Price cuts --> T6 coming soon?

[danny13]

Oddly seems to be a VW sale on at the moment, a number of ex-demo 2012 Beach models starting from £27k up for sale......as discount goes this is almost 20%. T6 model coming soon!?

 

[CaliforniaDAN]

Does the price include VAT?

 

[danny13]

Yup gross price for a Volkswagen California 2.0 TDI 140PS Beach 4dr 2012 with less than a 1000 miles! There are 3 2012 models currently for sale below £30k

 

[CaliforniaDAN]

Sounds like a nice deal, if you want a Beach! Seems strange to roll out the Beach within a year of a new model, but you never know.

 

[James]

Sounds like a nice deal, if you want a Beach! Seems strange to roll out the Beach within a year of a new model, but you never know.

Next generation transporter - T6 due 2014/2015. Most Transporters have a life cycle of about 12 years or roughly twice a car life cycle.

Good price on the Beach - they may not be selling which would be a shame

The question is what will the next gen Cali be based on, the T6 or a niche microbus model which VW are considering.


James

 

[CaliforniaDAN]

I saw photos of a VW concept microbus in the press a couple of years ago and looked superb. They would however have to make it a lot bigger for me to buy!

 

[James]

I saw photos of a VW concept microbus in the press a couple of years ago and looked superb. They would however have to make it a lot bigger for me to buy!

It's an idea that I understand VW are still considering - the main benefit would actually be the US market.

VW can't import current vans to the US because of the so called chicken tax, and there is a big camper/retro market there to tap into.

My own guess is that a microbus retro style vehicle would be a niche vehicle, size and practicality may not be top priorities.

For example if Danbury can repaint and refit water cooled Brazil T2's and convince people to pay 50k for them, then VW may as well do it themselves, there is clearly some kind of market there.

James

 

[danny13]

I saw photos of a VW concept microbus in the press a couple of years ago and looked superb. They would however have to make it a lot bigger for me to buy!

The eT van looks pretty cool.....

not sure about the retro styled Bulli myself...

 

[Calincolnshire]

When I was at the motorhome show at the NEC a couple of weeks ago the VW Rep who actually owned his own CALI said that there were quite a few of the Beach models that dealers were struggling to shift and especially ones in yellow. I must admit I kind of like the colour but can understand why others may prefer it in a more subtle hew. However having ordered our SE 140 and it having a very reasonable 10 week delivery time it would appear the order books are a little less full . Also with Christmas now looming £30K+ for anything is a lot of cash and with end of year approaching I assume the dealers will want to shift some metal and hence the discount.

As for the T6 design, the current VW family face as seen on the UP and new Golf is likely to feature. Also the new Ford Transit although a thoroughly new vehicle is still a box with the new Ford Aston like front end. So I don't expect anything radical as far as the T6 is concerned.

 

[James]

Yellow is lovely.

It's a pale yellow so not very bright. Everyone who sees it loves it but I understand the caution.

Most of the dealer demo's appear to be yellow, I guess to make them stand out.

There is a night blue Beach for sale at Citygate - that looks lovely and one of the very few UK Beaches to have full climtronic. A worthwhile option on the Beach I feel.

The problem for the Beach is the price structure of VW in the UK.

Cramming it in above high specced Caravelles makes it difficult to justify, and UK customers have never really taken to the idea of multi purpose vans. It's quite a different buying culture in the UK to other markets.

Anyone who has spent time with my Beach loves the concept, the problem is translating that to the UK buying public.

I personally think VW UK should have kept to the line up of other LHD and RHD markers

Transporter
Caravelle
Multivan

Multivan California and Beach
Multivan Business

Obviously VW know far more than me and have spent millions on research but in some respects the UK does lose it.

one problem is selling Calis through Van dealers who seem perplexed by them, that doesn't help, and why it is so important that we have dealerships like SMG.

James

 

[Calincolnshire]

The nearly new Beach models at under £30k are very close to top end Large MPVs however offer so much more versatility and this is something VW do not seem to be pushing.
As a car nut I pretty much know every model by every manufacturer , but it was not until I started to look at campers that I stumbled across the beach. So a hidden gem I think .
Interestingly as Custard says the Van centre thing does not help however good they are. Also the Cali models do not appear in the pages of the well known car magazines model guides, so limiting potential customer exposure. However I am looking forward to becoming a member of an exclusive club that California ownership brings, ( 9 weeks to go ) whooohoo .

 

[James]

The nearly new Beach models at under £30k are very close to top end Large MPVs however offer so much more versatility and this is something VW do not seem to be pushing.
As a car nut I pretty much know every model by every manufacturer , but it was not until I started to look at campers that I stumbled across the beach. So a hidden gem I think .
Interestingly as Custard says the Van centre thing does not help however good they are. Also the Cali models do not appear in the pages of the well known car magazines model guides, so limiting potential customer exposure. However I am looking forward to becoming a member of an exclusive club that California ownership brings, ( 9 weeks to go ) whooohoo .

