The new T6 Grand California ( XXL )

[bigmac77]

OMG what is with all this motorhome dissing? Are we superior because we drive round in essentially converted builders vans?

 

[Martynl123]

I wonder what sort of prices these will be starting at, and how long the list of optional extras will be.

 

[WelshGas]

OMG what is with all this motorhome dissing? Are we superior because we drive round in essentially converted builders vans?

Yes.
We could be driving a Caravan stuck on a Truck chassis.

The one big plus for such a vehicle if built, it's NOT WHITE and it would have a Full Vehicle 3 yr Warranty instead of a Warranty split between the vehicle and the converter.

 

[jamesC]

I moved on from a Beach to a Westfalia Columbus last year... Westfalia have a Crafter to launch in Düsseldorf, and with the Mercedes Marco Polo threat, I guess this is a good way to steel some limelight from that.

 

[GrannyJen]

OMG what is with all this motorhome dissing? Are we superior because we drive round in essentially converted builders vans?

I am not motorhome dissing,

It is first the other way round, in my case being dissed because I am "only a camper"...

Secondly it is a horses for courses thing. I've had my big white, it did the job that I bought it for, it will not do the job that I want it to do now, which is very much second regular car in the drive to adventure vehicle that can take me anywhere.

The idea of a "large California" at first seemed negative to me as I want the size, but now see where it's coming from. Do I want the integrated factory built job or the hassle that I got with my A Class where everything was the others fault, the base vehicle or the conversion.

 

[motacyclist]

I think it's just the roof flap thing open makes it look odd at the front. I might consider it if it wasn't too bulky; although I would prefer a California type elevating roof vehicle with a loo based on the LWB Transporter.

 

[Teejay]

Well I like it. The new standard Crafter is a good size for conversion not sure it needs the extra headroom. Seen a few of the .larger van conversions and they are good looking.

 

[Ambler]

There is undoubtedly a market for this size/type of vehicle so it is logical VW go after it.
More choice for us.

 

[hirsty]

I very much like the recent Crafter & am looking forward to seeing the new van - this concept drawing is based on the midsize version.

There are some real badass Crafter conversions on the T4/T5 forum with a bike garage under the fixed rear double-bed.

Bigger than a Cali & smaller than a Hymer (and not a Fiat or a Peugeot) may well suit me very nicely one day.

 

[RodCouncil]

Crafter is probably one of the best platforms out there, VW, bathroom space, genuine all year 4 berth, parking options and you can make swift progress.

It's a huge market dominated by Fiat / Pug / Cit so it's great news with VW bringing another factory built vehicle.

 

[bigmac77]

I am not motorhome dissing,

It is first the other way round, in my case being dissed because I am "only a camper"...

Secondly it is a horses for courses thing. I've had my big white, it did the job that I bought it for, it will not do the job that I want it to do now, which is very much second regular car in the drive to adventure vehicle that can take me anywhere.

The idea of a "large California" at first seemed negative to me as I want the size, but now see where it's coming from. Do I want the integrated factory built job or the hassle that I got with my A Class where everything was the others fault, the base vehicle or the conversion.

I didn't think you were, it was others I was referring too.

 

[panadero]

Named "California XXL".....that's too easy.....
A California is for decades a "T" with a raising roof!
What's next? a "California XS", based on a Caddy?

 

[The Merle]

It's not really any bigger than a club joker on the inside but a lot bigger on the outside, looks like it come with a fixed bed! That's the one think I don't get in big whites why do you need a fixed bed and what is wrong with converting a lounge bench or bed in the roof. Think i would still opt for a club jokerif I wanted more space.

 

[The Merle]

Named "California XXL".....that's too easy.....
A California is for decades a "T" with a raising roof!
What's next? a "California XS", based on a Caddy?

There is a caddy camper already

 

[motacyclist]

Named "California XXL".....that's too easy.....
A California is for decades a "T" with a raising roof!
What's next? a "California XS", based on a Caddy?

Good one, so it will be S, M, L, XL & XXL?

 

[Joker 1299]

Good one, so it will be S, M, L, XL & XXL?

Yeah, that's when the dwarf clairvoyant escapes from prison and you have a Small Medium at Large. Sorry, I'll get my coat.

 

[soulstyledevon]

It's not really any bigger than a club joker on the inside but a lot bigger on the outside, looks like it come with a fixed bed! That's the one think I don't get in big whites why do you need a fixed bed and what is wrong with converting a lounge bench or bed in the roof. Think i would still opt for a club jokerif I wanted more space.

