The pics are up

[Corradobrit]

I like the look of it and the white stipe on the pop top, with wraparound, but judicious use of a wide angle lens on most interior shots is not a good look.

Photos are not a good gauge. It's the emotion evoked when it's seen in person that really count. I will be checking the Caliboard for reports from Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf.

 

[welcome to the hotel]

Saw a transporter load tonight on the way home. Opposite carriageway though. May have been T7 multi and.

 

[Lee.Van.Cleef]

Looks tidy. But storage is already inadequate in the Cali and this is a backward step in this regard. Might be OK for weekend for two. No use whatsoever for family touring.

 

[UrbanSplash]

Do you not just make the space work? Also with the split seats you can easy get from main space to the boot internally for when it’s raining. Couple of bags of clothes in the boot, wash bags in the side unit. Few pans and food. It’s not all bad. Even get a bag in between the front seats.

No fly screens on the doors winds me up. Designers have obviously never been to Scotland

 

[Kayleigh]

Hmm… that bellows fabric looks really familiar. Now where have I seen it before

 

[wildslammer22]

Action shots. Its def not a looker even with 2 tone paintjob, The dark poptop cowl against the white looks like an afterthought.

Compared to the beluga whale Grand Cali it’s a stunner! It looks more like a MP, not hideous but not to my taste.

 

[Jimmylondon07]

I surprisingly like it a lot, some really excellent design touches. I have got two kids and a dog to try and fit in there though so it’s probably not for me. If the base price will start around £70k are we thinking ~£80-85k for a hybrid with some options?

 

[sidepod]

V nice. They’ve put some thought into that. They’ll sell like hot cakes!

Those double doors are gonna mess up the CCC pitch parking police!!

 

[sidepod]

So , time to find a new Forum Uber-poster. Sorry WG but your time is up, unless you go 7?

Who’ll be the first to dive in?

The King is dead, long live the King.

 

[dripster]

This looks like the ultimate cool weekender, especially for couples and even maybe some small families. I'd love to try doing 2 weeks with the kids but think a bike rack with some storage on there would be the only way. Mind you, I'm virtually at that point now with the Beach!

First thing I'd probably do (although they may be extras or concept-only items) would be the throw away the beautiful but space-hungry cups and cutlery storage, and the spice rack, cram in some kids stuff. I think I'd manage with one size of cup!

But if this is as cool in the flesh, I'd probably be very tempted.

 

[Stu@rt]

Be interested to see the full payload specification too. Reduced space for sure. Those that travel with 4 already have to work with a restricted payload.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Looks great but can see it being far to small once you throw a extra few bodies, bags & bit of sporting gear in.

The reversible worktop /wooden chopping board(s) are a nice touch but the reality is that you will have a separate chopping board as you won’t want to damage the factory wood….so will need a space to store your chopping boards etc.

Although nice having a gas hob and induction just eats up more potential storage space as you still need a gas bottle. Plus you don’t really need 3 different ways of cooking in a small camper - induction, gas, bbq hot plate…you need clever storage space!

Haven’t looked at the videos, but does it come with solar panels as standard to assist with the additional power needs? Or will this be an extra price option.

The distance between front seats and end of the bed looks very short, given that camper photos usually make everything look bigger. So might be a pain if one wakes up early and wants to get dressed / out & about whilst everyone else is still asleep.

The word ‘concept’ is an accurate description.

 

[Van Diesel VW]

It’s far more attractive than I thought it was going to be, storage is a big concern for me and a place for the Porta Potti. Whilst a second door maybe an advantage in the UK, would have preferred a single door version to allow more storage. Price as shown has got to getting towards £100k. Also what’s the leisure battery setup / inverter for hob, if the hob only works on hookup not a lot of use. Would also like to see solar as a factory option.

 

[sidepod]

Some interesting engineering decisions there.
Double doors come with a big weight penalty , not just the doors but extra chassis weight to replace the lost torsional rigidity.

Sloping screen/narrow top help reduce the drag /increase range which the extra weight has impacted!

So is that not a full size Tranny version then?

 

[Corradobrit]

Looks great but can see it being far to small once you throw a extra few bodies, bags & bit of sporting gear in.

The reversible worktop /wooden chopping board(s) are a nice touch but the reality is that you will have a separate chopping board as you won’t want to damage the factory wood….so will need a space to store your chopping boards etc.

Although nice having a gas hob and induction just eats up more potential storage space as you still need a gas bottle. Plus you don’t really need 3 different ways of cooking in a small camper - induction, gas, bbq hot plate…you need clever storage space!

