I've Seen One!

[RosscoPCole74]

Was taking our Cali in for a service at Breeze and they have a T7 California in the showroom. Had a look around and a chat. Is much smaller inside than I thought.

There are a lot of great details like the control screen in the back, twin sliding doors, great in the UK, and how you can access the fridge from the open door. But it didn't jump out and say 'Buy me!' like my T6.1 did. I think it would be great for couples, but not for a family of 4 and a dog like us.

 

[Gecko_Bioyag77]

What was the build quality like, did it feel like an upgrade from the T6.1?

 

[2haw]

The only thing that appeals to me is accessing the fridge without climbing in the back, no handbrake and a better ride.

Put that in a T6.1 body and I’d be tempted.

 

[Mehdime]

One thing that I still don’t get is how the water filling works. On the T6.1, you fill the water until it overflows since there’s no way to know when it’s full.

But on the T7, the water thing is inside the boot as we can see in the last picture above. So you don’t want to overflow for sure. So how does it work then? It must be obvious but I can’t work it out.

 

[RosscoPCole74]

What was the build quality like, did it feel like an upgrade from the T6.1?

I couldn't really tell without having a proper test drive. Then I could have a play with everything.

 

[RosscoPCole74]

The only thing that appeals to me is accessing the fridge without climbing in the back, no handbrake and a better ride.

Put that in a T6.1 body and I’d be tempted.

I completely agree. Looking back at the photos I wouldn't be able to fit my golf clubs in the boot, it looks too narrow.

 

[The Little Red Cali]

Was taking our Cali in for a service at Breeze and they have a T7 California in the showroom. Had a look around and a chat. Is much smaller inside than I thought.
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There are a lot of great details like the control screen in the back, twin sliding doors, great in the UK, and how you can access the fridge from the open door. But it didn't jump out and say 'Buy me!' like my T6.1 did. I think it would be great for couples, but not for a family of 4 and a dog like us.

I think I’d miss the bench seat. Can’t imagine relaxing on those when camping.

 

[Hawthorn37]

And no under bench storage.

 

[The Pox]

It looks great for posh picnics but not for camping.

 

[Meoncoast]

water fill in boot - plug in under bonnet. ! EDIT - just watch a review plug in is in the same place as before.

 

[pchmlk]

Looks poorly designed to me. Certainly not the product of many years of evolution. I think you guys with the 6.1s have probably got the best calis out there (after the 5.1 of course).

 

[Camperfamily]

Thanks for sharing this @RosscoPCole74

 

[The Pox]

water fill in boot - plug in under bonnet. !

Seriously!! The more I hear the worse it gets! Designed by people who don't go camping. The triumph of appearance over practicality. No wonder VW is in a state of decline at the moment.

 

[Meoncoast]

One of the reasons we recently replaced our T6 with a new T6.1 was I do to like the look of the T7 both inside and out. My personal view so getting a van now gives me 8 years or so to decide where next.

 

[pjm-84]

Hmmmm.....no.

 

[wildslammer22]

One thing that I still don’t get is how the water filling works. On the T6.1, you fill the water until it overflows since there’s no way to know when it’s full.

But on the T7, the water thing is inside the boot as we can see in the last picture above. So you don’t want to overflow for sure. So how does it work then? It must be obvious but I can’t work it out.

Probably have to carry a drip tray!

 

[Azteccamper]

I think I’d miss the bench seat. Can’t imagine relaxing on those when camping.

Can they slide forward and recline, lounger style?

 

[CannellWalker]

Take it the back storage area is a good bit narrower than a T5/6?

 

[66tim99]

I think I’d miss the bench seat. Can’t imagine relaxing on those when camping.

A lot of wasted space beneath as well. I’d miss the capacity of the bench drawer

 

[66tim99]

And no under bench storage.

There is a sliding drawer under each seat, but can’t be anything like the capacity of the bench drawer
I’m waiting for my dealer to email me that there’s one in the showroom.

 

[66tim99]

Can they slide forward and recline, lounger style?

6.1 bench can

 

[66tim99]

8 years or so to decide where next.

Why wait 8 years if you like a T7?

 

[Barry Chuckle]

I appreciate that probably most on this forum aren't fans of the T7, but one thing I wonder is where the traditional Cali buyers will go next. I get that many are snapping up the last of the new 6.1's and some may go nearly new for a while. But many buyers are only going to want to buy new, so a used 6.1 will be discounted as a choice. I certainly wanted only brand new when I got my 6.1.

Where do you think these buyers will go if it's not the T7? I appreciate some may go for new conversions but many like the idea of a manufacturer conversion so does that mean the Marco Polo or Nugget will be more in demand?????

 

[WelshGas]

I appreciate that probably most on this forum aren't fans of the T7, but one thing I wonder is where the traditional Cali buyers will go next. I get that many are snapping up the last of the new 6.1's and some may go nearly new for a while. But many buyers are only going to want to buy new, so a used 6.1 will be discounted as a choice. I certainly wanted only brand new when I got my 6.1.

Where do you think these buyers will go if it's not the T7? I appreciate some may go for new conversions but many like the idea of a manufacturer conversion so does that mean the Marco Polo or Nugget will be more in demand?????

Both of those are 3rd party conversions. Westfalia is the conversion company.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Both of those are 3rd party conversions. Westfalia is the conversion company.

Lack of knowledge on my part, but does the fact they are sold by the van manufacturer rather than the converter mean the former would be responsible for any habitation issues?