for commercial vehicles.

The Caddy’s new steering provides for easier handling. Compared to the previous model, the steering ratio is much more direct. As a result, the required steering angle when manoeuvring, in city traffic and on country roads is noticeably reduced. It now takes just 2.5 rather than the previous three turns of the steering wheel to turn it from its maximum left to its maximum right stop. The turning circle itself is just 11.4 metres.

Through the interplay of the two axles it has been possible with the #caddy running gear to achieve very concrete enhancements in ride comfort and handling. In detail, the #volkswagen Commercial Vehicles engineers have achieved greater transverse rigidity with 30 per cent less longitudinal rigidity and thus shorter steering movement response times and a soft, pleasant spring loading. The suspension roll stiffness has also been improved. Travel-dependent shock absorbing ensures optimal control of the superstructure up to maximum rear axle load.

As in the front-wheel drive #caddy models, the trailing arm-guided rigid axle with Panhard rod is used in the 4MOTION models too. This brings together the good ride and comfort characteristics of the front-wheel powered #caddy variants with the traction advantages of the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. Unlike on the previous model, the all-wheel drive coupling and differential are no longer mounted on the body of the axle, but on the superstructure. In this way it has been possible to significantly reduce the rear axle’s unsprung mass. For the positioning of the all-wheel drive coupling the rear axle has been modified in such a way that the axle beam runs behind the coil springs on the 4MOTION models. The #caddy will be utilising this in the future too for fitting the CNG tanks in models with the TGI drive system.

As mentioned above, the new rear axle also makes it possible to load Euro pallets (1,200 mm x 800 mm) sideways in the back of the #caddy Cargo. In the Maxi version two pallets can be loaded either both sideways or one sideways and one lengthways. A pallet that is going to be loaded sideways can even be loaded or unloaded via the now much wider side sliding door (840 mm).

The fifth generation of the #caddy, a bestseller of which over three million have been made in its first four generations alone, thus has another unique feature and a real highlight for its users: for the enhanced running gear of the new #caddy provides greater comfort for its passengers and new levels of freedom when transporting goods, tools and materials.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ all-rounder, the new #caddy is based on the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB), as is also being used in the Golf. In addition to the running gear with its innovative rear axle and a front axle with more direct steering, numerous other new technologies have been incorporated into the #caddy, making it even more practical, efficient and superior.