What design changes would you like to see on a T7 California?

[Borris]

Do you think that sterling trading at 1:30 to the Euro before the Brexit vote, and 1:11 now might have something to do with VW increasing UK prices?

Yes, obviously.

 

[Jay586]

I agree that it is only the UK that has seen a recent reduction in car sales, maybe for the reasons that I have stated. However, IF they start to see a reduction in Cali sales in the UK, VW will have three choices:
1. Sit on their hands and do nothing.
2. Reduce prices or offer incentives like they did after the emissions crisis hit.
3. Stop selling Calis in the UK.
IMO, of the three options number two is how most businesses would approach a similar situation at least initially. It's only the principles of supply and demand in operation.

However, my views on current Cali sales and prices might turn out to be wrong.

Problem is do they really care about the UK Cali market?

If they did, they would have sorted the dealer network out years ago.

Is it even significant for them? Compared to the van market...but even the vans are markedly more expensive...

 

[Borris]

Problem is do they really care about the UK Cali market?

If they did, they would have sorted the dealer network out years ago.

Is it even significant for them? Compared to the van market...but even the vans are markedly more expensive...

Those are very good questions. I don't have any answers.

 

[alter]

Just right Enrico ..! from Italian I would never have wanted to enrich the Germans, but unfortunately these vehicles do not make them and I'm sorry ... the various options cost too much, led headlights DSG 4x4 alloy wheels. I can post a Seat XPerience has everything serial to a ridiculous price .... Keith, why do you say heating makes smells ..? my no, only a little at the beginning, but then nothing ... is it the type of diesel you use?

 

[GrannyJen]

I agree that it is only the UK that has seen a recent reduction in car sales, maybe for the reasons that I have stated. However, IF they start to see a reduction in Cali sales in the UK, VW will have three choices:
1. Sit on their hands and do nothing.
2. Reduce prices or offer incentives like they did after the emissions crisis hit.
3. Stop selling Calis in the UK.
IMO, of the three options number two is how most businesses would approach a similar situation at least initially. It's only the principles of supply and demand in operation.

However, my views on current Cali sales and prices might turn out to be wrong.

Given strong European sales why would VW offer incentives for UK models? Just produce less UK and more LHD.

The only competition, the Marco Polo is even worse. Limited 2017 production, very little negotiating room and an almost total disinterest from MBUK to dealer level at bothering to sell the thing. Clearly a take it or leave it market test my MB which we may in turn ultimately see from VW.

Incidentally, your gasp-shock-horror that we may be heading for the £70k+ cali is a little out of date ... I've just priced up Albert's replacement and it is £70k before the 3%.

 

[Keith Smith]

... Keith, why do you say heating makes smells ..? my no, only a little at the beginning, but then nothing ... is it the type of diesel you use?

Not sure you have different diesel, but with standard UK diesel my heater smells, always has and probably always will. I've taken it to an Eberspacher specialist who told me the smell was normal as well as letting Hereford VW have the van for a few days to check it, (they also told me there was nothing wrong and they had tried another Cali and it smelt just the same). I would be very happy if the smell disappeared once it warmed up but with mine it doesn't.

 

[Borris]

Given strong European sales why would VW offer incentives for UK models? Just produce less UK and more LHD.

The only competition, the Marco Polo is even worse. Limited 2017 production, very little negotiating room and an almost total disinterest from MBUK to dealer level at bothering to sell the thing. Clearly a take it or leave it market test my MB which we may in turn ultimately see from VW.

Incidentally, your gasp-shock-horror that we may be heading for the £70k+ cali is a little out of date ... I've just priced up Albert's replacement and it is £70k before the 3%.

Well you may have a point but like most other car manufacturers, VW have offered incentives many times in the past. I have taken advantage of several generous offers over the years to buy their products. As I mentioned, the last time was when they were worried about the effect on sales after their home grown emissions scandal broke. That was when I bought our Beach and I did very nicely out of that situation. So if they did it then, it follows that they just might consider doing it again if they see their sales figures dropping in the UK.

I recently saw someone had quoted £76k for a new Ocean on this forum. I don't know any more about that example but for me at least, that sort of price is starting to look ridiculous. I love the California but would question paying over that sort of cash for what is still basically a nicely modified builders van with a slightly dodgy roof. What have I just said!

Anyway, it's time to try and steer this thread back on topic. I would also like to see The following aditional changes on any future T7:

9. A much more secure method of stopping low life stealing the spare wheels, without having to resort to an after market fix.

10. Marked indent positions on the front swivel seat sliders that enable the user to locate the seat in the precise position to swivel it. The swivel mechanism on the UK passenger seat also needs an indent to enable the user to lock it in the oblique angle necessary to enable the occupant to position their legs away from the sink unit. Not a difficult or expensive ask and I am surprised VW haven't done this before now.

11. A more prominent hazard warning button. The one on our T6 Beach is small and almost invisible in poor light or in good light for that matter. If you need to find it in a hurry on a T6, you currently need to take your eyes off the road and fumble about on a dark coloured dash looking for a unobtrusive dark coloured button. It needs to be big, red and in a prominant position.

