Collfryn
We had a T6 Ocean from new in 2016, and this June we took ownership of a new 6.1 Ocean. Although longer trips have not been possible we have driven around 1100 miles and managed a few overnight stops. Both vehicles had very similar levels of equipment. With a price difference of over £11k (an increase of about around 20% 0ver 4 years), how to the two models compare?
The exterior facelift is down to personal choice. We like it, especially in the new metallic Fortana red. Inside, the 6.1 is a darker shade grey with concrete effect cabinets. If it’s an attempt to make the upholstery more serviceable as a camper then it fails because the seats mark at the slightest touch just as easily as the moonstone of the 6.0. Not wanting to drive around on slippery plastic covers again for 3 years and finding the inside all sooo very grey we decided to go for some red and grey leather seat covers from Trim Technick in Birkenhead (great company). Nice. We also like the changes to the rear wardrobe and the replacement of the tambour door by sliding doors which make the cupboard more accessible. Upstairs we’ve tried the new sprung bed and think its an improvement also.
The cockpit area on the 6.1 is a huge disappointment. Gone are the compartments with closing lids on the top of the dash, above the glove box and the bottle holder below the gearshift. Just one small glove box remains, the rest replaced by a scrappy set of open shelves that leaves everything in the cockpit on display and sliding around when you drive around bends. All set off by some tacky metal effect trim pieces. The door cards are really awful one piece plastic and look like they came straight out of a builders van. Pull in the wrong place to close the door and the whole assembly bends! Come on VW what were you thinking about. Did you ever think of canvassing users views. Ironic really because we turned down the Grand California because the cab was so spartan and utilitarian. And while I’m having a rant, the new satnav has had me raving like John Cleese trying to work out how the so called touch sensitive –user intuitive- functions operate the bloody the thing. And to cap it all there’s no longer traffic updates shown on screen and on the map as you drive. I think you have to pay a subscription to We Connect for the privilege. I got so frustrated I decided to use my iphone via Apple Car but then I realized that all the USB sockets have been upgraded to USB-C so none of my charging leads would fit. Doh!.
I wanted to install my Thinkware 770 dashcam from the 6.0. Don’t even think about hardwiring into the new high level console above the dash. It now contains a very expensive looking colour touch screen and for added excitement an airbag. Lets just hope the little knob is not as weak as the one on the 6.0. Fortunately the cabin fuse box has been relocated to the lower right below the steering wheel and its very easy to run the cables down the A post and into the removable panel on the door side of the dash. Of course being VW there’s no legend available anywhere for the fuses so whatever you do remember to disconnect the battery and then wait for the dash to light up like a Christmas tree when you reconnect.
As to performance we notice that the 199 PS 6.1 has distinctly less oomph than the 204Ps 6.0 . We regularly returned around 34mpg in the 204, but with the new 199 we seem to be averaging between 30 and 32 mpg. Maybe its early days but I guess less power may reduce front tyres scrubbing when pulling away at junctions.
All in all we would say we’re neutral about whether the new model is an improvement. It’s certainly not a big leap forward. But then the thing about the Cali is that all the gripes and groans evaporate as soon as you get back on the road and enjoy the unbeatable versatility of this vehicle.
The exterior facelift is down to personal choice. We like it, especially in the new metallic Fortana red. Inside, the 6.1 is a darker shade grey with concrete effect cabinets. If it’s an attempt to make the upholstery more serviceable as a camper then it fails because the seats mark at the slightest touch just as easily as the moonstone of the 6.0. Not wanting to drive around on slippery plastic covers again for 3 years and finding the inside all sooo very grey we decided to go for some red and grey leather seat covers from Trim Technick in Birkenhead (great company). Nice. We also like the changes to the rear wardrobe and the replacement of the tambour door by sliding doors which make the cupboard more accessible. Upstairs we’ve tried the new sprung bed and think its an improvement also.
The cockpit area on the 6.1 is a huge disappointment. Gone are the compartments with closing lids on the top of the dash, above the glove box and the bottle holder below the gearshift. Just one small glove box remains, the rest replaced by a scrappy set of open shelves that leaves everything in the cockpit on display and sliding around when you drive around bends. All set off by some tacky metal effect trim pieces. The door cards are really awful one piece plastic and look like they came straight out of a builders van. Pull in the wrong place to close the door and the whole assembly bends! Come on VW what were you thinking about. Did you ever think of canvassing users views. Ironic really because we turned down the Grand California because the cab was so spartan and utilitarian. And while I’m having a rant, the new satnav has had me raving like John Cleese trying to work out how the so called touch sensitive –user intuitive- functions operate the bloody the thing. And to cap it all there’s no longer traffic updates shown on screen and on the map as you drive. I think you have to pay a subscription to We Connect for the privilege. I got so frustrated I decided to use my iphone via Apple Car but then I realized that all the USB sockets have been upgraded to USB-C so none of my charging leads would fit. Doh!.
I wanted to install my Thinkware 770 dashcam from the 6.0. Don’t even think about hardwiring into the new high level console above the dash. It now contains a very expensive looking colour touch screen and for added excitement an airbag. Lets just hope the little knob is not as weak as the one on the 6.0. Fortunately the cabin fuse box has been relocated to the lower right below the steering wheel and its very easy to run the cables down the A post and into the removable panel on the door side of the dash. Of course being VW there’s no legend available anywhere for the fuses so whatever you do remember to disconnect the battery and then wait for the dash to light up like a Christmas tree when you reconnect.
As to performance we notice that the 199 PS 6.1 has distinctly less oomph than the 204Ps 6.0 . We regularly returned around 34mpg in the 204, but with the new 199 we seem to be averaging between 30 and 32 mpg. Maybe its early days but I guess less power may reduce front tyres scrubbing when pulling away at junctions.
All in all we would say we’re neutral about whether the new model is an improvement. It’s certainly not a big leap forward. But then the thing about the Cali is that all the gripes and groans evaporate as soon as you get back on the road and enjoy the unbeatable versatility of this vehicle.
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