New 163BHP Grand Cali 600

David M · Aug 13, 2025

Just enquiring on how anyone is getting on with the new 163hp engine compared with the older 24 model with 177. I am looking to buy and not sure if I want the new 25 model,( minus the solar and or wiring loom) or find a nearly new 24 model with perhaps a solar panel and if not at least the wiring for the solar to the roof aerial.
Please advise your thoughts and if anyone with a new model has had any gripes with the new engine and interior electronics?
thanks

Soton Campers · Aug 14, 2025

David M said:
Just enquiring on how anyone is getting on with the new 163hp engine compared with the older 24 model with 177. I am looking to buy and not sure if I want the new 25 model,( minus the solar and or wiring loom) or find a nearly new 24 model with perhaps a solar panel and if not at least the wiring for the solar to the roof aerial.
Please advise your thoughts and if anyone with a new model has had any gripes with the new engine and interior electronics?
thanks

Just looking at a new 600 myself, has VW discontinued Solar and the pre-wiring now? I can't see it on the configurator. The Grand California absolutely needs Solar in my opinion or more battery capacity.

Coachella · Aug 14, 2025

Only having my MY25 Knaus from Monday - (MAN TGE / VW Crafter) - its now the 163bhp version.
I haven't really noticed the power difference yet. Its still quick when it wants to be and picks up well.

Things for me that i am struggling to get used to is the auto controls now on a stick not on the gear stick position. I cannot see if there is a switch to turn off stop/start. Other differences i have seen there are flappy paddles too. Handbrake of course is not electronic - and have got it set on auto hold. To start with it was putting the handbrake on between forwards and reverse which was a pain - u had to wait for the system to catch up to take it off again for moving - but now with the autohold it behaves like before now.
Also the wipers are all on the indicator stalk now. So right now trying to find that is a few seconds going on the right side - nope not there - its on the left now.
And the media system ! well thats another ball game all together. Not been able to set up android auto - navigating around it is also so very different.

I know that i will get more familiar with it all.
But driving - so far its not that much different than the version before.

Coachella · Aug 14, 2025

Oh I meant to add - big plus is that its Lithium ready. I just have to set the Dometic charger in the back to Lithium mode - and just drop in the replacement battery in the front.

Maidment_Ocean · Aug 14, 2025

Hi, while solar is not yet an option, why is there a question about cabling not being there? My understanding is that even on previous versions that did not have solar the cabling from the front of the van is there into the electric cupboard, hence why some have retro fitted solar.

David M · Aug 14, 2025

Maidment_Ocean said:
Hi, while solar is not yet an option, why is there a question about cabling not being there? My understanding is that even on previous versions that did not have solar the cabling from the front of the van is there into the electric cupboard, hence why some have retro fitted solar.

I am lead to believe that VW were having problems with the quality of the solar panels hence on the revised vehicle(25 model year) have not included them as an option or indeed included the wiring to the point of entry at the roof, hence any retro fitting will be a little more complex... However I could be mis informed?

Maidment_Ocean · Aug 14, 2025

David M said:
I am lead to believe that VW were having problems with the quality of the solar panels hence on the revised vehicle(25 model year) have not included them as an option or indeed included the wiring to the point of entry at the roof, hence any retro fitting will be a little more complex... However I could be mis informed?

On the website it says solar available late 25, but who knows if the cable is still in the roof lining or not…..

pinomarmo1958 · Friday at 1:08 PM

David M said:
Just enquiring on how anyone is getting on with the new 163hp engine compared with the older 24 model with 177. I am looking to buy and not sure if I want the new 25 model,( minus the solar and or wiring loom) or find a nearly new 24 model with perhaps a solar panel and if not at least the wiring for the solar to the roof aerial.
Please advise your thoughts and if anyone with a new model has had any gripes with the new engine and interior electronics?
thanks

We had a 24 plate with solar now the facelift without. This model power is not noticeable. But every thing else is the drive is better the instrument panel better, lane assist. The hold button great. The gear lever great the wiper is OK just needs a little getting use to. The only thing that Iam not sure about is the barn door lock it seems to work by a signal,maybe solenoid to the lock from the handle.
But the leveling like the ocean is on here you have to download it, the dealer did it for me. The control panel ,I thought I wouldn't like but it's great. You can see both batteries. The stop start is on the main screen no more button and it's key les start. Electric door mirrors and the little orange light when vehicles pass in the mirror don't know what it's called. Less noises. The VW badges are different. So far we are impressed.

