After building over 280,000 units of this bestselling model, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is now presenting a brand-new generation: the New California.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has redesigned every area of the camper van, making it more spacious, smarter, more sophisticated, more versatile and more sustainable. And yet it still follows in the design footsteps of its iconic predecessors, thus continuing one of the great automotive success stories.
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.
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.
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 New California range has the ideal version for everyone
The five versions of the New California have been designed to cater to as many lifestyle and travel scenarios as possible. Compared with the predecessor, the new models are equipped with removable individual seats in the rear (each weighing 24 kg) instead of a rear bench seat. Practical drawers are located under all individual seats as well as in the driver and front passenger seats. A large number of 45-watt USB-C ports also ensure that mobile devices never run out of power