Have to disagree with the fixed bed comment. If I ever needed a bigger van, it would absolutely need a fixed bed. Having the extra space I would want complete comfort and not having the hassle of making the bed every day.

 

[BagmanJim]

Too big for me personally but better than anything Fiat based.

 

[Teejay]

Just make sure you search "California XXL" rather than "California XXX" that enters you into a whole different category.

 

[Canary Bird]

After just finishing a trip of 10,000+kms in 5+ weeks with 5 people in a Cali Beach ... my emotional response (I still have yet to clean it up and put everything away!) ... the XXL would been great for wild camping (bathroom & shower!!) However, those tight hedged roads in Cornwall, narrow parking area entrances/exits at different locations, etc., etc., made me thankful that I didn't have a bigger foot print nor was any taller (can we say driving & parking in France!) than my Cali Beach. I confess that I would consider an XL Cali (Transporter) that was tall in the coming years - maybe.

I do absolutely love the idea that VW is getting into the camping game from the Caddy > Transporter > Crafter, so I support the XXL 110%, but just not my cup of tea right now ... though maybe several years down the road.

 

[Freeley]

I like it and it could be just what we'll be looking for when we upgrade in a few years.
I'm a big fan of burstner, dethleffs etc but to my mind they'll be missing a trick if, with all that headroom they don't include a roof stored lowering bed - something that's becoming more popular now and is something i would want.
I've done plenty of research over the last couple of years and still haven't found my ideal set up which would be the lowering bed INSTEAD of a fixed bed (they all seem to do it in conjunction with which I don't understand as you can't use them both at the same time), with increased lounge space as a result.
The new Crafter is an excellent van though and infinitely preferable to a Fiat/Peugeot but will be noticeably more expensive.
Having the whole vehicle warranted at your local VW dealer is a massive bonus over any MH and something that made a big difference when our Cali was under warranty with its various faults.
I'll be keeping a close eye on this!

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[Ksar- el-kebir]

It will have to compete for space with all the other great whites. Just one more vehicle unable to get under a height barrier or live comfortably in one parking space.

My thoughts exactly. I'm based in a flat and space is at a premium. Fuel consumption must be better too. Unusually I've bettered the official statistics. On a recent tour of Morocco the worst I got was 42.6 and the best 49.7.

 

[Ksar- el-kebir]

I like it and it could be just what we'll be looking for when we upgrade in a few years.
I'm a big fan of burstner, dethleffs etc but to my mind they'll be missing a trick if, with all that headroom they don't include a roof stored lowering bed - something that's becoming more popular now and is something i would want.
I've done plenty of research over the last couple of years and still haven't found my ideal set up which would be the lowering bed INSTEAD of a fixed bed (they all seem to do it in conjunction with which I don't understand as you can't use them both at the same time), with increased lounge space as a result.
The new Crafter is an excellent van though and infinitely preferable to a Fiat/Peugeot but will be noticeably more expensive.
Having the whole vehicle warranted at your local VW dealer is a massive bonus over any MH and something that made a big difference when our Cali was under warranty with its various faults.
I'll be keeping a close eye on this!

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

For me smaller is better and I wish VW would do the Caddy Maxilife Tramper here.

 

[GrannyJen]

My thoughts exactly. I'm based in a flat and space is at a premium. Fuel consumption must be better too. Unusually I've bettered the official statistics. On a recent tour of Morocco the worst I got was 42.6 and the best 49.7.

That's amazing consumption

 

[Adamvanman]

I like it and it could be just what we'll be looking for when we upgrade in a few years.
I'm a big fan of burstner, dethleffs etc but to my mind they'll be missing a trick if, with all that headroom they don't include a roof stored lowering bed - something that's becoming more popular now and is something i would want.
I've done plenty of research over the last couple of years and still haven't found my ideal set up which would be the lowering bed INSTEAD of a fixed bed (they all seem to do it in conjunction with which I don't understand as you can't use them both at the same time), with increased lounge space as a result.
The new Crafter is an excellent van though and infinitely preferable to a Fiat/Peugeot but will be noticeably more expensive.
Having the whole vehicle warranted at your local VW dealer is a massive bonus over any MH and something that made a big difference when our Cali was under warranty with its various faults.
I'll be keeping a close eye on this!

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Totally agree, we are looking to change to something bigger in a few years and we are also put off by the warranty issues with motohomes, especially when travelling overseas. Something that has a 5 year VW warranty that you could take into any dealer would be a no brainer.

I hope Volkswagen are reading all our positive comments put this into production some time in the future however sadly most concepts never make it to the production line.