The pics are up

[Lee.Van.Cleef]

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

The space looks fine for living in. Not sure where you'd put the awning, bags of welly boots and clothes. Also it does look a bit too nice & hence fragile for camping with kids.

 

[andywa119]

Looks great, but a bit gimmicky. Lack of storage means it would be unsuitable for us. You would have to keep everything in bags

Sent from my SM-N981B using Tapatalk

 

[Grigio Van Grigio]

Looks more like a lifestyle van to me (glampervan as @OooOooTheMonkey put it). It really looks nice but the second sliding door throws up too many compromises for me. I’d never cook outside and you’ve lost all that storage. The easily accessible internal table is missing and this is the one thing in my new 6.1 I like the most over my T4. Overall, dimensions look smaller but would need to see it in the flesh and see what it feels like when in it. However, from what I’ve seen on the video’s and looking at the dimensions of the Multivan, I cant help but this it’s going to be noticeably smaller inside. I don’t understand the inclusion of the gas and electric hobs. One or the other surely? Perhaps the electric hob will be an option? Surely solar would be a must in this van. Would definitely need to be a factory option at least. Great to finally see an electronic parking brake and front seats that are both easy to swivel.

If prices really do start at £70k, I suspect that would be a much pared back version to the one we’re looking at in the videos. Like for like, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a £15k differential with the outgoing van.

All in all, I do really like the internal design and the direction they’ve taken it but it wouldn’t work for me. Although I’m probably not their target market anyway.

 

[Elmo3]

It looks better than I thought it would and there are some nice touches. Good that it’s on the longer wheelbase but can‘t see where all the camping ‘stuff’ would go. My biggest concern would be all the tech packing up outside of warranty and being held to ransom by VW dealers.

 

[Camperfamily]

@pluc99 regarding the interior table, I spotted an extra leg on the outdoor table, which looks like the same leg on the interior table from T5-6.1 Calis. See below annotated screenshot from the video I linked to above.

I’ve not seen anyone mention this yet - can this table be attached to the kitchen and used inside?

 

[pluc99]

@pluc99 regarding the interior table, I spotted an extra leg on the outdoor table, which looks like the same leg on the interior table from T5-6.1 Calis. See here. Not seen anyone mention this yet - can this table be attached to the kitchen and used inside?

View attachment 113517

Yes, I noticed it as well. The kitchen unit has a slot for the table. That may be useful when camping, but not so much on a quick highway rest break. I just don't see myself running to the back, shifting the baggage to slide out the table and 15 minutes later running out to put it away again... and that in good weather, never mind a snowy winter day.

 

[Camperfamily]

@pluc99 if it were to be built into the RHS sliding door on the production version then that could work? They’ve managed to get the chairs into the tailgate, so I can’t see why not the table into the sliding door - perhaps haven’t got to that yet.

Meanwhile Ford have now got chairs in tailgate and table in sliding door in their new Nugget

 

[Corradobrit]

@pluc99 regarding the interior table, I spotted an extra leg on the outdoor table, which looks like the same leg on the interior table from T5-6.1 Calis. See below annotated screenshot from the video I linked to above.

I’ve not seen anyone mention this yet - can this table be attached to the kitchen and used inside?

View attachment 113517

Yes, see last pic in post #12

 

[ArunAlec]

Probably my age but …. Why does everything have to be controlled via an App, just an added complication.

Whilst the interior looks swish, the trendy cutlery & cup storage drawers really don’t make the best use of their limited size.

 

[pluc99]

@pluc99 if it were to be built into the RHS sliding door on the production version then that could work? They’ve managed to get the chairs into the tailgate, so I can’t see why not the table into the sliding door - perhaps haven’t got to that yet.

Meanwhile Ford have now got chairs in tailgate and table in sliding door in their new Nugget

Isn't that what the Beach has now? That would work.

The new Nugget copying VW innovations is interesting given that the VW will be based on the same platform. Maybe VW will innovate as well with LWB, hot water, the 300w of solar and 5 passengers. It makes me hopeful for that future version.

 

[Grigio Van Grigio]

Yes, I noticed it as well. The kitchen unit has a slot for the table. That may be useful when camping, but not so much on a quick highway rest break. I just don't see myself running to the back, shifting the baggage to slide out the table and 15 minutes later running out to put it away again... and that in good weather, never mind a snowy winter day.

MyT4 Westy had the table under the rear bench seat. A real faff to use. In my 11 years of ownership I probably got it out a dozen times. In the T6.1 I’ve used the table more than that in the first month of ownership. It’s all about ease of use and accessibility.

 

[Elmo3]

Probably my age but …. Why does everything have to be controlled via an App, just an added complication.

Whilst the interior looks swish, the trendy cutlery & cup storage drawers really don’t make the best use of their limited size.

