To celebrate the launch of the new Volkswagen Caddy van, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles held an exclusive track day at the Silverstone Stowe Circuit with a view to finding out once and for all who is the best behind the wheel a footballer, a cricketer or a darts player.

Sporting legends Les Ferdinand, Darren Gough and James Wade were joined by the former Stig, Ben Collins, for a day of expert driving tuition and competitive time trials to see who the quickest sportsman in a van is.

The competition was heated and all three sports stars were extremely confident. Under the watchful eye of Ben who set a bench mark time, Les, Darren and James were determined to get the best time out the van and be declared the champion. The driving was fierce and the van was pushed to its limits. Watch to find out the results, can any of them beat Ben's time? See who won here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTBppqgNUcc

About Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is a provider of high quality new and used vans.  Our award-winning range includes: the iconic VW Transporter, the California, the Crafter, the Caravelle, the Caddy and Caddy Maxi.

Vans for sale such as used California, used Transporter and used Caravelle models can be found through our network of Volkswagen UK Van Centres.

Our network of UK van rental centres offers VW van hire services to cover a range of requirements from moving house, to keeping your business on the move.

For more information, please visit www.volkswagenpressoffice.co.uk or contact John Rawlings, Press and Public Relations Manager, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles on 01908 601478, 07872 379544 or john.rawlings@vwcv.co.uk

webitpr's social media news release is based on the original Social Media News Release Template from Todd Defren of SHIFT Communications.

Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel aren't the only drivers in the Red Bull Racing Formula One team.  Its other drivers rely on a dependable fleet of vans and people carriers from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for delivering parts to races across Europe, often at short notice, and for taking people to and from airports or events.

Red Bull Racing's fleet of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles includes its smallest and largest vans, the Caddy and Crafter; while for carrying people it has the Caddy Maxi Life and Caravelle.  Both people carriers offer room for seven people and their luggage, and the long wheelbase Transporter shuttle van has space for nine.

As an ambassador and reserve driver for the team, former F1 driver, David Coulthard demonstrated the relationship between Red Bull Racing and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles by taking Volkswagen's Caddy Racer 2.0 TDI, tuned to 280 PS, around the track at Goodwood with a small group of selected media. 

To see David Coulthard driving the Caddy Racer van with BBC Sports reporter Mike Bushell, visit Mike's BBC blog, Bushell's Best Bits.  In addition Channel 5's motoring programme, Fifth Gear, will feature competitive challenges between Coulthard and its presenter, Tiff Needell, in the VW Caddy Racer and a Caddy Sportline in the first episode of its new series on Monday 8 June.

For more information on Volkswagen vans or people carriers, please go to www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk or call 0800 7171317.  Full details of the Volkswagen Racing Cup are available at www.vw-cup.co.uk.

(ends)

About Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is a provider of high quality new and used vans.  Our award-winning range includes: the iconic VW Transporter, the California, the Crafter, the Caravelle, the VW Caddy and Caddy Maxi.

Vans for sale can be found through our network of Volkswagen UK Van Centres by visiting www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/van-centres

Our network of UK van rental centres offers VW van hire services to cover a range of requirements from moving house, to keeping your business on the move.  To find your nearest Volkswagen van rental centre, visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/aftersales/van-rental.

For more information, please visit www.volkswagenpressoffice.co.uk

webitpr's social media news release is based on the original Social Media News Release Template from Todd Defren of SHIFT Communications.

A limited edition, 1:43 scale model of a unique 1965, split-screen Volkswagen Transporter van with special The Who Magic Bus branding will be available to order online at www.volkswagenmerchandise.co.uk or from the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles network of dedicated VW Van Centres from later this week. 

The Who Magic Bus Volkswagen Transporter van was created for a fundraising competition last year organised by UK charity Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) and legendary British rock band, The Who.

Only 1,000 of the 1:43 scale die-cast models of this VW van are being produced, of which 100 model vehicles will be available in the UK, at a retail price of £40.  A donation of €2 from each model sold will go to TCT for children and young people suffering from cancer.

