A Volkswagen Caddy Maxi has set a new world record by travelling 9,630 miles non-stop across the Transeurasia route from the Atlantic coast in Portugal to the Pacific coast in Russia in eight days, 13 hours and 30 minutes.

The Transeurasia is the world’s longest west-east route on one continent, which took the Caddy Maxi from Portugal through Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and on to more than 3,000 miles of challenging, poor quality roads in Russia.

Drivers, Matthias Göttenauer and Andreas Renz, were the first team to traverse the Transeurasia against the clock, measured using a GPS transmitter fitted to the vehicle. The Guinness Book of Records rules state that only two people may travel in the same vehicle at all times.

‘The Caddy’s comfort, reliability and robust construction made it the third member of our team,’ said Renz, while co-driver Göttenauer added: ‘The fact that we completed this difficult route in record time speaks volumes for Volkswagen’s quality.’

The Caddy Maxi had the benefit of Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive transmission, and impressed the drivers with its off-road abilities on the rough gravel and muddy tracks on some of the poor quality roads in Russia. 

Volkswagen’s 4MOTION transmission is already offered in the UK on the Transporter range and California campervan, and there are plans to make the system available on Caddy and Caddy Maxi models next year. 

The Caddy Maxi is available as a window van, panel van and ‘Life’ people carrier with seven seats.  Full details are available from www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.