VW unveils revamped California campervan with added features and enhancements
The new Volkswagen California is based not on the Transporter but on the "passenger" Multivan. Despite this, the latest incarnation of the iconic campervan is not a step backward but rather an enhancement of an already excellent idea.
Building a delivery van costs money, so Volkswagen teamed up with Ford for the new Transporter project. It will also be offered in a Caravelle version (a well-equipped business van), but the Germans were somewhat reluctant to share the California version, developed over the years, with Ford. It’s not surprising – the Transit also has a camping-ready version called Nugget, and its previous incarnations were prepared by Westfalia.
A radical decision was made – the new California was built on the Multivan, which uses a "passenger" chassis. Although it might seem narrower visually, it is actually 2 inches wider. Most importantly, even with a roof bed, it stands at 78 inches, so it should handle underground parking lots without any issues, meaning just like its predecessor, the California can be used daily.
The biggest change – which also influenced the interior design – is the installation of two sliding doors, which significantly increased the cabin's usability and makes it easier to find a convenient spot at the campsite. Interestingly, you can order two awnings or, depending on your preference, mount it on the chosen side. The Germans claim it’s not possible (because unlocking it with a key must be done from the front of the vehicle), but it's the same part with the same serial number.
The kitchen itself has been shortened to allow exiting the car, and the refrigerator is located at the very bottom of the module. A small table can be opened outside, but if it rains, there's no problem in attaching it at a right angle to the burner inside the cabin (similar to the large table hidden in the trunk). By eliminating the handbrake lever, the front row seats are easier to rotate – but you still have to "hide" the steering wheel.
The cabinets (formerly a wardrobe) are smaller, but apparently, they utilized the experience of previous California users and installed a cloth storage compartment in the right rear corner, as well as a large compartment on the rear window. The clean water inlet (with a funnel) and the gas bottle compartment, located on the left side of the trunk, are also easier to handle. The camping system display (lighting, battery status, water) is on the right C-pillar, but the vehicle leveling is still accessible from the front, now on the multimedia display.
One of the problems for lighter individuals was closing the trunk lid. Now you can't mount a bicycle rack there (it will go on the hitch instead), but the trunk lid with a compartment for chairs (which now have a lock to prevent folding) will require just pressing one button to latch.
And another important point: the rear two-person bench has been replaced by individual seats, each weighing 53 pounds. So if you want, for example, to transport skis or an electric bike but still have the option to set up a bed below, you just need to remove the middle seat. No more nightmare of hauling an entire bench out of the car and losing usability at the campsite.
No matter how advanced the changes, it’s still the good old California. The build quality is top-notch, nothing creaks, and details such as double-clicking any LED lamp to completely turn off the lighting in the car. It’s a very useful feature. The Multivan doesn't have double windows, but the soundproofing level is on par with its predecessor. The weight has also dropped: from 5,388 to 5,227 pounds in the case of the Ocean version.
From an engine standpoint, it’s interesting. The most logical option is the 2-liter diesel with 150 HP. I had a chance to drive this version, and although it requires some planning when overtaking, it can be satisfied with about 39 mpg at a speed of 56 mph. An alternative is the gasoline version with 204 HP, which is known to be a rather fuel-hungry variant.
These engines drive only the front axle. If you want all-wheel drive, you have to make a rather surprising choice. 4Motion is only available in the plug-in hybrid version, with a 1.5-liter engine and a system power of 245 HP. Although electric support in such a heavy vehicle may make sense, the MQB platform provides a tank that holds 10.5 gallons of gasoline. And the electric range won’t be particularly large.
The Polish importer has not yet announced prices for the new California, but it's already known that it will be available in Beach (with a pop-up roof only), Beach Tour/Camper, Coast, and Ocean versions – the latter being the car in the photos.
