The latest from the forecourts and the factories
New California has two sliding doors
Pop-up roofs and doors that open on both sides will both be standard on the new Volkswagen California, launched at the start of May.
Other innovative features include a plug-in hybrid option, available on all-wheel-drive 4MOTION models.
On all but the most basic Beach, camping features are controlled by a new five-inch colour display on the C-pillar on the passenger side.
Most can also be controlled with a phone, using the California app or via the app in the infotainment system.
In addition, all LED and background lighting in these models can be controlled by a brief double tap on any switch in the interior.
The new vehicle is based on the current long-wheelbase version of VW’s Multivan, and as such, is nearly 27cm longer than its predecessor, at 5.17m. It is also nearly 3cm wider, at 1.94m. But the height with the roof down remains the same, at 1.99m, which means all new models should still be able to get into multistorey car parks.
Volkswagen has dispensed with the traditional rear bench seat, so all rear seats are now individual, with some of them converting into a bed, on the addition of a fold-out mattress stored in the back. The company says this will make it easier to store large items such as bikes in the rear of the ’van.
The new California will be available with a 110kW TDI turbodiesel engine, and a 150kW TSI petrol version or a 180kW 4MOTION plug-in hybrid.
The vehicle will also have five spec versions. Along with the basic Beach – really just a Multivan with a pop-up roof – there’s the Beach Tour, where two of the three seats fold flat to make up the bed with the mattress.
This version includes lighting in the pop-up roof and an additional battery.
The California Beach Camper, the next step up, has a kitchen behind the rear seats, with a gas ring, a cutlery drawer and modular storage.
The Coast and the Ocean are both four-seaters with a permanent side kitchen. Due to the length of the new vehicle, this is narrower than before, but offers the same storage space. Both models come with a 28-litre fresh-water tank and an exterior folding table that can also be used inside as a kitchen extension. Additional specification in the
