kurienp
Super Poster
VIP Member
Now I really really know why people rave about the Cali. 
4 days of rental from down south to oop north, Edinburgh and Glasgow included 2 nights of driving.
Hired from London (you know from where), as they were the only guys who had a Cali with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and DSG. Got the diesel 204 PS version. Some quick notes, both positivies and what I would like changed, first for the positives though:
a) pleasure to drive. 204 ps had sufficient grunt for a constant 80 mph on the motorways and then some more when overtaking
b) ACC in stop and go traffic is much better with the electronic brakes which the Cali does not have. Electronic brakes sorely missed.
c) the bed made night time driving a pleasure. When you get tired, pull into services, set an alarm for 1hr and 45 minutes, grab a sleep and then drive again Works for me. driving up north, kept the bed open.
d) when tired, stop at services, make a brew, place cup in cupholder and back to driving again. enjoying the brew.
e) engine was a peach. except for the suspension (more on that in a short while), behaved pretty much like a car.
f) Plugged in at campground for 2 days. No issues with powering laptop to do work. With 4G signal, work was pretty much like work from home.
g) the heater - was the icing on the cake. Glasgow was cold. did not feel it. Glasgow was windy, so kept the roof down. A very sound sleep indeed. Slept like a baby
h) went for a walk to the scottish highlands - best part - come back after an ardous walk - enough space to change clothes and then sit back relax and have a brew (could not have the brew outside under the awning as it was windy and rainy ). Pure bliss.
i) up and around Glen Douglas (for those who know the place) - the steep climbs and descents were a cakewalk for the 204 ps engine. Wonder what it will be like for the 150 ps though.
j) did not take it off road, but suspect that the engine has enough grunt to take on steep inclines easily. The M&S tyres do make a difference. Good grip and Road noise was almost non-existent/bearable.
Some things which are a must:
a) ACC and DSG are a must. May also go in for the city assist to make driving just a wee bit easier.
b) when I order, it will be with the higher rated suspension and ant rolls bars - will ensure a more stable ride. With the standard suspension it behaved more like a loaded van with the rear end having a mind of its own.
c) front and rear parking sensors are a must. Just gives you confidence when turning around in a tight space.
Some observations:
a) the drip, drip, drip ... sound when the heater is on - noticed it, but was not much bothered by it. But that sound is there.
b) cut foam pieces will be the drivers best friend as there was some weird noise from behind the seat that I tried to sort out ... but was unable to. Then finally learnt to ignore it. Did not have the time to sort it out.
c) the middle rear view mirror - useless piece of accessory. The slideout storage above the rear seats - blocks a decent view from the mirrow. The large side mirrors though made up for it in a way. A slightly lower rear mirror would be more helpful.
d) The large 6 inch upgrade nav screen was good, but if you use Google maps for your navigation, forget using the phone for anything else. Andriod Auto was too intrusive and so is Apple Car Play. The red coloured light buttons are an eyesore though. Did not like it. Prefer white lights on buttons.
e) found the brake pedal slightly high for comfort. May decide to use a platform just to make long drives more comfortable. ACC took care of most of the in-town and motorway driving through bad traffic.
f) The elastic band around the top roof is a must. Not sure why VW does not build it into the canvas.
Some pictures for your viewing pleasure - not in sequence.
Guards on the Glen Douglas Road at night.
View from inside while getting ready for the day
View of the rail bridge from South Queensferry
The not so new and the new road bridges
One of the few early morning birds - absolute peace
Was enjoying the ride and the trip so missed out on taking more pictures
4 days of rental from down south to oop north, Edinburgh and Glasgow included 2 nights of driving. Hired from London (you know from where), as they were the only guys who had a Cali with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and DSG. Got the diesel 204 PS version. Some quick notes, both positivies and what I would like changed, first for the positives though:
a) pleasure to drive. 204 ps had sufficient grunt for a constant 80 mph on the motorways and then some more when overtaking
b) ACC in stop and go traffic is much better with the electronic brakes which the Cali does not have. Electronic brakes sorely missed.
c) the bed made night time driving a pleasure. When you get tired, pull into services, set an alarm for 1hr and 45 minutes, grab a sleep and then drive again
Works for me. driving up north, kept the bed open.d) when tired, stop at services, make a brew, place cup in cupholder and back to driving again. enjoying the brew.
e) engine was a peach. except for the suspension (more on that in a short while), behaved pretty much like a car.
f) Plugged in at campground for 2 days. No issues with powering laptop to do work. With 4G signal, work was pretty much like work from home.
g) the heater - was the icing on the cake. Glasgow was cold. did not feel it. Glasgow was windy, so kept the roof down. A very sound sleep indeed. Slept like a baby
h) went for a walk to the scottish highlands - best part - come back after an ardous walk - enough space to change clothes and then sit back relax and have a brew (could not have the brew outside under the awning as it was windy and rainy
). Pure bliss. i) up and around Glen Douglas (for those who know the place) - the steep climbs and descents were a cakewalk for the 204 ps engine. Wonder what it will be like for the 150 ps though.
j) did not take it off road, but suspect that the engine has enough grunt to take on steep inclines easily. The M&S tyres do make a difference. Good grip and Road noise was almost non-existent/bearable.
Some things which are a must:
a) ACC and DSG are a must. May also go in for the city assist to make driving just a wee bit easier.
b) when I order, it will be with the higher rated suspension and ant rolls bars - will ensure a more stable ride. With the standard suspension it behaved more like a loaded van with the rear end having a mind of its own.
c) front and rear parking sensors are a must. Just gives you confidence when turning around in a tight space.
Some observations:
a) the drip, drip, drip ... sound when the heater is on - noticed it, but was not much bothered by it. But that sound is there.
b) cut foam pieces will be the drivers best friend as there was some weird noise from behind the seat that I tried to sort out ... but was unable to. Then finally learnt to ignore it. Did not have the time to sort it out.
c) the middle rear view mirror - useless piece of accessory. The slideout storage above the rear seats - blocks a decent view from the mirrow. The large side mirrors though made up for it in a way. A slightly lower rear mirror would be more helpful.
d) The large 6 inch upgrade nav screen was good, but if you use Google maps for your navigation, forget using the phone for anything else. Andriod Auto was too intrusive and so is Apple Car Play. The red coloured light buttons are an eyesore though. Did not like it. Prefer white lights on buttons.
e) found the brake pedal slightly high for comfort. May decide to use a platform just to make long drives more comfortable. ACC took care of most of the in-town and motorway driving through bad traffic.
f) The elastic band around the top roof is a must. Not sure why VW does not build it into the canvas.
Some pictures for your viewing pleasure - not in sequence.
Guards on the Glen Douglas Road at night.
View from inside while getting ready for the day
View of the rail bridge from South Queensferry
The not so new and the new road bridges
One of the few early morning birds - absolute peace
Was enjoying the ride and the trip so missed out on taking more pictures
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