The California is the iconic camper van. After building over 280,000 units of this bestselling model, Volkswagen has revealed its seventh-generation California camper van.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has naturally kept key California details such as the pop-up roof and an interior that is carefully planned down to the smallest detail. And of course, the New California is also the ideal VW bus for everyday use and – from one moment to the next – a camper van for life’s ultimate journeys. All this is now achieved even more successfully with the latest powertrain, assist and infotainment systems and a new camper van architecture.
For the first time ever, all California vehicles will be equipped with two sliding doors as standard – opening up even more versatile options for use. Another premiere in the New California is a plug-in hybrid all-wheel drive system. This means that the camper van temporarily becomes an electric vehicle, which at the same time allows long overall ranges. Pre-sales for the New California and the future of the most successful camper van of all time start in June.
Beach, Coast and Ocean – the ideal camper van for every situation
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will offer the New California as the Beach, Beach Tour, Beach Camper (with a mini-kitchen in the rear) as well as Coast and Ocean versions (each with a full kitchenette on the driver’s side). This means that a complete family of camper vans is once again available to cater to the most varied requirements and life situations. The New California is also one of three pillars of the largest camper van range from any German vehicle manufacturer; it is positioned between the smaller Caddy California and the larger Grand California. Within this overall range, the New California acts is the perfect all-rounder and ideally combines the functions of a versatile VW bus for everyday use and multifunctional camper van.
Always with a pop-up roof, always with two sliding doors
All versions of the New California share the pop-up roof with a front window and large front opening as well as two additional side windows in the bellows (all with mosquito net). Another common feature is the sliding doors on the left and right sides – in the California 6.1, this feature was only available on the front passenger side in the Coast and Ocean equipment packages. In everyday life, the New California can therefore now be loaded and unloaded from both sides. On trips, both sides of the vehicle can also be used as an open-air terrace for the first time. An optional awning can now be ordered for the left or right side to shield against rain or too much sun.
Also new: individual seats instead of a rear bench seat in the rear. In other words, expensive bikes can now also travel inside, and the seats can also be positioned individually according to personal preferences. Last but not least, all New California vehicles from the Beach Tour version upwards are also equipped with a brand-new camper van control unit in the C-pillar on the passenger side. All camper van functions can be controlled and checked via the display. Alternatively, the functions can also be operated via a corresponding in-car app on the infotainment system and the California app on a smartphone. One small technical detail demonstrates just how well thought-out the New California is in all areas: 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 – a feature that is often not even found in luxury hotels.
The Multivan is the state-of-the-art basis for the New California
In technical terms, all New California vehicles are based on the innovative modular transverse matrix (MQB) platform and thus on the current long-wheelbase version of the Multivan. The camper van is 5,173 mm long (predecessor: 4,904 mm); the width without exterior mirrors is 1,941 mm (predecessor: 1,904 mm). At 1,990 mm including the lowered pop-up roof, the height is identical to that of the predecessor, which means it is again suitable for multi-storey car parks.
A long wheelbase of 3,124 mm spans between the axles; this ensures there is even more space on board than in the predecessor. When the roof is closed, the interior height is 1,297 mm; when the pop-up roof is open, this increases to 2,108 mm. Thanks to the MQB platform, a wide range of driver assist systems are available for the New California, providing additional safety and comfort – these range from the oncoming vehicle braking when turning function to Travel Assist, which offers semi-automated driving assistance and thus increases long-distance driving comfort.
The first California with a plug-in hybrid drive plus 4MOTION
A new feature for the California is the new plug-in hybrid drive (eHybrid) with a system output of 180 kW (245 PS). The New California is the first MQB model from the Volkswagen Group to combine a plug-in hybrid drive with the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.
The plug-in hybrid drive allows the New California to be temporarily transformed into an electric vehicle for everyday use. The high combined efficiency of an electric motor and a high-tech TSI (1.5 TSI evo2) also enables very long overall ranges and a maximum trailer weight of up to 2,000 kg. This makes the New California eHybrid 4MOTION the ideal companion for all globetrotters, winter campers and campers with boats or bikes on a trailer.
Three-zone concept
With the New California, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is presenting a new three-zone concept for camp sites thanks to the two sliding doors. The large interior and the spaces to the right and left of the sliding doors merge to create a living space surrounded by nature in the summer.
Zone one – the living area in the New California: Behind the height-adjustable front seats – which can rotate through 180 degrees (from Beach Tour and above) – the entire vehicle interior is an ideal passenger compartment for day-to-day driving, offering the familiar level of flexibility. Thanks to these variable seats, boards and bikes can now easily be transported on board the vehicle. When used as a camper van, the New California’s seating area can quickly be converted into a flat chill-out area or face-to-face seating for shared mealtimes or games. The predecessor’s solid rear bench seat thus makes way for variable individual seats weighing only 24 kg in the New California. Thanks to the pop-up roof, the vehicle offers an impressive maximum headroom of 2,108 mm.
Zones two and three – the terraces in the New California: The sliding door on the right-hand side of the vehicle provides a safe point of entry and exit on the pavement-side of the vehicle, just like in the predecessor. Loading and unloading the vehicle is therefore also easy and safe. On the campsite, this area enhances the feeling of life in the great outdoors, just like in the former California 6.1. The highlight, however, is that the New California also has a sliding door on the driver side, which opens up to create an additional exterior space.
Since the kitchen and the fridge – which can also be accessed from the outside – are located on this side, this area will most likely be used for meals or whiling away the evening hours – almost like a terrace. In order to maximise variability, the awning can therefore be ordered for either the right or left side of the vehicle. If the kitchenette side is used for the awning, for example, a sun sail can be set up on the right to open up this area for playing or reading in the shade. There is no doubt that the option to use the vehicle as a VW Bus for day-to-day driving or as a versatile camper van for leisure has now been enhanced even further thanks to the two sliding doors.