The Who Magic Bus is one of a range of models and toys available from Volkswagen’s Retro Collection of merchandise.  Other items include scale models of the current Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles(www.vwcv.co.uk) range such as the Crafter or Caddy vans, the California campervan (from £13.70), key rings (from £3.90), 1GB USB campervan memory sticks (£15) and a cuddly campervan soft toy (£15).  The vehicle range will expand again later this year with the addition of a classic T1 Samba-Bus.

To find your local Volkswagen Van Centre, or for information of any of the current Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range, please call 0800 717131, or visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.

(ends) 

Notes to editors: 

TCT focuses on the needs of teenagers and young adults with cancer, who often fall between facilities designed to cater for children or the elderly, by providing specialist units in NHS hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities and an environment where teenagers can meet others in a similar situation.  TCT also funds a team to teach young people in schools, colleges and universities about cancer, prevention and healthy living.  Further information is available from www.teenagecancertrust.org.

About Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (www.vwcv.co.uk):

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is a provider of high quality new and used vans.  Our award-winning range includes: the iconic VW Transporter, the California, the Crafter, the Caravelle and the VW Caddy. Vans for sale can be found through our network of UK Van Centres by visiting www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/van-centres  

Our network of UK van rental centres offers VW van hire and camper hire services to cover a range of requirements from moving house, to keeping your business on the move or simply sampling the VW Camper Van experience. To find your nearest VW van rental centre, visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/aftersales/van-rental/  

webitpr's social media news release is based on the original Social Media News Release Template from Todd Defren of SHIFT Communications.

To give customers even better value for money and easier financial budgeting, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has launched competitive Contract Hire and Finance Lease offers for its compact Caddy van, the new Caddy Maxi and its best-selling Transporter van - with prices starting from £185 a month (plus VAT and initial rentals) including free servicing for three years or 30,000 miles. 

 

A difference of just £20 in the monthly payments between the three VW commercial vans (www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk) available with this offer makes them particularly affordable - from £185 a month for a Caddy, £200 a month for a Caddy Maxi and £205 a month for a Transporter. 

 

Van buyers that like to shop around for vehicle financing will find the Volkswagen Contract Hire and Finance Lease rates currently make the Caddy, Caddy Maxi and Transporter less expensive than many rivals.

 

The award-winning Caddy van is the most compact in Volkswagen's commercial vehicle range, with a load volume of 3.2 m³, payload of up to 724 kg, and is available from £10,450 (excluding VAT).

 

The new Caddy Maxi van and window van, launched earlier this year, is the next step up in size and capacity with a load volume of 4.2 m³, payload of up to 800 kg, and available from £12,650 (excluding VAT). 

 

Bigger still, the much-loved VW Transporter offers a choice of lengths and heights, with load volumes ranging from 6.7 m³ to 9.3 m³, payloads from 802 kg to 1,383 kg, and is available from £13,890 (excluding VAT).

 

'We want to make choosing a new VW van easy, sensible and as cost effective as possible,' said Steve Reynolds, Head of Marketing, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

 

'Volkswagen's reputation for durability and competitive whole life costs already make the vans desirable, but the back-up available from a nationwide network of dedicated van centres is more critical to our customers than ever,' he continued.

 

An extensive advertising campaign promoting these finance offers is currently running across local and national press, online and with a series of radio commercials using the distinctive voice of Indiana Jones star Ray Winstone.

 

Full details of these offers and the full range of Volkswagen vans are available from www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk or by calling 0800 717131.  Alternatively, for a test drive text 'VW OFFER' or for a brochure text 'VW BROCHURE' to 86688.

 

(ends)

 

Notes to editors: 

About Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
The VW Transporter van is an iconic vehicle and over 10 million have been produced.  This year the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Transporter and launched the new Transporter Sportline kombi model, which made its official debut at the CV Show.Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range includes the Caddy, Caddy Maxi, Transporter and Crafter van ranges, plus the Caravelle MPV and California campervan, all available from its dedicated, nationwide network of Van Centres in the UK. For full information on the full VW commercial vehicles  range, Contract Hire and Finance Lease options, or to find your nearest retailer, go to www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.

webitpr's social media news release is based on the original Social Media News Release Template from Todd Defren of SHIFT Communications.

