VW Caravelle to be assembled locally

VW Caravelle to be assembled locally

By Russell Williamson

Volkswagen is set to relaunch itself in the Indonesian market
when the Caravelle goes on sale early next year.

Together with its local joint venture partner, Indomobil's
subsidiary PT Garuda Mataram, Volkswagen will begin selling the
seven-seat people-mover from January 1, 1997.

The vehicle will be built in Indomobil's new manufacturing
plant at Bukit Indal, which is expected to begin production in
October.

The company expects to assemble about 750 cars in 1997, rising
to about 2,000 per year by the end of the century.

The Caravelle will be first vehicle of its kind to be sold in
Indonesia but is expected to be followed in the near future by
Nissan's Serena.

Both the Serena and the Caravelle will be built on the same
production line at Indomobil's factory.

With the Caravelle, Volkswagen will be introducing a new
concept in upmarket vehicles, which combine sedan-car-like
driving characteristics and interior appointments, with the
capability of carrying up to seven passengers in comfort.

The vehicle was first launched in Europe in 1990 and has been
a phenomenal success, with over 700,000 Caravelles and its
commercial variant, the Transporter, sold worldwide so far.

The model to be sold on the Indonesian market is the latest
generation, which received a facelift in Europe earlier this year
along with a number of mechanical improvements.

On the outside, the Caravelle is distinctive, with the engine
sitting in front of the passenger cell to provide extra
protection in the event of a crash.

Many vehicles in this class are often considered inferior in
safety performance, compared with passenger cars, due to their
commercial vehicle origins.

The Caravelle, however, maintains Volkswagen's passenger car
safety reputation, with a body incorporating side impact
protection, front and rear crumple zones and bumpers which can
withstand a four kilometer per hour knock without sustaining any
damage.

Two doors provide access to the front cabin, from where it is
possible to walk through to the rear passenger compartment. A
sliding door is fitted to the side of the Caravelle while rear
access to the luggage area is through a top hinged door.

The Caravelle is powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine
which generates a peak power output of 81kW at 4,500rpm and peak
torque is 190 Nm at 2,200rpm running on unleaded fuel.

Although power and torque are not enormous for this
reasonably-heavy vehicle -- 2650kg -- the engine delivers more
than 180 Nm of torque between 2,000rpm and 4,000rpm, making it a
very flexible engine.

In driving terms, this enables the Caravelle to have plenty of
power on tap for overtaking and emergency situations.

Drive is through the front wheels via a very smooth
electronically-controlled four-speed automatic transmission.

The face-lifted version benefits from an improved front
suspension setup which gives the Caravelle a very car-like
drivability.

Called "Plus suspension" in VW-speak, it provides precise
handling and good feel back through the power assisted steering.

Disc brakes are standard on all four wheels with the
availability of an antilock braking system further enhancing the
vehicle's safety record.

Inside, the Caravelle provides plenty of space, very
comfortably seating seven adults in a two-plus-two-plus-three
seating arrangement.

All the seats are finished in a quality cloth trim and offer
both comfort and support.

Standard equipment in the European models, which is also
likely to find its way into the Indonesian product includes
driver and passenger air bags, air conditioning with six
adjustable air vents catering for all passengers, central locking
and electric mirrors and windows.

The Caravelle is the first of a range of new Volkswagen
vehicles which are expected to enter the Indonesian market over
the next few years, which may include the Golf, the smaller
Corolla sized passenger car.