The pics are up

[Eber123]

Hello,

What I have seen in various videos so far, I have to say, I like the new California a lot.

To replace the California on the T6.1 / T6 etc. chassis the VW designer have a difficult task to create something that is stylish, practical and future prove. Have they succeeded? I don't know, time will tell.

I will visit the Caravan Salon in Duesseldorf next week. Of course Volkswagen is on my list, so I hope I will get a chance to have a look at the new California (but I can imagine it will be besieged from a crowd of people).

We had the California Ocean T6 for 4x years and the GC 600 for 2 1/2 years. Please, don't be angry with me, I am spoiled, but I believe that in both campervans there is only really space for 2x people. I respected people who went with the California or GC on summer holidays with 4x people and a dog. I would not be able to do that. From that point of view it might be that the new California is not that bad.

But I get a better picture next week.

Regards,
Eberhard

 

[Kayleigh]

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.

Yes that’s correct..depends how you measure I guess. Do you go wall to wall or mattress size?

 

[Ruby Mouse]

I did really like it at first look - although I actually thought it was a marco polo. But I can't see it working as well on reflection. Black glass surfaces are a nightmare to care for, there's not much storage space if you have duvets, pillows, 42 litres of oatly barista and a porta potti, the beds are narrower and the vehicle is longer - losing the <5m status but gaining nothing in space. Like the MP, it feels a little too much style over substance in it's current form. Very pretty though.

 

[Corradobrit]

I did really like it at first look - although I actually thought it was a marco polo. But I can't see it working as well on reflection. Black glass surfaces are a nightmare to care for, there's not much storage space if you have duvets, pillows, 42 litres of oatly barista and a porta potti, the beds are narrower and the vehicle is longer - losing the <5m status but gaining nothing in space. Like the MP, it feels a little too much style over substance in it's current form. Very pretty though.

At least it gives us an idea what to expect if an ID Buzz Cali materialises.

 

[dspuk]

Tried to work out what this difference is with this Cali and the 6.1.

On the 6.1 (just been out to measure) it's 40cm.

It's hard to gauge the below but it looks like 25cm, maybe even 30 if generous.

So I THINK my first sizing through is right - it's about 15 - 20cm smaller all round, even with the LWB, so 20cm width and length. I'm the same height as the german chap that could not fit under the shower, and checked mine when out in it earlier. Feels like the usable height is about 5cm lower.

Measured the lower bed width, ours is 115 down vs the 108 measured in the video. TBH we have never had an issue with two of us in the 115.

 

[larrylamb]

Measured the lower bed width, ours is 115 down vs the 108 measured in the video. TBH we have never had an issue with two of us in the 115.

Wouldn't want it any smaller though tbh.

 

[Corradobrit]

Wouldn't want it any smaller though tbh.

Yes there is doable and then there is practical. The less space there is to manoeuvre the bigger the chance to disturb the other person. The lower cali bed is just about manageable. Anything narrower and you would have to have a very understanding partner.

 

[WelshGas]

Tried to work out what this difference is with this Cali and the 6.1.

On the 6.1 (just been out to measure) it's 40cm.

It's hard to gauge the below but it looks like 25cm, maybe even 30 if generous.

So I THINK my first sizing through is right - it's about 15 - 20cm smaller all round, even with the LWB, so 20cm width and length. I'm the same height as the german chap that could not fit under the shower, and checked mine when out in it earlier. Feels like the usable height is about 5cm lower.

Measured the lower bed width, ours is 115 down vs the 108 measured in the video. TBH we have never had an issue with two of us in the 115.

View attachment 113531

Managed perfectly OK with a single bed back in my Houseman days, with 4 days resident on-call and newly married.

 

[Kayleigh]

At least it gives us an idea what to expect if an ID Buzz Cali materialises.

The Buzz is much narrower, especially at the rear. My money is on a Beach style camper Only for the Buzz (if it materialises). The platform would not take the weight of a full conversion.

 

[Ruby Mouse]

At least it gives us an idea what to expect if an ID Buzz Cali materialises.

Lovecampers did a sweet buzz conversion.

 

[Corradobrit]

Lovecampers did a sweet buzz conversion.

The conversions I've seen are less than impressive. I'm more curious what the factory will design.

 

[Corradobrit]

ABAB are on location at the Caravan Salon. So useful tidbits
The induction can only be used on EHU. It's a concept and what actually makes it onto the production model is uncertain. Li ion leisure batteries.

 

[dspuk]

ABAB are on location at the Caravan Salon. So useful tidbits
The induction can only be used on EHU. It's a concept and what actually makes it onto the production model is uncertain. Li ion leisure batteries.

Feels a concept in name only (as Tom says in the TG video). This is a pretty advanced state of development. The concepts we used to make were basically shells. Any knob you tried to turn would fall off in your hand. This looks nigh on finished. I’d agree that production will be dialled back a little but not a lot. Much of what you see here though feels like a 100k top spec (with a hybrid engine). The 70K version is going to look and feel a lot different.

The triangle awning is cool though. Given we already have a rail on the other side I’d buy that.

 

[Corradobrit]

The 70K version is going to look and feel a lot different.

Sounds ominous

 

[Digger]

Sounds ominous

As the hybrid multivan costs over £65k as an mpv any camper version will be an awful lot more. VW know how to charge. That said the multivan is growing on me. Saw a white German registered multivan and it looked good.

