IT DOESN’T HAVE the street cred of a Holden Sandman, Valiant Drifter or Ford Falcon Sundowner, but the new Volkswagen Caddy Beach could be the new millennium challenger to those 70s icons.
Based on the long-wheelbase Caddy Maxi Trendline, the Caddy Beach adds a swag of features aimed at camping fans.
Practical enough for everyday duties, the Caddy Beach has seating for five and, of vital importance, the rear seats fold forward to create space for a built-in fold-out bed. Following another everything-old-is-new-again, the Caddy Beach recalls the Torana Hatch with a walk-through tent that attaches to the tailgate.
Also included are two folding camping chairs and a table, fold-down tray tables for the rear passengers, window blinds, rechargeable torch and four storage bags mounted on the inside of the rear windows.
Seventeen-inch alloys, bi-Xenon headlights, tinted rear windows, tinted tail lights, black roof rails and special Beach decals complete the picture.
For the technically aware, the infotainment system gets AppConnect as standard, plus a multifunction display and a six-speaker sound system.
The Caddy Beach is powered by the ubiquitous 92kW/220Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine sending power to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.
The Caddy Beach will hit Australian showrooms in Q4 from $44,990 plus on-road costs.