Coachella · Friday at 2:03 PM

Oh the stop start --- is this on the digital dash ? or in the infotainment screen ?

Also yes i noticed that the barn door had locked itself after a time when in the back i had the passenger side back door open and the drivers side one closed - went to pull it open and it had locked itself. Had the sliding door open too. So will have to make note that the door at the back will after a while lock. So I dont get locked out with closing doors with the key inside !
Wonder if this is something that the dealer can change ?

pinomarmo1958 · Friday at 8:29 PM

Coachella said:
Oh the stop start --- is this on the digital dash ? or in the infotainment screen ?

Also yes i noticed that the barn door had locked itself after a time when in the back i had the passenger side back door open and the drivers side one closed - went to pull it open and it had locked itself. Had the sliding door open too. So will have to make note that the door at the back will after a while lock. So I dont get locked out with closing doors with the key inside !
Wonder if this is something that the dealer can change ?

Infotainment screen is where you will find stop start. Our back door operates normally, just a little delay when opening.

VWGetaway · Monday at 8:47 AM

David M said:
Just enquiring on how anyone is getting on with the new 163hp engine compared with the older 24 model with 177. I am looking to buy and not sure if I want the new 25 model,( minus the solar and or wiring loom) or find a nearly new 24 model with perhaps a solar panel and if not at least the wiring for the solar to the roof aerial.
Please advise your thoughts and if anyone with a new model has had any gripes with the new engine and interior electronics?
thanks

I collected my GC680 just over two weeks ago, and I have travelled down through France to Southern Spain. No problem with the power, albeit we were on cruise control for most of the way. I had ordered the vehicle in 2024 to include Solar Panels and due to delays my order went over to 2025, and I had the benefit of getting the new 25 model. The new interior and electronics are fab, easy to work and no problems so far. My big disappointment is the solar panels which I had ordered and paid for. I had not been advised they were discontinued and when I collected the van the VW dealer told me they must be there until we went to the 1st floor of their offices to view the top of the van and I showed him that there were not fitted. I am currently in discussions with VW about a retrofit however the possibility of a the absence of the wiring loom is concerning. Does anyone know how I can check if this loom is in place?

Ghud · Monday at 10:58 AM

VWGetaway said:
I collected my GC680 just over two weeks ago, and I have travelled down through France to Southern Spain. No problem with the power, albeit we were on cruise control for most of the way. I had ordered the vehicle in 2024 to include Solar Panels and due to delays my order went over to 2025, and I had the benefit of getting the new 25 model. The new interior and electronics are fab, easy to work and no problems so far. My big disappointment is the solar panels which I had ordered and paid for. I had not been advised they were discontinued and when I collected the van the VW dealer told me they must be there until we went to the 1st floor of their offices to view the top of the van and I showed him that there were not fitted. I am currently in discussions with VW about a retrofit however the possibility of a the absence of the wiring loom is concerning. Does anyone know how I can check if this loom is in place?

