Volkswagen showed a new generation of the California camper

The German company Volkswagen presented an updated version of the iconic California camper. The series first appeared in 2003 and continues to be one of the most popular in its class.


The new model received a number of changes, but retained the variety of power plants. The new California will go on sale at the end of August and will be available in three trim levels.

Exterior

The current generation of the camper is built on the VW Multivan platform. This means that car became 27 cm longer than its predecessor, since it was previously based on the Transporter.


Significant changes to the body and its design include sliding doors. Now they are on both sides of the camper. This increases the convenience to a certain extent and adds several usage scenarios in the “tent” state.

The dimensions of the fresh California are as follows:

✅ length - 5 m
✅ width - 1,9 m
✅ height – 1,9 m with the roof folded
✅ wheelbase - 4904 mm
✅ towing capacity – 2 tons

The pop-up roof remained virtually unchanged, and three new colors of fabric trim appeared. The electric drive is still missing in the most “budget” configuration. There is an optional awning and an additional canopy on the second side of the body.

Interior

There are several layout options available for potential buyers to choose from. Some elements were borrowed from the new Multivan. These include the dashboard, as well as the changed position of the gearbox selector.

The latter now sits slightly higher, like the recently introduced seventh Transporter. Will this make it more convenient? We’ll find out from the owners.


The driver and front passenger seats now support 180-degree rotation. The list of innovations also includes a new 5-inch display. It was placed on the rear pillar. From it you can control the lighting, the lifting roof and check the supply of electricity and water.

There are five seats in the cabin, three of them are adjustable, foldable, and, if desired, completely removed. The latter is useful for transporting large cargo or additional conversion of a camper.

There is a pull-out kitchenette in the trunk of the new product. It includes a single burner gas stove, cutlery drawer and small serving space.

Packages

The new California will be available in three trim levels. The initial one was called Beach. The roof in this configuration will have to be raised manually.

The version assumes a sleeping area measuring 2054 by 1137 mm. The width of the parameter is slightly smaller than our “one and a half”. This should be enough for one person who likes space. However, if necessary, you can “fit” two people, depending on your body type.

In the middle of the price list is California Coast. You no longer have to manually raise the roof. The equipment also features three-zone climate control.


In the “Coast” cabin there is already a more “thorough”, by camper standards, kitchen with a stove, refrigerator, sink and a couple of cabinets.

The upper modification received the prefix California Ocean (“California Ocean”). It contains additional options and materials. Thus, there are heated front seats, atmospheric lighting in the kitchen area and on the second “floor”.

The side and rear doors in this configuration are already equipped with an electric drive. The headlight is matrix, and the wheel diameter is increased to 18 inches.

Technical specifications

Volkswagen California is equipped with one of three power plants. The first is a petrol TSI with 201 hp. s., the second is an economical 148-horsepower diesel engine. There was also a hybrid version. Both engines are paired with a DSG robotic gearbox.

The latter received an all-wheel drive system, and the total power of the tandem internal combustion engine and electric motor is 242 hp. With. Unfortunately, data on the power reserve or at least battery capacity has not yet been provided.

Price

Also, Volkswagen has not yet announced official prices. If you believe the rumors, the basic modification of the new California will cost 65 thousand pounds (7,6 million rubles). The top configurations California Coast and California Ocean will be more expensive by 15 and 20 thousand pounds (1,7 and 2,3 million rubles), respectively.