Core Facts

• Professional wakeboarder, instructor, TV presenter and commentator, Matt Crowhurst, aged 27, is using a Volkswagen Transporter Sportline van to get him and his boards, boat and jetski to a busy schedule of competitions and festivals this summer.

• The VW Transporter has already taken Matt to both Wakestock venues (Blenheim Palace and Abersoch), and next month the van will be towing his jetski to the Rip Curl Boardmasters festival in Newquay.

• The stylish Transporter Sportline is available as a van with standard and long wheelbases, and now as a fiver-seater kombi as well.  The Sportline range is distinguished by lowered suspension, special 18 inch alloy wheels, chrome side rails, a rear roof spoiler, plus a lower front spoiler and chrome upper and lower front grilles.

• The vehicle interior has the luxury of bespoke leather upholstery, electric windows and door mirrors, as well as a radio/CD and air conditioning for cool sounds and air.  There’s also plenty of performance with a 2.5-litre TDI PD engine with 174 PS that can sprint from zero to 62 mph in 12.2 seconds. 

• The Transporter is Volkswagen’s best-selling van.  Since it was introduced in 1950, over 10 million Transporters have been produced making it one of the most popular vans in the world.

• Full details of the Transporter Sportline are available at http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/transporter   

Quotes

• ‘Volkswagen vans have always had a cult following.  This van really looks the business and is perfect for all my gear – and for sleeping in, if necessary!’ said Matt Crowhurst.

• ‘I can fit all my kit in the van, including boards, wetsuits, clothing, winch and a whole lot more, while still towing my jetski or boat and I have a couple of friends plus their gear onboard for the ride,’ he continued. 

Boilerplate Statements

About Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
The Volkswagen Transporter van is an iconic vehicle and over 10 million have been produced.  This year the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Transporter and launched the new Transporter Sportline kombi model, which made its official debut at the CV Show. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range now includes the Caddy Transporter and Crafter van ranges, plus the Caravelle MPV and California campervan, all available from its dedicated, nationwide network of Van Centres in the UK. For full information on the full VW commercial vehicles  range, or to find your nearest retailer, go to http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/. For all the latest news on any of the vans in the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range visit http://www.vwcv.co.uk/press-releases.

webitpr's social media news release is based on the original Social Media News Release Template from Todd Defren of SHIFT Communications.

Core Facts

• This year, van lovers visiting CamperJam will have the chance to see and buy tickets to win a special 1965 ‘split-screen’ Transporter known as The Who Magic Bus. CamperJam is a weekend event dedicated to owners and lovers of Volkswagen vans and will be held in the beautiful parkland of Weston Park, Staffordshire from 20-22 June.

 

• The van has been donated by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (www.vwcv.co.uk) and liveried by Richard Evans, art director for legendary rock band The Who. This distinctive Volkswagen van is being raffled to raise funds for UK charity, Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT).  The special edition 1965 van features The Who’s famous target logo and Union Jack roof, together with images of the original band members, including Keith Moon and John Entwistle.

 

• Tickets can be purchased from www.thewhomagicbus.com and cost £5 each.  All entrants receive a free download of a previously unreleased live performance of ‘Magic Bus’ by The Who.  Tickets for VW Camper and Commercial’s CamperJam and full information of the weekend’s activities are available from www.camperjam.co.uk.

 

• Inspiration for the Volkswagen “Magic Bus” competition stems from a successful collaboration between The Who and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles last year which resulted in a special live performance by the band at a celebration of 60 years of the Volkswagen Transporter.

 

• TCT, founded in 1990, focuses on the needs of teenagers and young adults with cancer, who often receive inappropriate facilities catering for children or the elderly, by providing specialist units in NHS hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities and an environment where teenagers can meet others in a similar situation.  TCT has built units in London, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Glasgow and Newcastle.  TCT also funds a team to teach young people in schools, colleges and universities about cancer, prevention and healthy living.  Further information is available from www.teenagecancertrust.org.
  