I contacted vw about the solar panel availability, also if retrofitting would affect the 5 year warranty. See reply below.
Re: Volkswagen - Solar issue

Dear Gary

I hope this finds you well.
Thank you for your interest in the Volkswagen Grand California 600.
I'm sorry you had to learn that Volkswagen does not offer a factory-fitted solar panel option for the Grand California 600 I understand the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions, and I cannot really confirm as to when this option will be available for the vehicle, however should it be available it will be communicated on our public platforms below;

https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en.html?campaign=00812940%7CBrand-SUV&language=EN&adchan=seah&publisher=GADW&country=GB&adplt=pseac&cpid=71700000030421954%7C58700006569009540&adver=volkswagen+compact+suv&format=NU&adpay=pd&adcta=NU&adaud=NU&adpl=GADW&adcr=volkswagen+compact+suv&adgroup=Small_SUV%5BExact%5D&seatype=branded&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=861574785&gclsrc=aw.ds
Regarding your warranty concerns: retrofitting solar panels is possible, and many owners have done so successfully. However, any modification not carried out or approved by Volkswagen or an authorised partner may affect your warranty—particularly if the modification is linked to a future issue.
For the most accurate guidance, I suggest confirming with your local Volkswagen dealer or service center whether a specific retrofit would impact your warranty coverage.
I hope the information provided is of great help; if you need any more help, please do not hesitate to contact us using the details below.
Following a case closure ,you may receive a Customer Satisfaction Survey via email. This is solely a reflection on the service that I have provided and not on the Retailer or any decisions made. I would be grateful if you had the time to complete this, as it will help me provide the best customer experience possible
Thank you for contacting Volkswagen UK.

Kind regards

Lonah Molo
Customer Relations Advisor

T: 0800 7834 909
E: [email protected]

Volkswagen UK
Volkswagen Group United Kingdom
Yeomans Drive
Blakelands
Milton Keynes
MK14 5AN
www.volkswagen.co.uk

Maidment_Ocean · Monday at 5:01 PM

Ghud said:
I contacted vw about the solar panel availability, also if retrofitting would affect the 5 year warranty. See reply below.
Re: Volkswagen - Solar issue

Dear Gary

I hope this finds you well.
Thank you for your interest in the Volkswagen Grand California 600.
I'm sorry you had to learn that Volkswagen does not offer a factory-fitted solar panel option for the Grand California 600 I understand the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions, and I cannot really confirm as to when this option will be available for the vehicle, however should it be available it will be communicated on our public platforms below;

https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en.html?campaign=00812940%7CBrand-SUV&language=EN&adchan=seah&publisher=GADW&country=GB&adplt=pseac&cpid=71700000030421954%7C58700006569009540&adver=volkswagen+compact+suv&format=NU&adpay=pd&adcta=NU&adaud=NU&adpl=GADW&adcr=volkswagen+compact+suv&adgroup=Small_SUV%5BExact%5D&seatype=branded&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=861574785&gclsrc=aw.ds
Regarding your warranty concerns: retrofitting solar panels is possible, and many owners have done so successfully. However, any modification not carried out or approved by Volkswagen or an authorised partner may affect your warranty—particularly if the modification is linked to a future issue.
For the most accurate guidance, I suggest confirming with your local Volkswagen dealer or service center whether a specific retrofit would impact your warranty coverage.
I hope the information provided is of great help; if you need any more help, please do not hesitate to contact us using the details below.
Following a case closure ,you may receive a Customer Satisfaction Survey via email. This is solely a reflection on the service that I have provided and not on the Retailer or any decisions made. I would be grateful if you had the time to complete this, as it will help me provide the best customer experience possible
Thank you for contacting Volkswagen UK.

Kind regards

Lonah Molo
Customer Relations Advisor

T: 0800 7834 909
E: [email protected]

Volkswagen UK
Volkswagen Group United Kingdom
Yeomans Drive
Blakelands
Milton Keynes
MK14 5AN
www.volkswagen.co.uk

Not a very helpful response!.

I have just ordered and reconciled to a portable battery pack and external solar panel(s) which although not as neat a solution, In time I think could be more flexible. In general though we tend to be on sites with electric. As long as I can make it 2 days off grid then should be OK for me.

New 163BHP Grand Cali 600

David M

Soton Campers

Southampton Campers

Coachella

Coachella

Maidment_Ocean

David M

Maidment_Ocean

pinomarmo1958

Coachella

pinomarmo1958

VWGetaway

Ghud

Maidment_Ocean

Similar threads

Useful links

VW California Club

About us

Our Partners

Our Websites