Totally agree a hidden gem.

To be car bore (again) the multivan concept started in the 80's has had poor results, the Beach is basically a multivan (one slider) with a pop top. Vw tried importing Multivans with the T4 and they didn't sell.

We still don't get T5 multivans in the UK but the Beach is as close as. i find the more you own the Beach the more it makes sense. it really is a great everyday vehicle.

In Germany the Beach sits above Caravelle (UK Shuttles) and with the bottom end of the Multivan range.

You do have hunt down the Beach, I was close to importing a T5 multivan or buying a Velle.

What have you bought and what options you gone for?

James

 

[Calincolnshire]

Very interesting reading. I'm now going to look up Multivans .

We have gone for the 140 SE with F&R parking sensors , tyre monitors, black awning , natural grey paint , DAB and privacy glass.
We were like kids in a toy shop with all the options but reality set in and we went for the basics really. So with a good discount from Gilder van centre we are planning ( build permitting) to pick it up first week in th new year.

 

[James]

Very interesting reading. I'm now going to look up Multivans .

We have gone for the 140 SE with F&R parking sensors , tyre monitors, black awning , natural grey paint , DAB and privacy glass.
We were like kids in a toy shop with all the options but reality set in and we went for the basics really. So with a good discount from Gilder van centre we are planning ( build permitting) to pick it up first week in th new year.

Sounds good

Yeah - have a look at multivans - it is what the Cali and the Beach are based upon, I've bored enough pople on here about them So just do a search.

James

 

[deedee]

I always thought UK caravelle was multivan? What does the German multivan gain over UK models?

As already said the Caravelle in Germany is like our shuttle.
The beach to me seems like a slightly lower spec Caravelle se but with pop roof and camping table, chairs multi flex board.
Its certainly a lot more Caravelle than California I'd say?

 

[James]

I always thought UK caravelle was multivan? What does the German multivan gain over UK models?

As already said the Caravelle in Germany is like our shuttle.
The beach to me seems like a slightly lower spec Caravelle se but with pop roof and camping table, chairs multi flex board.
Its certainly a lot more Caravelle than California I'd say?

Different dash and the option of a one sliding door version plus some trim and engine options we don't get in the UK.

You can also have the Pan Americana - VW's T5 Off Road T5 - as mentioned on this forum before, bit like Passat Alltrack.

Multivans are designed to be that, multi-purpose-vans. Caravelles have always been traditionally people movers, more basic. That's why it's odd in the UK, take ED25, it's a Velle, but Caravelle's have been around since 1983 (ish). yes, Multivans are 25 years old, but not Velles. Still, does not stop the UK ED25 being a seriously seriously nice and desirable vehicle and I don't doubt it will become something of a collectors item,

You're right about the Beach in the respect as it has the more basic door cards compared to the full Cali which clearly has the slightly plusher multivan ones (they look different).

You're right really, the Beach cab, both dash and door cards are clearly lower spec van ones, the back half is kind of similar to a one slider multivan (without the flip out table). So, yes, probably fair to say the Beach is closer to a German Velle. I think of it as a Multivan because I am used to VW Multivans with the one sliding door.

James

 

[David Eccles]

Sales of Beach have been below expectations for sure, not shifting of forecourts despite lots of lookers
VWs T6 will prob be a T5 style with hybrid drive
and yes ET is very very cool..especially the come to me bit!

 

[James]

Sales of Beach have been below expectations for sure, not shifting of forecourts despite lots of lookers
VWs T6 will prob be a T5 style with hybrid drive
and yes ET is very very cool..especially the come to me bit!

What were the sales expectations?

James

 

[Chainline]

We currently have a 2010 180 DSG California, which I need to change in April 2012, should anyone be interested ;-) [I have it in lieu of a company car and it must be under 3 yrs old etc etc] We love it and cant see us being without this kind of vehicle but we have used it much more as a day type van and sleeping two. We have camped with all 4 of us on extended trips abroad, but mostly we havent needed the cooking facilities. As such we were seriously looking at changing to a Beach, However when used to the luxuries/essentials of the Cali SE the Beach, at retail, is very overpriced in my opinion and the prices offered for the Ex Demo ar emuch more reasonable/representative of what I think people want at that level. I really think, in terms of equipment VW missed a trick with the Beach and its spec (No heater as standard, no hook up etc. To get what I would call the essentials that we have found we @need@ in our Cali it was going to cost me £43k, the same as buying a higher spec Cali SE, except I don't need the wardrobes, cooker and sink.

I'm not sure it will change to be honest as most people want to move more towards the full Cali. If we were two people I probably still would, but we are 4 (two kids) and we mountain bike and kayak, so I need more internal gear space but the ability for us to sleep for a night or two and eat at the pub, or use a stove if the weather is good.

So for me it's cheaper to spec a Kombi cab to that of a Cali SE, and then get a conversion with a reimo roof/downstairs bed, leather, fridge/night heater and insulated/lined possibly even with a Styling coversion for good measure.

