Volkswagen California Ocean - a factory-made motorhome ready to travel

Many Russians love to travel. Since cars have long been available to almost everyone, there is nothing easier than to go away from home.


But not every car will get where you want. Plus, traveling in a standard car is inconvenient. Few people can survive a week of spending the night on the seats, especially if you go with the whole family.

Some people solve the problem radically - they buy caravans. Only these caravaners, as they are called, reduce the already low cross-country ability of cars. It is best to use a motorhome or camper, but this technique is also highly specialized and is not suitable for everyday use.



Volkswagen California is a compromise minibus. It is suitable both as a family car and for multi-day trips. An excellent purchase that will not stand idle under the porch or in the parking lot 11 months a year.

Today we will talk about the current model - Volkswagen T6.1 California Ocean.

How much does this minibus cost

Let's start with the main thing - the price. Volkswagen cars have never been cheap, especially minibuses. Before Russia was subjected to economic sanctions, the T6.1 California Ocean modification cost from 7 million rubles.



Now you won’t be able to find such a car on sale at all, and the price, if you focus on a regular Transporter, should increase by about 2 million, if not more. But Ocean is the most complete camper from Volkswagen. It differs from the Coast and Beach modifications by a number of additional options that make the trip much more comfortable.

Volkswagen T6.1 California Ocean Features:

✅ Autonomous heater
✅ Special canopy awning
✅ Boiler for heating water
✅ Electric lift roof with awning

Plus, the minibus is equipped with a number of comfort options, as befits the “top-end” and most expensive modification.

Appearance

The first thing that draws attention is the two-tone body color of the Volkswagen T6.1 California Ocean. This is a typical American design move that was popular in the 1970s and 80s.



Not always the minibus has a two-tone color - if the client wants a strict monochromatic body, he will get it. Such a car will look solid in everyday life, and if you suddenly want to go on a trip, it is always ready.

The body of the Volkswagen T6.1 California Ocean is made in a sporty minimalist design. LED optics will allow you to feel confident in the dark. The minibus has excellent sound insulation - inside you can talk quietly even at high speeds.

The length of the body is 5 meters with a width of 1,9 m and a wheelbase of 3 m. Outwardly, it seems that the car is large and clumsy, but it feels great even on the narrow streets of ancient European cities.

What does he have inside?

Despite its modest dimensions for a camper, the Volkswagen T6.1 California Ocean is spacious. Inside there are four full-fledged beds, plus, if necessary, there is room for a fifth person on the mattress.



Volkswagen is equipped with a small kitchen with refrigerator, hot and cold water, gas stove. It turns out that if you stock up on food, you can go to some place far from civilization. At the same time, you can eat fully.



The minibus is equipped with an electronic control unit that is able to monitor the status of all vehicle systems. You can program the climate and sleep without fear of freezing, or vice versa, languishing from the heat.



The main problem that the owners of the Volkswagen T6.1 California Ocean complain about is the lack of a shower and toilet. Alas, this is a payment for the compactness and versatility of the model.

Is it suitable for the Siberian winter?

For Russians, the question is whether a minibus is suitable for traveling in the cold season. As practice shows, it is suitable, although there are nuances.

For example, it is unlikely that four of us will spend the night comfortably at sub-zero temperatures. The walls of the tent are made of thin tarpaulin, in order not to freeze, you will have to turn on Webasto at full power.



It is unlikely that passengers in the cabin will sleep comfortably in this mode of operation of the “stove”. It turns out that in winter it is convenient to travel only for two, maximum three people.

By the way, Webasto's diesel fuel consumption pleases - only about 5 liters per night.

Technical features

Under the hood of the Volkswagen T6.1 California Ocean is the "top" engine in the line. This is a 2,0-liter turbodiesel power unit that develops 199 hp. With.

The motor is paired with a seven-speed robotic gearbox and dual clutch. AMT combines the advantages of classic "automatic" and "mechanics". This unit from Volkswagen managed to establish itself as reliable and trouble-free.

The diesel engine is four-cylinder, differs in traction on the bottoms. Acceleration to 100 km/h is achieved in just 11,3 seconds. Even for a minibus, these are excellent indicators, and even more so for a motorhome.



Completed with Volkswagen T6.1 California and other engines - these are diesel engines with 110 or 150 hp. With. These power units are put on more budget versions of minibuses, but Ocean is equipped with only the most powerful engine in the line.

The engine has a low noise level - it works almost without the characteristic diesel rumble. Average fuel consumption is declared at 8,6 liters per 100 kilometers. In the city, this figure does not exceed 10 liters.



California is equipped with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The "top" Ocean modification is found only in the 4x4 version. The passability of a motorhome is limited by ground clearance, but you need to understand that this is not an SUV.



If the minibus owner plans to travel to hard-to-reach places, the manufacturer recommends replacing the stock tires with something universal. If necessary, tires can generally be supplied with “toothy” and off-road tires with a high profile.



Like most of today's top-of-the-line Volkswagens, the Ocean comes with a range of electronic driver assistance options.



The car received a number of security systems, including front and side airbags, automatic body stabilization.

The California Ocean is the perfect van for hobby travelers who can't afford it all the time. The main advantage of the model is its versatility in any conditions. The car will harmoniously look both near the office and on the lake in Karelia or in the steppes of Mongolia.

The only serious drawback of the Volkswagen California Ocean is the cost. But if you want to travel in comfort and be sure that the car will not let you down, this is a fair price for quality and reliability.