BEST CAMPERVAN INNOVATION
Over 260,000 California campervans have been sold over a 35-year period, making it the world’s most successful campervan. Sales of the current T6.1 generation show no signs of abating but regulations will soon bring an end to production of the Transporter in this form, so Volkswagen has had to develop a new model. Many expected it to be a copy and paste conversion of the new panel van to be launched in 2024, which is a joint development with Ford. Who would have blamed VW for not messing with what is clearly a winning formula?
It must have taken big balls to redesign such a successful product to such a degree but the California Concept was the talk of this year’s Caravan Salon Düsseldorf, where it made its world première. Yes, it said ‘Concept’ on the side but it’s the industry’s worst kept secret that the model is destined for production next year, with little changing except that word being peeled off!
The all-new California is scheduled to be produced in-house at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Hanover factory, where T7 Multivans will become campers. That’s the first surprise but one that brings with it the potential choice of petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid powertrains.
As the Multivan was designed as a people-carrier, it has twin sliding doors and this marks the first change in the California’s design. The kitchen juts out partway across the nearside door, but you can still access the vehicle this way – that’s a big plus for UK buyers, who previously had just a sliding door on the ‘wrong’ side.
The kitchen itself has changed considerably, too. There’s now a choice of gas or electric (induction) cooking, while the fridge is now a drawer-style unit at th
