T7 California Hybrid to be presented in June 2021?

[Jonathan Duke]

Assume this new T7/Bulli/Multivan will be sold through the vw “passenger” retail outlets, not their commercial outlets. This may provide a better customer experience I guess but also allow the current T6.1 “transporter” product to continue somewhat separately in a different retail space. I’m not sure now many potential caravelle customers previously went between dealerships to compare with the sharan etc.

 

[WelshGas]

So, according to some, the T6. 1 California is the last based on the Transporter Series, unless of course the Ford/VW cooperation is termed the T8.

 

[Leckford15]

Information published yesterday suggests that the Multivan will not form the base for the next California range.

Instead , the California will continue to be built on the T6.1 platform.

 

[subthree]

the California will continue to be built on the T6.1 platform.

I agree, but for how long will VW produce the 6.1 and hence the California?

 

[blondebier]

I agree, but for how long will VW produce the 6.1 and hence the California?

I did think that the T7 designation was pretty quick to arrive.

Looking back at the previous generations, the numbers seemed to advance every 12 years or so.

T1 – Type 2 (1950–1967)
T2 – Type 2 (1967–1979)
T3 – Type 2 (1979–1992)
T4 – Transporter (1990–2003)
T5 – Transporter (2003–2015)
5.1 2003–2009 (pre facelift)
5.2 2009–2015 (facelift)
T6 – Transporter (2016–present)
6.1 2020-present

Is the T6 going to be with us until 2028? That seems unlikely.

Maybe the push towards electric vehicles has made this generation obsolete more quickly?

 

[andyinluton]

T5 – Transporter (2003–2015)
5.1 2003–2009 (pre facelift)
5.2 2009–2015 (facelift)

Shouldn't that be T5 2002 - 2009
T5.1 2009 - 2015

Ive never heard T5.2 mention before.

 

[WelshGas]

There are already reports that VW have closed the Order Book for new Californias in some countries, until ? next year.

 

[blondebier]

Shouldn't that be T5 2002 - 2009
T5.1 2009 - 2015

Ive never heard T5.2 mention before.

Those are the transporter designations.

Volkswagen Transporter - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

They did facelift the T5 twice. (Sort of)

 

[subthree]

There are already reports that VW have closed the Order Book for new Californias in some countries, until ? next year.

Due to too many orders, or they are running down the 6.1 production already?

 

[WelshGas]

Due to too many orders, or they are running down the 6.1 production already?

Exactly. Who knows.

 

[reserves]

For anyone thinking they don’t like the new direction of the California, or are worries about order books closing then you could place an order for a T6.1

The deposits are fully refundable (distance selling regulations) if you don’t physically visit the dealership you order from.

 

[clarinetbcn]

Shouldn't that be T5 2002 - 2009
T5.1 2009 - 2015

Ive never heard T5.2 mention before.

On German forums the T5 is T5.1, and the T5.1 is T5.2. Confusing, especially since they use T6 and T6.1.

 

[clarinetbcn]

I agree, but for how long will VW produce the 6.1 and hence the California?

VW and Ford have already agreed that Ford will begin producing a new Transit at its factory in Turkey in 2024, with a rebadged version to be sold as the new Transporter. There are reports that remaining T6.1 production will be moved there some time before that, to free the Hannover factory to produce exclusively electric vehicles.

 

[HectaTheSpecta]

I know he is a tall chap but when he is standing behind it, it doesnt look tall enough to be a Cali [Contender]

I like some of the features in the T7 that were missed in the 6.1, Electronic Hand Brake and Push Stop / Start. HUD is an awesome feature too. All of these have been around for long enough and not cutting edge to have been included in the Cali already.

 

[subthree]

For anyone thinking they don’t like the new direction of the California, or are worries about order books closing then you could place an order for a T6.1

The deposits are fully refundable (distance selling regulations) if you don’t physically visit the dealership you order from.

Even though our 6.1 is only 12 months old, but 18 months since it was built, I am quite tempted to place an order at the end of 2021, early 2022, on the basis it would be delivered late 2022. I can make a decision then whether to accept, or cancel, the order.

To me the new T7 isn't going to be a Cali, or not one that I want, and I don't want a Ford builder's van either. I'm really good with change!

 

[andyinluton]

Looks like it would be easy to turn that into an aftermarket camper, remove front glass roof & add on a pop top.

