The new California now comes with two sliding side doors as standard, making it more flexible for everyday life. The sliding door on the driver’s side ensures comfortable and easy entry and exit. The second sliding door, on the passenger side, together with the completely redesigned kitchen and an external folding table, enables greater versatility for cooking and outdoor eating.
With this second sliding door, the new California offers a three-zone concept for campsites – with its large interior and the outside spaces to the right and left of the sliding doors, the new California merges indoors and outdoors to create a living space surrounded by nature.
All versions of the new California feature a pop-up roof with a front window that can be fully opened, as well as two additional side windows, all with mosquito nets.
The new California comes with removable individual seats in the rear (each weighing 24kg) instead of a rear bench seat. These lightweight individual seats can quickly and easily be moved or removed to accommodate larger items – especially useful for those looking to quickly switch from mobile office mode to leisure.
The new California also features a new 5-inch portrait touch display campervan control unit mounted in the C-pillar on the passenger side. Owners can use this feature to adjust the climate control in the passenger area, heating of the interior via the auxiliary heater, control of the ambient light (all around roof lining), and much more. Alternatively, these features can be operated via a corresponding in-car app on the infotainment system or the California app on a smartphone.
Occupants also benefit from two 45-watt USB-C ports at the front, and four in the passenger compartment, to ensure that mobile devices never run out of power.
Cutting edge technology and powertrains
All new California vehicles are based on the Volkswagen Group’s innovative modular transverse matrix (MQB) platform, on the current long-wheelbase version of the Multivan. As a result, it benefits from a wide range of driver assist systems that provide additional safety and comfort, including oncoming vehicle braking when turning function to Travel Assist, which offers semi-automated driving assistance for greater long-distance driving comfort.
Initial powertrain options include an efficient 150PS 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine and a high-torque 204PS 2.0-litre TSI petrol on Coast and Ocean variants. Both these engines drive the front wheels, feature a DSG automatic gearbox as standard and have a maximum trailer weight of up to 2,000kg.
With its MQB architecture, the new California will soon be available with an eHybrid plug-in hybrid drive for the first time. Featuring a combined output of 245 PS, this powerful and efficient powertrain combines an electric motor with a high-tech 1.5 TSI petrol engine that enables fully electric running for everyday use as well as a longer overall range and a maximum trailer weight of up to 1,600kg. This is also one of the first MQB models from the Volkswagen Group to combine a plug-in hybrid drive with the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.
Prices start from £63,3761 On the Road (OTR).
Autobrief Snippets
- Prices start at £63,376 OTR1 with first customer deliveries from Winter 2024
- Legendary campervan is available with a TDI or TSI drive, with an all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid to follow
- The premium campervan is curated in three highly-specified trims: Beach Camper, Coast, Ocean