It's finally arrived!!!

[Dark Ocean]

So from ordering in September last year, our new family member has finally arrived yesterday with 21 miles on the clock!!
We went for the Ocean 204 4 motion in pearl black with some extras from SMG in Tonbridge.
When I ordered the Cali, I hadn't test driven any demo vehicles so yesterday was my first drive and I was a little nervous.

I have now driven 100 miles and my first impressions are that it's a smooth drive. I had it lowered and it does handle the bumps quite well with very little rattling in the back. MPG is a little worrying especially as I have driven it like Miss Daisy today returning only 30mpg on average over the 100 miles with a mix of 60mph on the motorway and 30-40mph around town.

I haven't quite got used to the width and size of it yet, I have had a number of large 4x4s in the past but this feels much larger and heavier. This is evident when breaking, especially when somebody braked heavily in front of me, I did panic a little that I wouldn't stop in time.

I absolutely love the digital cockpit with its very clear display. The apply car play system on the main display works a dream in town and already know that this is the best feature on the Cali so far!!

It's a comfortable place to be with the captains chairs, high driving position and a sense of it being a cosiness. I can already see what the buzz is all about and how people get attached to their Calis. I keep looking out of the window at it and wanting to go out and have another play with the settings and gadgets.

Anyway, here's some pictures, now I've got to start hunting for the accessories. (hours of fun)!!

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

So from ordering in September last year, our new family member has finally arrived yesterday with 21 miles on the clock!!
We went for the Ocean 204 4 motion in pearl black with some extras from SMG in Tonbridge.
When I ordered the Cali, I hadn't test driven any demo vehicles so yesterday was my first drive and I was a little nervous.

I have now driven 100 miles and my first impressions are that it's a smooth drive. I had it lowered and it does handle the bumps quite well with very little rattling in the back. MPG is a little worrying especially as I have driven it like Miss Daisy today returning only 30mpg on average over the 100 miles with a mix of 60mph on the motorway and 30-40mph around town.

I haven't quite got used to the width and size of it yet, I have had a number of large 4x4s in the past but this feels much larger and heavier. This is evident when breaking, especially when somebody braked heavily in front of me, I did panic a little that I wouldn't stop in time.

I absolutely love the digital cockpit with its very clear display. The apply car play system on the main display works a dream in town and already know that this is the best feature on the Cali so far!!

It's a comfortable place to be with the captains chairs, high driving position and a sense of it being a cosiness. I can already see what the buzz is all about and how people get attached to their Calis. I keep looking out of the window at it and wanting to go out and have another play with the settings and gadgets.

Anyway, here's some pictures, now I've got to start hunting for the accessories. (hours of fun)!!

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Looks great.

 

[Jester]

Looks stunning,

You may wish to lower the arms a little and tighten the awning a little ie reverse to tension the material so tough.

 

[dripster]

So from ordering in September last year, our new family member has finally arrived yesterday with 21 miles on the clock!!
We went for the Ocean 204 4 motion in pearl black with some extras from SMG in Tonbridge.
When I ordered the Cali, I hadn't test driven any demo vehicles so yesterday was my first drive and I was a little nervous.

I have now driven 100 miles and my first impressions are that it's a smooth drive. I had it lowered and it does handle the bumps quite well with very little rattling in the back. MPG is a little worrying especially as I have driven it like Miss Daisy today returning only 30mpg on average over the 100 miles with a mix of 60mph on the motorway and 30-40mph around town.

I haven't quite got used to the width and size of it yet, I have had a number of large 4x4s in the past but this feels much larger and heavier. This is evident when breaking, especially when somebody braked heavily in front of me, I did panic a little that I wouldn't stop in time.

I absolutely love the digital cockpit with its very clear display. The apply car play system on the main display works a dream in town and already know that this is the best feature on the Cali so far!!

It's a comfortable place to be with the captains chairs, high driving position and a sense of it being a cosiness. I can already see what the buzz is all about and how people get attached to their Calis. I keep looking out of the window at it and wanting to go out and have another play with the settings and gadgets.

Anyway, here's some pictures, now I've got to start hunting for the accessories. (hours of fun)!!

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Loving the colour! Long may it be that shiny! Our black Beach is parked on our drive by a busy road and needs cleaning about once a week!

 

[Dark Ocean]

Looks stunning,

You may wish to lower the arms a little and tighten the awning a little ie reverse to tension the material so tough.

Thanks Jester, I only realised that after taking the photos. This was my first effort and it took me a while to realise that the clips had to be folded in the opposite direction on the legs to tension them too. So much to learn!!

 

[Dark Ocean]

Loving the colour! Long may it be that shiny! Our black Beach is parked on our drive by a busy road and needs cleaning about once a week!

Thanks Dripster, I was a little worried about having a black car as my current car is white and the easy to keep clean with a full PPF wrap. I think I'm going to go for some paint protection but cant be cleaning it each week as it's huge!!

 

[Moose]

Very very nice

 

[Jester]

Thanks Jester, I only realised that after taking the photos. This was my first effort and it took me a while to realise that the clips had to be folded in the opposite direction on the legs to tension them too. So much to learn!!

No worries lots to learn and lots of advice on here.

 

[66tim99]

So from ordering in September last year, our new family member has finally arrived yesterday with 21 miles on the clock!!
We went for the Ocean 204 4 motion in pearl black with some extras from SMG in Tonbridge.
When I ordered the Cali, I hadn't test driven any demo vehicles so yesterday was my first drive and I was a little nervous.

