Volkswagen Caddy Maxi LifeIs bigger always better?
There’s often a downside to the ‘crossover’ vehicles that have been so popular in recent years: they become jacks-of-all-trades and masters of none. Case in point is the small seven-seater van. It sounds like a good idea, but often there isn’t enough room to fit seven passengers comfortably, much less their luggage. Volkswagen has listened to this complaint and done a stretch job on its Caddy Life – resulting in the Caddy Maxi Life.
Extended to 4.88m, the Maxi Life has an extra 420mm behind the third row and the remaining 50mm is devoted to leg room. What sets it apart from people movers like the Kia Rondo 7 is its dual-side sliding doors, which allow easy entry and prevent kids (or adults) from opening them into nearby prestige cars. Unfortunately, the window on the sliding doors is a cheap-looking bus-style inset that is difficult to open and close.
The Maxi Life enjoys most electronic options and also has a CD/MP3 with six speakers as standard. Its safety equipment includes front and passenger side airbags, ABS and traction control, but ESC costs $690 more while side and curtain airbags aren’t even an option.
The 1.9-litre TDI diesel engine is a little underpowered – even with the $3000 optional six-speed gearbox, its 77kW of power and 250Nm of torque struggled to shift its weight. That said, fuel consumption figures of 6.2L/100km cannot be faulted.
Without doubt the Caddy Maxi Life is an improvement on the previous model, but its commercial origins, rough ride and handling and unimpressive interior trim and finish prevent it standing out in a growing market segment.
OTHERS IN CLASS
Kia Rondo 7, Toyota Tarago, Hyundai iMax
GREEN VEHICLE RATING
N/A
CRASH TEST RESULTS
N/A
PROS
Room for seven plus luggage
CONS
Commercial feel, no standard ESP, weak engine
PRICE
TDI (man) $34,990
TDI TSG (auto) $37,990
Click here for the full review
Suzuki has produced an excellent sport tourer in the GSX1300R Hayabusa. The bike’s weight gives it a solid feel on the road and the fuel capacity will take you a long way.
A huge amount of power is available, which offers the best of both worlds: super-smooth cruising or a full-on lightning-fast sport machine. Overall a great bike in the sport tourer category.
Pros Fuel tank capacity, fuel consumption, power, styling
Cons Footrest to seat height, handling over mid-corner bumps
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Australia is a large piece of land and motorcyclists who wish to see even a small part of it will need a comfortable touring motorcycle. The BMW K 1200 GT is just that sort of bike. It has plenty of power, excellent handling, ABS brakes, a comfortable ride and a massive range of goodies.
Whenever I have toured I have always taken a sports bike and suffered sore wrists, back and neck. Having ridden the GT for a three-day tour covering around 1200km, I had none of these complaints and could have ridden much further thanks to the perfect engineering BMW has put into this five-star grand tourer.
Pros Range of adjustment, smooth power, comfort, build quality
Cons Slab-sided looks, initial brake feel, leg room for tall riders
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Launched in Sydney, the Vespa GTS300 Super was in its element. Our group got the opportunity to ride around in thick city traffic to experience just how good the new GTS300 Super really is.
With an increased bore and stroke and a displacement of 278cc, the single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine has higher torque (22.3 Nm as opposed to 20 Nm) at lower rpm than the Vespa GTS250ie, which translates to more flexibility for city commuting.
Thanks to the all metal frame and body work the Super handles rough and smooth roads gracefully. A lot of scooters bang and crash over bumps, but the Super soaks them up with ease.
Retro styling changes make the Super look more like Vespas from the ’70s. It’s available in white and black, with a red version coming soon. Priced at $8990 plus dealer and on-road costs, it is sure to be a hot seller within the scooter world.
Pros Retro styling, handling, performance, build quality
Cons Range of colours (until red available)
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Do you want a tough bike? Do you want a muscular bike? Well, the 2009 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle fits the bill and then some.
Packing a massive 240 section rear tyre, twin squared-off exhausts and massive air scoops on the tank, people will run off the streets when you ride past on this bike – it stands out in a crowd of copies.
Huge power is on offer and it propels the rider rapidly towards highway speed limits. When it comes time to slow, the Muscle is well equipped with ABS brakes as standard. The handling, while having some rear wheel steer thanks to the massive rear tyre, is still good for such a bike and has no problems keeping up with more fancied sport-orientated bikes.
My wife now wants me to have one in the garage and when you see this bike in the flesh, you too will be want to sign on the dotted line. It’s TOUGH!
Pros Tough looks, integrated LED indicators, fat rear tyre, stump-pulling power
Cons Standard exhaust note, right-hand exhaust heat, hard seat
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The 2008 KTM 690 Supermoto is a great commuter bike. Easy to ride, plenty of power and a good view from sitting up high all add to the experience.
The upswept pipes look the part, as does the exposed swingarm. If the engine was a little smoother under 3500rpm, and the seat was softer, KTM would be on a winner.
Pros Exposed swingarm, grip, upswept pipes, fuel consumption
Cons Nose cone, engine under 3500rpm, hard seat
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The Yamaha FZ6-N is the perfect all-rounder. It does everything simply and responds well to any situation.
The engine is silky smooth and the handling means it’s a dream on the road. If you are after a bike in the mid-sized naked class, the FZ6-N could be the one.
Pros Simplicity, smoothness, handling, price
Cons Bar width, side stand
Click here for the full review
Open Road e-zine, February 2009.
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