If the beach was £32k with a few sensible std features like a night heater, parking sensors, heated seats, hook up and a proper 3 seater rear bench with a Cali style drawer I'd be after it like a shot.

 

[James]

We currently have a 2010 180 DSG California, which I need to change in April 2012, should anyone be interested ;-) [I have it in lieu of a company car and it must be under 3 yrs old etc etc] We love it and cant see us being without this kind of vehicle but we have used it much more as a day type van and sleeping two. We have camped with all 4 of us on extended trips abroad, but mostly we havent needed the cooking facilities. As such we were seriously looking at changing to a Beach, However when used to the luxuries/essentials of the Cali SE the Beach, at retail, is very overpriced in my opinion and the prices offered for the Ex Demo ar emuch more reasonable/representative of what I think people want at that level. I really think, in terms of equipment VW missed a trick with the Beach and its spec (No heater as standard, no hook up etc. To get what I would call the essentials that we have found we @need@ in our Cali it was going to cost me £43k, the same as buying a higher spec Cali SE, except I don't need the wardrobes, cooker and sink.

I'm not sure it will change to be honest as most people want to move more towards the full Cali. If we were two people I probably still would, but we are 4 (two kids) and we mountain bike and kayak, so I need more internal gear space but the ability for us to sleep for a night or two and eat at the pub, or use a stove if the weather is good.

So for me it's cheaper to spec a Kombi cab to that of a Cali SE, and then get a conversion with a reimo roof/downstairs bed, leather, fridge/night heater and insulated/lined possibly even with a Styling coversion for good measure.

If the beach was £32k with a few sensible std features like a night heater, parking sensors, heated seats, hook up and a proper 3 seater rear bench with a Cali style drawer I'd be after it like a shot.

Hi

i take what you are saying about the Beach but to stack it with goodies misses the point. It does look expensive in the UK, especially against the Caravelle.

The reason why the Beach is more basic is because it is designed to be a throw everything at it vehicle. It's more basic nature is what attracts people to it. For example, plastic floor, basic door cards, it means the wear and tear should not effect it as much.

The Beach does come with three seater bench or a two seater bench, depending whether you are looking for an MPV vehicle or just a camping vehicle. It also has bags of storage space and having spent five nights in mine it was great to have the room.

Yes, equipment is poor in comparison and you have to decide on a personal level whether the Beach concept/idea is for you and therefore worth paying for. I don't miss the goodies to be honest, there are things I would have had or sourced like Cimtronic but not having things has never spoilt my enjoyment of the Beach.

I would say it's not cheaper to spec a Kombi up to a camper, not if your intention is to have a vehicle with all the goodies. A Kombi (non sportline) is about 19 to 26k, then if you want the goodies, that will be extra plus the cost of the conversion.

I own a VW Vanagon (Multivan Weekend Camper) and the Beach was and is perfect for me. It's used as a daily driver and when we want to go away it covers that.

James

 

[smgcowfoldparts]

I really like the Beach (especially James' one), and it would be good for me as a multi-purpose vehicle. Thought about it for a bit, but as my wife hates camping I realised I would be on my own a lot.

Going to keep an eye on the prices though. We have a silver one that we are running as a demo that looks very nice!

cheers

 

[James]

I really like the Beach (especially James' one), and it would be good for me as a multi-purpose vehicle. Thought about it for a bit, but as my wife hates camping I realised I would be on my own a lot.

Going to keep an eye on the prices though. We have a silver one that we are running as a demo that looks very nice!

cheers

That's very kind of you to say that Alex

I've tried to create a Beach which has some mods, but looks like it is factory spec. I also wanted to capture something of the classic veedub spirit.

That's the other thing with the Beach, the smile factor It's a joy to own, to go away in, to drive. I am not a serious camping person, I looked at Kombi's (lovely) Caravelles (more car than I will ever need) and I looked at California's but I just don't need an all out camper. I use the Beach everyday and it's such a surprising vehicle.

I guess it is expensive, or seems it without the 'toys'. But it's not like you really go without. Depending on which version you have a big people carrier, a camping vehicle and a van when you need it. Add in the smile, and I see it as good value for money.

I take it you mean this one.

http://www.smgvans.co.uk/a-view-details ... icle_id=86

Unusual -2 seater with the additional swivel seat - plus parking heater, I'd want to pay a bit less, but the parking heater is very nice to have and in a two seater it is good to have the additional seat. i wouldn't say this was an unreasonable price.

James

 

[Paul S]

There is a paragraph in the Which Motorhome magazine bumper test (December issue available now) where they say the T6 is not coming out "until 2016, you read it here first" so if they are right there's plenty of life left in the old dog yet

 

[NickE]

I imagine the upcoming euro 6 emission standards will affect the timetable. Maybe new engines in 2014/2015?

 

[choplee]

I imagine the upcoming euro 6 emission standards will affect the timetable. Maybe new engines in 2014/2015?

you got it about right ...if you look at the vw Transporters series they follow around the 11 yr update replacement cycle for them ....