Not keen on the multitude of different seats & seems strange not to have integrated seat belts in all of them & "spare" seat belts on the C pillar just in case a seat is positioned there.

With the reduced towing capacity & lower height it does seem more like a Sharon replacement than a T6.1

 

[Curryzz]

Ford are due to be making the "VW" transporter. Maybe yours will be one of the first!?

Hope not…..

 

[Mehdime]

The deposits are fully refundable (distance selling regulations) if you don’t physically visit the dealership you order from.

As far as I can make out, the deposit is refundable if you cancel your order within 14 days. After that, it’s a done deal - whether or not you can get a refund then will depend on the Volkswagen T&Cs of your order.

There is a get out of jail free card if the dealer failed to inform you of your right to cancel within 14 days (which in practice would be quite common I imagine during covid since sales staff have probably not all been trained in distance selling regulations. The dealer I ordered from over the phone certainly didn’t mention this). In that case, you have a year to cancel and get a refund.

Distance Sales FAQs

If you're thinking of buying a car without visiting a dealership, make sure you've read our distance sales FAQs to see how this differs

www.themotorombudsman.org

 

[WelshGas]

Why does a new California have to have the same dimensions as the T6. 1.The Marco Polo doesn't.

Mercedes Marco Polo - Key 2021 Specifications at a Glance

Key specifications at a glance for the Mercedes Marco Polo campervan: weight, engine capacity, bed sizes, tyre pressures, water tank capacity, fuel economy etc

campingsecrets.co.uk

 

[andyinluton]

Why does a new California have to have the same dimensions as the T6. 1.The Marco Polo doesn't.

Mercedes Marco Polo - Key 2021 Specifications at a Glance

Key specifications at a glance for the Mercedes Marco Polo campervan: weight, engine capacity, bed sizes, tyre pressures, water tank capacity, fuel economy etc

campingsecrets.co.uk

Any shorter & its too small inside, any longer & it won't fit standard parking bays.

Don't know what you are trying to say by referencing the Marco Polo, that was such a success that Mercedes have dropped it.

 

[WelshGas]

Any shorter & its too small inside, any longer & it won't fit standard parking bays.

Don't know what you are trying to say by referencing the Marco Polo, that was such a success that Mercedes have dropped it.

Things can change. If VW want to continue with the California, long term, then things have to change. They have to move with the times. New engines, are they going to do that to the T6.1?
The Multivan and Caravelle have been the base vehicles for the Beach, Coast and Ocean. If the new Ford/VW collaboration is for just “commercial” vehicles then what will be the base vehicles in future? Trendline for the Beach, Highline for the Coast and Sportline for the Ocean?
There’s only a few years to go before a Diesel or Petrol California will cease to be available. Hybrids a few years longer.

Also, I can see why they would not immediately bring out a new T7 California if they are still making the T6.1 platform, but when that ceases production, they could.


“While the T7 Multivan offers improved passenger carrying ability, it’s not currently slated to form the basis for a new range of California campers - these will continue to be based on the T6.1 Transporter van”.

 

[Kayleigh]

Given the T7 uses the same platform as the Caddy Maxi, which has a load capacity of less than 650Kg, I can’t see how the T7 could be crafted into a full blown California. It’s more like a replacement for the Touran and Sharan combined, which will likely both be phased out in the next 24 months. Using the T7 name does seem a bit strange as it seems more of a ‘Sharan Maxi Life’ to me. It reminds me of the Renault Grand Espace from 15 years ago!

 

[Nand0]

I keep hearing people saying MQB cannot take higher loads, yet when I try to find concrete information about this, I always come back empty, so I'm not sure if the MQB platform itself has a limit on load capacity, or if there is enough flexibility to make a chasis that takes higher load while still being considered MQB.

Apparently the VW Atlas (muuhsive SUV in the US) also uses the MQB platform... that tractor can't be light.

Mind you, after seeing this T7 I'm quite disappointed. This is not a transporter, it's a Sharan, but who knows if there'll be a California based on it? there is a Caddy California after all

 

[2haw]

How do the 2nd row seats face backwards if the seat belts are mounted to the C pillar?

 

[andyinluton]

How do the 2nd row seats face backwards if the seat belts are mounted to the C pillar?

Those are spare belts for use with the 3rd row rear seats slid forward. rear row outer seats don't have integrated belts.