I have now driven 100 miles and my first impressions are that it's a smooth drive. I had it lowered and it does handle the bumps quite well with very little rattling in the back. MPG is a little worrying especially as I have driven it like Miss Daisy today returning only 30mpg on average over the 100 miles with a mix of 60mph on the motorway and 30-40mph around town.

I haven't quite got used to the width and size of it yet, I have had a number of large 4x4s in the past but this feels much larger and heavier. This is evident when breaking, especially when somebody braked heavily in front of me, I did panic a little that I wouldn't stop in time.

I absolutely love the digital cockpit with its very clear display. The apply car play system on the main display works a dream in town and already know that this is the best feature on the Cali so far!!

It's a comfortable place to be with the captains chairs, high driving position and a sense of it being a cosiness. I can already see what the buzz is all about and how people get attached to their Calis. I keep looking out of the window at it and wanting to go out and have another play with the settings and gadgets.

Anyway, here's some pictures, now I've got to start hunting for the accessories. (hours of fun)!!

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Great looking Cali - love the wheels and the number plate!
30mpg doesn’t sound too bad for a 200hp 4motion 3-tonne van

 

[Dark Ocean]

Great looking Cali - love the wheels and the number plate!
30mpg doesn’t sound too bad for a 200hp 4motion 3-tonne van

Thanks 66tim99. That's true. I had read on here somewhere, that the engine needs to settle in a bit too before the MPG becomes a more comfortable figure.

 

[AlisonF]

Congratulations! Looking forward to seeing some pics out camping. Enjoy it !

 

[Dark Ocean]

Congratulations! Looking forward to seeing some pics out camping. Enjoy it !

Thanks Alison, the kids are already on my case for their first night away somewhere. I'm just struggling a little getting some of the equipment with the forum shop selling out like hot cakes.

 

[willwander]

Welcome to team black.
Great looking van, wheels really suit it.

 

[Dean Kennett]

Stunner! Enjoy your ride. Lovely pics and now very much looking forward to mine, when it appears. I have hired many overtime and you will get used to it. Button down all your gear before you set off, trust me 2 miles up the road and your stopping to stop the rattling of pans and cutlery! Either way, its a nice looker.

 

[Stu@rt]

Looks the business. Very, very nice. Enjoy !

 

[Ladymuck]

Looks absolutely amazing and matches your username, what a coincidence!
Enjoy

 

[Mr T]

Looks great! Let the accessories spending commence! Enjoy

 

[Andy Nickson]

Looks awesome, we beat the waiting list and picked up ours from Breeze Poole from stock Had it lowered with sportline wheels and really happy with it. Yours looks ace in black.

You will soon get used to it and the adaptive cruise is awesome.

 

[CampervanTime]

Looks great - what front splitter is that?

 

[Dark Ocean]

Looks great - what front splitter is that?

Hey itguy, thanks! I had a hunt around for a gloss black one and finally settled for the splitter from Leighton Vans. Here’s the link:

Front Bumper Lower Splitter + Fitting Kit (for VW T6.1)

Lower Bumper Splitter for VW T6 1 Easy to fit comes with all fitting kit needed for installation Contains 1x Lower Bumper Splitter 1x Pack of screws for fitting

www.leightonparts.co.uk

 

[Dark Ocean]

Looks awesome, we beat the waiting list and picked up ours from Breeze Poole from stock Had it lowered with sportline wheels and really happy with it. Yours looks ace in black.

You will soon get used to it and the adaptive cruise is awesome.

Hey Andy, good thinking, we were beginning to give up altogether until the dealer called out of blue and said it was in the Uk. The lowering really sets of the stance and I’m guessing makes it easier to get in and out of as it’s still quite high now. It’s amazing how many people have stopped to have a look at it today. Really happy with it and already looking forward to popping out in it tomorrow.

 

[SusiBus]

Well done for posting great pictures of your gorgeous shiny black Cali, happy cleaning.

Having had 4motions since 2012, I find they all return average mpg's in the low 30s. I agree with you that the brakes don't instill confidence. Size wise, you'll soon get used to the width, and the great rear view mirrors certainly make it a very easy vehicle to drive.
What a great number plate ! Enjoy.

 

[Dark Ocean]

Looks absolutely amazing and matches your username, what a coincidence!
Enjoy

Thanks Ladymuck, Do you think I may have been thinking about my future black Cali order when I first registered for the forum a couple of years back???

 

[Dark Ocean]

Well done for posting great pictures of your gorgeous shiny black Cali, happy cleaning.

Having had 4motions since 2012, I find they all return average mpg's in the low 30s. I agree with you that the brakes don't instill confidence. Size wise, you'll soon get used to the width, and the great rear view mirrors certainly make it a very easy vehicle to drive.
What a great number plate ! Enjoy.

Hey SusiBus, thanks, I have to say, with the 4 motion, I didn’t experience any wheel spins at junctions today which was a bonus, although let’s see what it’s like in the wet. I just don’t want to scratch it on the bushes but equally can’t quite feel the width yet when other cars are coming towards me. I’m sure another couple of days time and I’ll get used to it and it will be like I haven’t driven anything else.

 

[GrahamB]

Great looking van - the chrome pack, sidebars and Palmerston wheels really work well on the black. It will be a b*gger to keep clean but I guess you knew that!