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Or maybe the expanse of glass would be too large without it. Good to speculate thoughOpening on the Multivan doesn't look to be very poptop friendly. That centre stay is probably structural.
I parked beside a new Multivan yesterday in a car park and visually there is very little difference in size when standing beside the two. The biggest difference for me was in the appearance but I thought it was still a very good looking van and could easily see it as a California.
Actually more likely because of the slope in roof. Glass is flat - over the length of roof there is a curvature so breaking in two solves that. It is of course possible but very hard (expensive) to make curved glass that long. It also holds the rear passenger controls for the AC. In terms of structure it's probably only a brace to reduce body shake. Like Cabriolets there are other ways to solve for this by strengthening the chassis. I definitely don't think it's a showstopper.Or maybe the expanse of glass would be too large without it. Good to speculate though
I thought the front section tilted open? whilst the rear is fixed.Or maybe the expanse of glass would be too large without it. Good to speculate though
Since the Multivan is built on a car chassis, the front row is quite a ways further back, meaning the load area is considerably shorter than the T5/6. A cap has been placed over what would be the hood to make the roof line look like a van, but that makes mostly unusable space on top of the instrument panel. It’s a money saving tactic to save the cost of designing a new chassis (this is also the case with the Buzz’s ID.3 chassis) but with the front row so far back, it gives a van image without a van’s efficient use of space, plus un unnecessary second A pillar which affects forward vision.
I think you are wrong there. (talking about the long version)
I’m looking for that dimension too. That said, this does not look to me like an efficient use of space in a vehicle (the short version!) that is 7cm longer than my van. The long version of the multivan is 27cm longer than a T6 with only short wheelbase T6 room. Who wants that? It’s in effect large SUV proportions with a false nose to make it look like a van, so not what I’m looking for. Others may have larger garages (long version) or don’t need the space (short version).
The t6 is 4m2 living area behind the front seats, from the brochure I uploaded in the other thread the Multivan Long is 4.038m2 behind the front seats.
Here’s a photo of the Space Camper bed, 200cm x 140 cm. It seems that the Multivan is wider than a T6 on the outside but 10cm narrower on the inside.
These are the sources for the load areas, which I took from the brochures. I couldn’t find the area for the Beach so used the Shuttle, which is pretty much the same.
Exactly what I thought. I reckon the side panelling must be deeper on the Multivan.
If you use the dimensions of max length behind the first row of seats X the maximum width it gives 4.370m2 for the multivan long Versus 4.3m2 for the shuttle.
Well, if I were to write a review it would be far from your idea of the most practical and full of smart finds small campervan. Have you thought about buying something else?
and if he can keep it polite 
I think we are all looking forward to seeing what VW does next with its heritage California. Personally I think there may be too many compromises to make it a desirable upgrade, at least anything based on the MQB or MEB platforms. The best iteration (as a campervan package) will likely come out of the VW-Ford collab.Well, if I were to write a review it would be far from your idea of the most practical and full of smart finds small campervan. Have you thought about buying something else?
Anyway, I just said here about two month ago that the t6.1 cali has a chassis from an almost 20 year old van (which it is) and was outed by someone. I'm curious what he will write on your post
I am a HUGE favorite of the california, from the oldest to the newest. I have waited 20 months hopefully for its delivery and after some annoying issues during the first year - with one very big one that I even thought of selling it back and waiting for the new california - I can only be very happy with my cali. Meanwhile a good year old and more than 24,000 kilometers on the count, many from short trips to some larger trips. You even forget how much of your savings went towards buying it. FYI: before that we had a T4 westfalia california for 10 years, also to our great satisfaction, but an airco, some more power and the aforementioned ingenuity of Volkswagen made us buy a new one.
But all this does not keep me from looking forward to the california version based on the multivan and others to come in the california family.
Compete or replace? Certainly not, just an extra member to the california family. I look forward to all of the new members and one of them will be the true successor of the cali we know now.
That’s what I said.
It’s officially called the California UniverseThat’s what I said.
Sounds like marketing, preparing customers to accept the compromises because they know they can’t replace the T6.1?It’s officially called the California Universe
Back to paying to get to Wales just like the Seven bridge was. Think I will stick to entering from Monmouth and over the Beacons (sorry should use new name!). Looks like Cardiff is out unless you cycle down the taff trail.
The intention is to replace the T5/6 with the new Transit/Transporter made by Ford in Turkey starting next year…we’ll have to wait to see how that goes. Somehow I don’t see that leading to an improvement in build quality, but it’s important since VW announced a couple of years ago that the Multivan would have a short production run.
Don’t be too despondent. It is just talk at the moment. Thousands upon thousands use those routes everyday and there is no realistic way round.
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