Yes, I must be getting old too! How long does an iPad last? Far less time than a Cali I would hope. iPad breaks, gets nicked etc. You can guarantee the replacement at the time won’t fit in the slot it’s supposed to or something becomes incompatible. A VW roof controlled by an ipad, you must be joking. I’ll stick to a manual roof thanks very much!

 

[sidepod]

MyT4 Westy had the table under the rear bench seat. A real faff to use. In my 11 years of ownership I probably got it out a dozen times. In the T6.1 I’ve used the table more than that in the first month of ownership. It’s all about ease of use and accessibility.

See that just proves a point. I have the 4 and I’ve never given a thought to the table under the bench seat, it’s just not a problem IMO.
Similarly, thousands and thousands of people won’t even think about the issues listed here, they’ll just buy it it blissful ignorance.

 

[ivan & jill]

I thought that I would just ignore this iteration of the cali because it was going to be too small even though we only camp as a couple. But, if it has a longer and wider body than the standard Multivan as the German video states, then I will have to give it a once over because I like some of the clever ideas although I agree with many of the downsides mentioned here. However, if I like the look of it in the showroom, then I know what's going to happen, they will take my money!

 

[CaliforniaSeb]

It certainly looks really cool. Especially when you are able to live outside in nice weather. Hybrid is pretty much end of life the same time that diesel or petrol are. They may fare better in the ever increasing and stricter ULEZ zones however. So personally I would wait till an all electric option is available. I am retiring in October so time to crack on and enjoy retirement and not hang around for an EV California. I think my wife and I are little inclined to pick holes in the new California because we have just forked out a small fortune on a t6.1! We love our t6.1 and plan to keep it as long as we can. So putting that aside, it does look really nice. Lovely design.

 

[reserves]

Not had time to read all the comments.

Absolutely love the concept. Spot on.

The only clear negative for me seems to be lack of storage! Not the end of the world, less is more sometimes with camping anyways!

 

[Sunstoner]

Really liking the updates a lot.

 

[WelshGas]

@pluc99 regarding the interior table, I spotted an extra leg on the outdoor table, which looks like the same leg on the interior table from T5-6.1 Calis. See below annotated screenshot from the video I linked to above.

I’ve not seen anyone mention this yet - can this table be attached to the kitchen and used inside?

View attachment 113517

Yes.

 

[Kayleigh]

OK, something that has not been mentioned much is the length of the Concept. It is nearly half a meter longer than a standard parking space. For anyone using as a daily driver that might be a bit problematic, especially in cities like London. On street parking could be quite tricky in Victorian designed residential streets.
Coincidentally, this Which article popped up in my Inbox this morning:

Cars too big for UK parking spaces - the worst culprits revealed - Which? News

Luxury models from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover are among the trickiest to park in standard-sized bays

www.which.co.uk

 

[Grigio Van Grigio]

OK, something that has not been mentioned much is the length of the Concept. It is nearly half a meter longer than a standard parking space. For anyone using as a daily driver that might be a bit problematic, especially in cities like London. On street parking could be quite tricky in Victorian designed residential streets.
Coincidentally, this Which article popped up in my Inbox this morning:

Cars too big for UK parking spaces - the worst culprits revealed - Which? News

Luxury models from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover are among the trickiest to park in standard-sized bays

www.which.co.uk

It’s something I noticed. It’s the length of a LWB T6.1 with less interior space.

 

[Elmo3]

Why do they insist on putting stupid bling wheels on these things? When you’re in the back of beyond in Scotland etc and your sidewall goes bang from a pothole, I’m sure you’ll be delighted with the big alloys and low profiles. Does it even have a spare?

 

[subthree]

I think it's a cool concept, but can't see us rushing out for one for our family of 4, just too small.

In one of the videos the journo measures the width of the downstairs bed and, I think, he said 1.08m. That's a tad too cosy for 2.

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

I think it's a cool concept, but can't see us rushing out for one for our family of 4, just too small.

In one of the videos the journo measures the width of the downstairs bed and, I think, he said 1.08m. That's a tad too cosy for 2.

A single mattress is 90cm wide, so it’s a mere 18 cm or 7 inches wider than a single bed. A T6.1 is 118cm wide I believe so that’s quite a bit bigger than the Concept. We couldn’t manage a narrower bed than the T6.1 as 2 adults. Anyone know how big the upstairs bed is on the Concept?

 

[Grigio Van Grigio]

A single mattress is 90cm wide, so it’s a mere 18 cm or 7 inches wider than a single bed. A T6.1 is 118cm wide I believe so that’s quite a bit bigger than the Concept. We couldn’t manage a narrower bed than the T6.1 as 2 adults. Anyone know how big the upstairs bed is on the Concept?

112cm I believe I saw in one of the videos.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Looks pretty amazing! Also looks like £100k!

Wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest. But think it’s pushing it somewhat.