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.