As mentioned last year, the all-new Volkswagen California is based on the Multivan and the full line-up will soon be revealed. A range of trims and powertrains will be offered, with prices yet to be revealed.
VW has built more than 200,000 Californias. The new version of the camper carries over the features from the concept shown last year, including twin sliding doors and a built-in tablet for the van’s interior functions.
Unlike the last model that was based on the Transporter, this shares mechanicals with the Multivan. It is 269mm longer this time around. The look is familiar, as are two-tone paint options, seen with Multivan. The top-spec Coast and Ocean models feature a small kitchenette with a one-ring gas hob.
All versions have the same dual-screen dashboard layout as the Volkswagen Multivan MPV. The central display has adjacent buttons that are used to operate the pop-up roof. On the other side is a dash-mounted gear lever, allowing a walk-through to the cabin. There are two seats up front but they can swivel 180 degrees when the California comes to a stop.
In the UK, the California Beach is the entry-level with five seats and a manual pop-up roof. All models get a raised bed in the roof that measures 2054mm x 1137mm.
The second row features three individual chairs that slide and fold independently. When folded they serve as a table. The seats can also be removed for longer items such as bikes or surfboards.
The Beach gets a ‘compact mini-kitchen’ with a small gas hob, cutlery drawer and storage module. Standard spec includes 16-inch alloy wheels and LED lights, plus safety assistance kit like traffic-sign recognition, Park Assist and a rear-view camera.
Next up is the California Coast, which also gets a kitchenette with toughened-glass worktop and gas ring hob, a sink, cabinets and a fridge. The fresh water inlet is now housed in the back of the van rather than alongside the external power socket. That’s possibly to prevent owners filling their water tank with diesel, or vice versa.
The Coast has seating for four, though owners can fit a pair of extra chairs in the boot if they so choose. Coast models get larger 17-inch wheels, three-zone climate control and an electro-hydraulic pop-up roof.
The third model, the California Ocean, gets “top-of-the-range cabin comfort”, with sustainable fabrics, embroidered ‘California’ detailing and heated front seats. There’s also ambient lighting in the doors, kitchen and pop-up roof.
Discover Pro Navigation system with real-time traffic information and route planning are standard, while there are electric sliding doors and a powered tailgate, 18-inch wheels and matrix-LED lights.
There’s also a five-inch iPad-like panel in the C-pillar for operating the roof mechanism and the interior lights. It details the van’s systems, such as fresh and waste water levels, plus the charge of the spare battery. Campers can live off grid for almost five days before needing to reconnect.
The small screen is mirrored in the van’s smartphone app, so the owner can control things from in bed. Except for climate control, apparently.
Engines include a 2.0-litre TDI diesel and a 2.0-litre TSI petrol, both front-wheel drive. Later, an all-wheel drive PHEV is coming. Expect second-generation plug-in technology with a 21kWh battery, meaning up to 100km of EV running to a charge. This version will tow up to two tonnes.
Plans for a Volkswagen ID. Buzz-based camper are still in the pipeline.
The new California will go on sale in Europe soon.
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