The California by Volkswagen Business Autos is an announcement, a motoring lifestyle: a full-value VW bus appropriate for every single day of the yr, which may also be transformed right into a fully-equipped camper van for adventures of any variety from one minute to the following. It’s this versatility that has made the California the world’s most profitable camper van in its class.
And now – after promoting 260,000 models of this product line – Volkswagen Business Autos is presenting a world premiere of the brand new California CONCEPT on the Caravan Salon commerce truthful in Düsseldorf. The present automobile opens a window into the way forward for this iconic automobile. It options state-of-the-art powertrains and the newest help and infotainment methods in addition to the following technology of camper van tools. The California CONCEPT relies on the lengthy model of the Multivan launched in 2021, which makes it bigger than its predecessor, the California 6.1.
First issues first: the California CONCEPT can even be geared up with a pop-up roof at a peak of just about two metres. This component is shared by all generations – from the primary California launched in 1988 to the California 6.1 of at present. Whereas the enduring particulars have remained the identical all through this time, every technology of this product line has featured model new developments. And the brand new California CONCEPT marks yet one more main step forwards. Its technical options make it the best camper van for the trendy age. For the primary time, the California CONCEPT provides some great benefits of plug-in hybrid expertise. The idea automobile has a hybrid drive on board: with its electrical vary, it acts as a bridge to the world of electrical mobility and is ready to ship emission-free driving for on a regular basis city life, whereas additionally providing large total ranges for lengthy journeys. Lithium-ion batteries on board the automobile present an virtually fully autonomous 12 V energy provide.
The camper van’s dwelling and kitchen areas have undergone a whole makeover. For the primary time, this California is supplied with a sliding door on the kitchen aspect as properly. This permits prolonged use of the house across the automobile and provides a brand new dimension to summer time tenting within the nice open air. Previously, all California fashions based mostly on the Transporter collection had a kitchen space stretching all the way down to the B-pillar on the left-hand aspect and a sliding door on the right-hand aspect; this door was the primary entrance – each in on a regular basis use and when tenting. The folding tenting chairs, folding desk and awning have been subsequently all the time additionally put in on the right-hand aspect of the automobile. Any longer, the addition of the additional sliding door on the driving force aspect of the California CONCEPT and the kitchen space that now’s now situated additional again within the automobile – identical to within the bigger Grand California – imply that the left-hand aspect of the automobile can now be opened up when tenting. This implies the California as a camper van is now extra versatile than ever earlier than. Because the idea automobile is fitted with a folding-arm awning on the left and a solar sail on the proper, each side of the automobile might be protected against both solar or rain. The solar sail might be arrange to be used in a matter of moments. The awning additionally comes with an built-in crank, which is stowed safely within the awning housing.
Three-zone conceptVolkswagen Business Autos is presenting a three-zone idea for the primary time with the present automobile. These totally different exterior and inside situations for tenting and day-to-day driving considerably broaden the chances to be used of the California.
Zone 1 (outdoors)With its sliding door, the right-hand aspect of the automobile supplies a secure level of entry and exit on the pavement-side of the automobile, identical to within the present California 6.1. Loading and unloading the automobile is subsequently additionally simple and secure. On the campsite, the solar sail turns this space into an open-sided tent, enhancing the sensation of life within the nice open air.
Zone 2 (inside)Behind the height-adjustable entrance seats – which might rotate by means of 180 levels – your complete automobile inside is a perfect passenger compartment for day-to-day driving, providing the acquainted flexibility of a Multivan. In contrast with the present California, it’s fitted with particular person seats which can be light-weight, detachable and really snug.
Thanks to those variable seats, boards and bikes can now simply be transported contained in the automobile. When used as a camper van, the California CONCEPT’s seating space can shortly be transformed right into a flat chill-out space or face-to-face seating for joint mealtimes or video games. The stable rear bench seat within the California 6.1 subsequently makes approach for variable particular person rear seats with mattress features within the California CONCEPT. The seats are upholstered with a hard-wearing and haptically nice cloth in Mélange design.
