Caddy gets air suspension by MR Car Design

[jnrdavo]

Widely used a commercial vehicle in Europe, the Volkswagen Caddy is an unlikely suspect for tuning firms.


Volkswagen Caddy Maxi by MR Car Design

And it's no wonder since the Golf V (facelifted) based chassis it uses is equipped with a leaf-sprung rigid rear axle as opposed to the "modern" four-wheel independent suspension introduced in the Golf V. But that hasn't stopped MR Car Design from taking the high roof combi and slamming it down to the ground. A daunting task indeed, but the clever team at MR Car Design's tuning partner Reil Performance found a few shortcuts to ease the pain of the conversion.

First, the tuning firm from Erftstadt, Germany started with a gleaming silver Caddy Life Maxi as their canvass. It is a long wheelbase version trimmed as a passenger vehicle from the factory. But the really clever part comes from an exploitation in the Caddy being ABE (general operating permission) and UBB (clearance certificate) approved from VW. This means that the Caddy can be transformed quite easily for people with disabilities via a retrofitted air suspension for the front and rear axles. This air suspension is also suitable for craftsmen with extreme load needs who require auto leveling. The system can be adjusted manually or automatically while on the go. Add a set of Rotiform-alloy wheels (8.5 x 19 inches) with 225/35-19 tires and the job is complete.

Stay tuned as MR Car Design are setting up to tune the Volkswagen Amarok pickup truck with the same kind of treatment.

[source: worldcarfans.com]

[Lams]

thanks Stu. The car in the picture is a SWB and nto a Maxi
I too looked at air suspension for the rear of mine to go with the KW coilover kit, it can be done but a bit of custom fab is required. I'd be interested to see how MR Car Design has done theirs!

[jnrdavo]

yeah mate... It look the part, but a bugger for normal driving (crap roads, speed humps etc!)

[Lams]

I was looking at it coz with 7 people onboard the rear was nearly sitting on bump stops! Mine is nowhere near that low - they would've had to relocate the bump stops on that one

[jnrdavo]

7 people on board

[Old Timer]

Is that air suspension able to be adjusted like the Cayenne? That would be good going low on the open road and lifted for around town or rougher roads.