Following on from last year’s California Concept, the all-new campervan arrives in production form
We saw it as a concept at the Caravan Salon Düsseldorf last August (see November issue and our video at motorhome.ma/dusscpv23) – now the new-generation VW California campervan has made its debut in production form and the first deliveries are promised later this year.
The new model introduces important innovations such as sliding doors on both sides, an optional hybrid drivetrain and a touchscreen control panel in the living area, linked to an app. But the biggest news, perhaps, is that the new California is, for the very first time, in no way related to the Transporter van. Instead, the new campervan is based on the Multivan MPV – a passenger car with its roots in Volkswagen’s MQB platform (which has sired many cars from VW, Audi, Seat and Škoda).
As previously, a range of California Beach, Coast and Ocean models will be available. Prices have not been announced but expect an increase over the outgoing T6.1 variants, which range from £61,642 to £81,208 (before options).
REINVENTING A BEST-SELLER
The California is the world’s best-selling campervan, with over 280,000 units built so far, from the first T3 models of the 1980s through T4, T5 and T6 to the T6.1 that has just gone out of production. Like its forebear, the new campervan sits between VW’s smaller Caddy California (without a pop-top) and the larger, high-roof Grand California (based on the Crafter).
All versions of the new California come with a pop-up roof featuring a front window and large front opening, as well as two additional side windows (all with mosquito nets).
Also new are individual back seats instead of a rear bench seat. As the seats slide or remove individually, it is now possible to carry bikes inside.
Last but not least, all new Californias from the Beach Tour upwards are also equipped with a brand-new campervan control unit in the C-pillar. All campervan functions can be controlled and checked via this display, while a novel detail is that all the LED and background lighting in the interior can be switched off at the same time with a brief double tap on one of the numerous light switches.
All new Californias will be built on the long version of the Multivan, which is longer and wider than the T6.1. The new model is 5.17m long (versus 4.90m), while width increases from 1.90m to 1.94m. However, at 1.99m, its height is identical to its predecessor, which mea
