Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK Director Simon Elliott with the 2011 Caddy Racer
The latest addition to the 2011 Volkswagen Racing Cup grid has been unveiled today at the Commercial Vehicle Show at Birmingham’s NEC. The new Caddy Racer will join the highly competitive championship with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ director Simon Elliott once again behind the wheel.
Since its introduction to the championship in 2004, the Caddy Racer has proved to be a true crowd-pleaser, gaining its own group of loyal followers while at the hands of both Elliott and his predecessor, Peter Wyhinny. This latest model will surely be one of the most recognisable vehicles on the grid when they line-up at Oulton Park on 25 April, finished in white and the distinctive orange hue of the RAC, which is continuing its sponsorship for the 2011 season.
Beneath the stylish new exterior of the new Caddy which was launched at the end of 2010, a number of key upgrades have been made to improve performance, handling and the dynamics of the new Caddy Racer over its predecessor. The most significant change over the previous model is the installation of a 2.0-litre petrol engine which develops 270 PS, channelled through the front wheels via a six-speed Volkswagen Racing quick shift gearbox. In addition to this, the rear axle has been uprated to the multi-link system found in the road-going Golf.
Commenting on his new vehicle ahead of the season, Simon Elliott explained: ‘The new Caddy has started life strongly since its launch and has already started winning awards, so the Caddy Racer will hopefully add to the trophy cabinet! We learnt a lot through the developments made with the original Caddy Racer, and initial tests with the new van have been extremely promising. This really is a clear demonstration of Brilliant Made Better – I just can’t wait to get back out on track.’
The Volkswagen Racing Cup starts over the Easter weekend (25 April) at Oulton Park, and will visit some of the most famous circuits around the UK, including Snetterton, Brands Hatch, and Donington Park, plus it incorporates a trip to Zandvoort in the Netherlands, before the season finale at Silverstone in October.
For more information on the new Caddy, and the rest of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range, please call 0800 717131 or visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.
Visit www.vw-cup.co.uk for details on the Volkswagen Racing Cup and the full race calendar for the 2001 season.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION – CADDY RACER
Engine
Engine capacity (litres / cc) 2.0 / 1968
Power output (PS @ rpm) 270 @ 3600
Max torque (Nm @ rpm) 512 @ 3300
Configuration 4 cyl, 16v
Engine management Volkswagen with Superchips mapping
Power transmission
- Drive front-wheel drive
-Gearbox six speed, limited-slip plate differential Volkswagen Racing quick shift gear selector
-Clutch Sachs sintered metal plate
-Exhaust system Milltek Sport bespoke system
Chassis
-Shell production shell, welded-in multi-point roll cage
-Safety Cobra racing seat, six-point Sparco harness plumbed-in fire extinguisher system
-Front suspension Nitron 3-way adjustable race dampers height adjustable adjustable anti-roll bars solid bushes
-Rear suspension multi-link beam suspension Nitron 3-way coil-over race dampers adjustable anti-roll bars solid bushes
-Steering power assisted rack and pinion
-Braking system 355mm ventilated front discs, Production ventilated rear discs, Ferodo 2500 racing pads, ABS disabled, adjustable bias
-Rims 8 x18in Team Dynamics alloy wheels
-Tyres Hankook racing slick tyres
Dimensions and weight
Length / width / height (mm) 4406 / 1794 / 1823
Wheelbase (mm) 2681
Weight 1,300 kg
Performance
Lubricants Fuchs Titan Race
Air filter Air filter