 

[dspuk]

ABAB are on location at the Caravan Salon. So useful tidbits
The induction can only be used on EHU. It's a concept and what actually makes it onto the production model is uncertain. Li ion leisure batteries.

A phoned in video. Literally. Shame, missed opportunity if actually there. But - a good view of the actual rear cupboard space.

 

[Aidy P]

They’ve dropped the ball in my opinion.

• Reduced usable space
• Narrower beds
• Less storage
• Over designed with tech

I’m just back from a 11 country trip with four of us in our T6. We pack light (see photo). We wouldn’t all fit in this. It’s too small. Where do you put your pillows, sleeping bags, clothes, coats, shoes, extra 2 chairs, chocks, toiletries, first aid, games, books, towels, food and miscellaneous bits that you need when camping… that with us takes up a couple of plastic boxes and the cupboards and drawers.

This is not a family campervan.

 

[Corradobrit]

They’ve dropped the ball in my opinion.

• Reduced usable space
• Narrower beds
• Less storage
• Over designed with tech

I’m just back from a 11 country trip with four of us in our T6. We pack light (see photo). We wouldn’t all fit in this. It’s too small. Where do you put your pillows, sleeping bags, clothes, coats, shoes, extra 2 chairs, chocks, toiletries, first aid, games, books, towels, food and miscellaneous bits that you need when camping… that with us takes up a couple of plastic boxes and the cupboards and drawers.

This is not a family campervan.

View attachment 113554

Practicality is definitely not its strong suit.

 

[Kayleigh]

They’ve dropped the ball in my opinion.

• Reduced usable space
• Narrower beds
• Less storage
• Over designed with tech

I’m just back from a 11 country trip with four of us in our T6. We pack light (see photo). We wouldn’t all fit in this. It’s too small. Where do you put your pillows, sleeping bags, clothes, coats, shoes, extra 2 chairs, chocks, toiletries, first aid, games, books, towels, food and miscellaneous bits that you need when camping… that with us takes up a couple of plastic boxes and the cupboards and drawers.

This is not a family campervan.

View attachment 113554

Having a lower interior roof height has a negative impact of rear visibility thanks to the large aircraft style locker.

 

[Van Diesel VW]

Don’t find the rear visibility on my T6.1 that good, headrests get in the way, if folded down takes up valuable boot shelf space, this looks worse though. Lack of storage is the main negative for me. Needs a bench seat in the rear.

 

[Aidy P]

Having a lower interior roof height has a negative impact of rear visibility thanks to the large aircraft style locker.

View attachment 113555

My rule when driving is ‘we can take as much as we can … as long as I can see out of the rear window and there is nothing loose that could come flying through if I have to emergency brake’. I also need to be able to move the gear from the rear shelf to the front so I can put the bed down without taking anything outside if it’s raining.

It amazes me when I see vans at sites that are stuffed to the ceiling and kids are packed in with so much ‘stuff’ that they can’t move.

We managed to pack this set up into our van this summer for our trip to a music festival in Budapest. Bigger items included the awning, extra chairs, 2 folding camp tables and a camp bed for the awning. We each had a soft hold-all for clothes. We still needed raincoats and shoes during the trip as it tipped it down in Czechia on the way. I could not see it fitting into the concept vehicle.

I wonder who VW use for its market research? They should employ a few users from this forum that actually travel and camp. Instead they probably use a metropolitan hipster agency populated by people who don’t camp (and wouldn’t spend the money required to buy this product anyway). I’d feel a prat turning up at a site and turning on the neon mood lighting. It wouldn’t stay on for long though as the concept van would be full of moths and biting insects.

 

[mountainman]

OMG That is crazy. Completely over the top. And at what price? What bothers me about this sort of thing, and yes I am prepared for the backlash here, there is absolutely no recognition of the world we currently face. When will we start getting real?

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

OMG That is crazy. Completely over the top. And at what price? What bothers me about this sort of thing, and yes I am prepared for the backlash here, there is absolutely no recognition of the world we currently face. When will we start getting real?

I think there are plenty of people who think it is absolutely spot on, easily affordable for them and will suit them perfectly. Plenty of other options available for those with alternative needs and budgets. We won’t be getting one for exactly that reason!

 

[sidepod]

My rule when driving is ‘we can take as much as we can … as long as I can see out of the rear window and there is nothing loose that could come flying through if I have to emergency brake’. I also need to be able to move the gear from the rear shelf to the front so I can put the bed down without taking anything outside if it’s raining.

It amazes me when I see vans at sites that are stuffed to the ceiling and kids are packed in with so much ‘stuff’ that they can’t move.

We managed to pack this set up into our van this summer for our trip to a music festival in Budapest. Bigger items included the awning, extra chairs, 2 folding camp tables and a camp bed for the awning. We each had a soft hold-all for clothes. We still needed raincoats and shoes during the trip as it tipped it down in Czechia on the way. I could not see it fitting into the concept vehicle.

I wonder who VW use for its market research? They should employ a few users from this forum that actually travel and camp. Instead they probably use a metropolitan hipster agency populated by people who don’t camp (and wouldn’t spend the money required to buy this product anyway). I’d feel a prat turning up at a site and turning on the neon mood lighting. It wouldn’t stay on for long though as the concept van would be full of moths and biting insects.

View attachment 113559

Right well, that’s VW told then!

 

[toeknee]

Looks stunning