Haven’t looked at the videos, but does it come with solar panels as standard to assist with the additional power needs? Or will this be an extra price option.

The distance between front seats and end of the bed looks very short, given that camper photos usually make everything look bigger. So might be a pain if one wakes up early and wants to get dressed / out & about whilst everyone else is still asleep.

The word ‘concept’ is an accurate description.

No solar. And there are 3 power sources in the hybrid model. Starter battery, leisure batteries (lithium?) and hybrid. So the appliances run off the leisure batteries which are not going to last very long when using that induction plate.

The width of the lower bed looks practically useless for 2 average sized adults to sleep comfortably.

I also get the feeling the final production model is going to lose much of the aesthetic appeal this Concept model promotes.

The more I see the sun awning triangle the more I'm reminded of a fig leaf on a classical sculpture. I don't see any practical use for that shape if it's intended purpose is to create shade. I would appreciate integral fly screens. And talking about screens, has anyone seen them in the panels and doors?

 

[WelshGas]

So , time to find a new Forum Uber-poster. Sorry WG but your time is up, unless you go 7?

Who’ll be the first to dive in?

The King is dead, long live the King.

I’m waiting for the call from my Dealership and the order book to open, as long as there is a Hybrid or at least a Petrol drivetrain.

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

It’s very much a “glampervan” for 2 adults. I can’t see this working for a family of 4 like the T6.1 does.

 

[Camperfamily]

We’re a family of 5, so we’re out, unless there’s a suitable Beach version. Not getting a 5th seat or Multimac in this one.

 

[andyinluton]

Looks to be a real lack of storage - lost the two under hob cupboards, the sink takes up what was the bottom of the wardrobe, 2 small draws under the rear seats so lost the big draw. Outside table under the bed extension looses a fair bit of hight.
No opening rear windows - I suppose its one way of stopping them leaking.

I do like the position of the fridge & being able to cook in front of a big open door, it was the best bit about the GC

It does look like they've done a decent job of fitting as much as they can into a smaller space.

 

[bgg1b]

I’ve watch several videos now. There are some nice touches and it’s a definite step up in terms of aesthetics, and some interesting ‘concepts’ in the Concept. It will be interesting to see what elements carry over to the bigger brother on the VW/Ford true van collaboration. I can only really see living with the Concept as is as a 90% daily driver and 10% odd cup of tea in a parkup. The ability to change the configuration of the back seats is a nice touch depending on whether you want to transport people or things and plays to the strengths of it being a daily driver.
But the more I watch, I’ve started to see beyond the looks and see there are too many compromises, such as having to juggle the lids on the hob/sink - where will you put them? The pull out cutlery/cup drawers are too much drawer and not enough internal space. A pull out grill outside electric grill is an interesting idea, but I wouldn’t want to put a greasy appliance back into the kitchen block. Having to open the boot to get the only table out and then lug it inside won’t be much fun in bad weather. There are no windows in the sliding doors, so ventilation with the roof down will be limited. The absence of good amount of storage limits is a big barrier for true camping usability and the downstairs bed is pretty narrow.

 

[2haw]

I think it looks really nice.

I would prefer the main awning on the opposite side of the kitchen like the current Cali.

Where does the double camping chair store?

No sign of integrated blinds from what I watched but sure it must have them.

 

[2haw]

Lack of ventilation for the downstairs bed at night would be a problem for me, the current van is bad enough.

 

[Corradobrit]

Lack of ventilation for the downstairs bed at night would be a problem for me, the current van is bad enough.

I guess the designers felt the cab windows are so far back they could eliminate the sliding door ventilation.

 

[pluc99]

I'm missing the slide out interior table. It may sound silly but it is a huge convenience when taking a break from long distance driving. Being able to make up a single bed is also interesting, leaving enough floor space for the dog on stealthy nights when you don't want to pop the roof.

Overall they did a better job than I expected. It'll be interesting to see if they come up with a Beach version, combining the pop up roof with the modularly flexible interior.

 

[BeeBee]

Lots of very relevant comments on what overall looks to me as ‘more techy, less practical’.
Less useable space, where do we hang clothes, for us of us who use the wardrobe (I’m blaming all of you who changed to shelved units …lol)
Less ventilation with lack of side windows, I guess they think it’s always dry n sunny and both doors will be open !
Looks like you ‘hover over a chair whilst using the sink, in that position.
Immediately above the extendable induction hob is a hanging handle for use on entry from that side and that’s with the passenger chair swivelled. When the chair is in ‘normal mode, how close will pots be !!!!
Overall lots of ‘clever wee bits n pieces’ but practicality ….. mmmmm, not so sure.