  

Quotes

• Stephan Schaller, Head of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: ‘We really hope that many people will take part in this competition so we can help TCT to support many more teenagers with cancer.’
  

 

• At the launch of the “Magic Bus” van competition, The Who’s Roger Daltrey CBE said: ‘As a long standing patron of TCT, I am delighted to launch this unique competition.  It will help TCT raise essential funds so that we can build more teenage cancer units within the NHS.  The UK is a world leader in providing this support for teenagers with cancer and in 2008 we will open five new units and start building work on a further two.’

Boilerplate Statements

About Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles:

The Volkswagen Transporter van has become an iconic van with over 10 million having been produced.  Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles van range now includes the Caddy, Transporter and Crafter vans, plus the Caravelle MPV and California campervan, all available from its dedicated, nationwide network of Van Centres in the UK. For full information, or to find your nearest retailer, go to www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.

 

About CamperJam

CamperJam is a special event organized by VW Camper and Commercial magazine and dedicated to owners and lovers of the VW Bus and all models and types of Volkswagen vans. The show is designed to offer a chilled out, laid back weekend in the beautiful parkland setting of Weston Park (on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border), where van lovers can to get back to what Volkswagen shows are all about: people and vehicles getting together for a relaxing weekend of friendship and fun. 

webitpr's social media news release is based on the original Social Media News Release Template from Todd Defren of SHIFT Communications.

Core Facts

• UK charity Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT), together with legendary rock band, The Who, are launching a worldwide competition to win a unique 1965 ‘split-screen’ Volkswagen Transporter van with special The Who ‘Magic Bus’ branding.
  
  
• The competition to win the iconic van, provided by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, was launched by Roger Daltrey CBE, The Who frontman and patron of TCT, on Tuesday 8 April at the opening night of the annual TCT week of fund raising gigs at the Royal Albert Hall in London, which includes performances from Madness, Muse, Paul Weller, Joan Armatrading, The Fratellis and The Who. 
  
• This unique Volkswagen van will be on display outside the Royal Albert Hall until the last TCT gig on Sunday 13 April.  It has been signed by The Who’s Roger Daltrey CBE and Pete Townsend, and branded with a unique design by The Who’s art director, Richard Evans, featuring the band’s famous target logo together with images of the original band members, including Keith Moon and John Entwistle.
  
  
• Tickets for the competition are available from www.thewhomagicbus.com and cost £5 each, with all net proceeds being donated to TCT.  All entrants receive a free download of a previously unreleased live performance by The Who of its famous hit ‘Magic Bus.’
  

Quotes

• Stephan Schaller, Head of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: ‘We really hope that many people will take part in this competition so we can help TCT to support many more teenagers with cancer.’
  
  
• Roger Daltrey CBE said: ‘As a long standing Patron of TCT, I am delighted to launch this unique competition.  It will help TCT raise essential funds so that we can build more teenage cancer units within the NHS.  The UK is a world leader in providing this support for teenagers with cancer and in 2008 we will open five new units and start building work on a further two.’
  

Boilerplate Statements

• TCT, founded in 1990, focuses on the needs of teenagers and young adults with cancer, who often receive inappropriate facilities catering for children or the elderly, by providing specialist units in NHS hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities and an environment where teenagers can meet others in a similar situation.  TCT has built units in London, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Glasgow and Newcastle.  TCT also funds a team to teach young people in schools, colleges and universities about cancer, prevention and healthy living.  Further information is available from www.teenagecancertrust.org.
  
  
• The Volkswagen Transporter van is an icon and over 10 million have been produced.  Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range now includes the Caddy, Transporter and Crafter van ranges, plus the Caravelle MPV and California campervan, all available from its dedicated, nationwide network of Van Centres in the UK. For full information, or to find your nearest retailer, go to www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.
  

 

webitpr's social media news release is based on the original Social Media News Release Template from Todd Defren of SHIFT Communications.