Zone 3 (outdoors)Because of the extra sliding door on the driving force aspect and the brand new idea for the kitchen unit and awning, a brand new outside space is created on the left-hand aspect of the automobile – by no means seen earlier than together with an out of doors kitchen in another California. For day-to-day driving, the second sliding door supplies a further level of entry and exit and a further loading choice on the drive at residence or on the grocery store. When tenting, this additionally creates a separate space for cooking and consuming and lengthy summer time evenings spent underneath the awning. That’s as a result of the kitchen – together with the sink, sliding induction hob and fridge – is now additionally accessible from outdoors. Along with the 230 V induction hob, there’s additionally an built-in fuel cooker acquainted from earlier generations of the van. A 230-volt socket on the surface of the kitchen and an exterior folding desk add the right of completion for all times on the campsite. The kitchen drawers might be accessed from each inside and outdoors. One other spotlight is the compact grill, which is stowed within the kitchen unit and might be conveniently faraway from outdoors the automobile. Like within the Crafter-based Grand California, the fridge provides sensible advantages as it may be accessed from outdoors and is supplied with a drawer: it now takes even much less time to serve breakfast. What’s extra, recent summer time produce might be loaded straight from the procuring trolley into the fridge.
The second sliding door additionally provides an extra benefit for right-hand drive markets just like the UK, Australia and New Zealand, the place customers can now enter and exit the California safely on the pavement aspect. One factor is for certain: the twin idea – use as a VW Bus for day-to-day driving and as a flexible camper van for leisure – has now been enhanced even additional due to the brand new three-zone idea.
Clever inside design, proper all the way down to the final detailThe present automobile’s inside design has been completely thought-out all the way down to the final element and provides a number of recent options and advantages. All of it begins on the entrance: for the reason that Multivan is fitted with an digital parking brake as an alternative of a handbook brake, the house between the driving force and entrance passenger seat in the direction of the rear might be put to a lot better use. Sensible drawers underneath the entrance height-adjustable swivel seats and the particular person seats at the rear additionally provide further cupboard space. There may be now house behind the driving force or entrance passenger seat for objects comparable to a detachable dry-composting bathroom. There may be additionally loads of cupboard space within the high and backside kitchen cabinets, that are situated behind the fridge. As well as, there a separate storage space underneath the mattress extension. The automobile inside is illuminated in nice mild by all-round, dimmable background lighting within the roof body. With a variety of colors out there, the background lighting on the cabinets might be adjusted to swimsuit particular person moods. To create the proper environment outdoors, the kitchen unit has an built-in detachable desk mild to create a comfortable really feel across the tenting desk. If extra mild is required, the LED lights on the awning arms bathe the automobile’s “terrace” in nice mild.
Pop-up roof and high-quality roof bedA VW bus as a California with out a basic pop-up roof is inconceivable. So the California CONCEPT isn’t any totally different. It includes a light-weight aluminium roof shell and a triple- layered bellows with a big panorama opening on the entrance. Massive home windows on the sides present unimaginable panoramic views. Like in all California mannequin, the very best place for the pop-up roof is on the entrance. USB-C sockets and LED lights present energy and lightweight within the pop-up roof. A high-quality roof mattress with spring plates additionally ensures night time’s sleep beneath the celebrities.Managed by a camper van management unit, smartphone or the infotainment systemThe roof’s pop-up mechanism is managed utilizing a vertical, multifunctional pill on the cabinet on the C-pillar. The entire options related for tenting might be managed on the contact show. Along with the pop-up roof, this consists of data on the recent and waste water ranges, the inside lighting features together with background lighting, energy provide standing, fridge and auxiliary heater. All of those features may also be managed on a smartphone utilizing the “Cali on Tour” app or within the infotainment system. The infotainment system may also be used to entry an inclination show that allows the camper van to be levelled.
Nonetheless, the pill doesn’t simply present details about the automobile, however may also present good leisure. As an illustration, it may be swivelled out on an articulated arm and positioned in order that it’s simply seen from each place within the passenger compartment. It may also be rotated by 90 levels, which means there’s nothing in the way in which of an entertaining night watching your favorite TV collection.
The California CONCEPT reveals that Volkswagen Business Autos will accompany all VW bus followers on their journeys the world over sooner or later as properly due to its revolutionary camper van ideas. This future will change into a actuality in 2024 with all drive methods of the Multivan.
Aug 25, 2023