12. Some form of compact fold away means of providing access to the upper deck for those owners who aren't as nimble as they use to be. Also suitable storage for said device.

 

[briwy]

Well I sometimes wonder about us people who spend upwards of 50k on a campervan.
We have just spent the weekend with friends from our old Mazda Bongo days. Now I guess the average price of a converted Bongo is around £10k. For about £16k you can have a fresh import direct from Japan fully converted Bongo with pretty much everything a Cali has. This will be in absolutely excellent condition as the Japanese MOT equivalent is far stricter than here and the vehicles dont tend to get used much. Our last Bongo was like new underneath, no trace of rust anywhere and only let us down once over 30k miles when a hose burst, my fault anyway for not changing it.. Of course they are now getting on a bit and will probably need more TLC than a Cali, although not one of a similar age, but parts are cheap and servicing isn't a rip off like VW.
We changed to a Cali because of going abroad so much and the risk of breaking down. No way are you going to get a Bongo mended easily abroad whereas there is generally a VW dealer within reasonable distance although our experience of getting the Cali fixed in France when the auxiliary belt let go wasn't a happy one.
Personally I would rather see some things simplified on the Cali rather than more fancy complicated stuff like electric handbrakes. So what if takes a couple more minutes to turn the seats round. Separate controls for the roof, heater and fridge would mean that if one went down then the others are still usable rather than the apparently somewhat prone to breaking control panel.
We absolutely love the Cali and will likely get another in a few years time, but did we have a better time at the weekend than the fifty people in Bongos, no we didn't. Value for money, I really don't think so.

 

[hirsty]

I would like the T7 to have:

- water heater as an option
- viable standard headlights (the only real Achilles heel for me in the T6)
- solar trickle charge to leisure battery option
- electronic handbrake I've used on the Golf
- entry level / more basic build option with steelies & unpainted bumpers etc

I can't see the next one being sufficiently different to my T6 to want to swap, so shall likely be sitting that one out, but as a fan it'd be good to see a revolution rather than an(other) evolution. I'll upgrade when there's a factory Camper version of the latest Microbus electric concept.

 

[Floats]

Sliding door on the passenger side of the RHD vans

 

[Borris]

Actuallly, I would like the option of a Beach with a sliding door on both sides, like the Caravelle.

 

[Ocean Spirit]

Sliding door on the passenger side of the RHD vans

Oh No Floats..
That would mean the Kitchen is on the wrong side

 

[Velma's Dad]

A LWB version with a really neatly designed WC/shower in the back (switch the pop-top to rise from the rear to create the necessary headroom for the shower when it's in use). A bit like the Danbury Royale but more Californicated.

Removable single seats so you could just have the (swivelled) driver/passenger seats plus a single one aft. For us, travelling as a couple in a four seat vehicle means a lot of wasted space.

 

[flying banana]

vertical take off button.failing that option maybe vw have the technology to make the radio stay on longer than twenty minutes....or maybe have the ignition on with out daytime running lights draining my battery.

 

[Smiffy4bikes]

I’m with GJ, its perfect so why change it.

However, if I really had to think of something, it would be minor things:

For the gear indicator on the DSG to be on the right hand side, not the left (lazy VW using the LHD shifter on the RHD vehicles, very poor in my view)

My Cali is a 2016, so I don’t have the split worktop for the sink/burners. I know many love it, but for me, its too fussy, so I’d stick with the double as opposed to the triple split.

Front/rear dashcam, great idea.

LED’s as standard. In this day and age, charging the astronomical fee for LED’s on the T6 is daylight robbery in my view.

 

[andyinluton]

Removable single seats so you could just have the (swivelled) driver/passenger seats plus a single one aft. For us, travelling as a couple in a four seat vehicle means a lot of wasted space.

Theres nothing to stop you taking the bench out and putting a fifth seat back in.

 

[Floats]

Hi Boris,
Yes, I would also like double slides, but that wouldnt work in the Ocean. We dont have small children any more but it really irks me to have the sliding door in the traffic.
Regards
Chris
Cape Town

 

[flying banana]

Well I sometimes wonder about us people who spend upwards of 50k on a campervan.
We have just spent the weekend with friends from our old Mazda Bongo days. Now I guess the average price of a converted Bongo is around £10k. For about £16k you can have a fresh import direct from Japan fully converted Bongo with pretty much everything a Cali has. This will be in absolutely excellent condition as the Japanese MOT equivalent is far stricter than here and the vehicles dont tend to get used much. Our last Bongo was like new underneath, no trace of rust anywhere and only let us down once over 30k miles when a hose burst, my fault anyway for not changing it.. Of course they are now getting on a bit and will probably need more TLC than a Cali, although not one of a similar age, but parts are cheap and servicing isn't a rip off like VW.
We changed to a Cali because of going abroad so much and the risk of breaking down. No way are you going to get a Bongo mended easily abroad whereas there is generally a VW dealer within reasonable distance although our experience of getting the Cali fixed in France when the auxiliary belt let go wasn't a happy one.
Personally I would rather see some things simplified on the Cali rather than more fancy complicated stuff like electric handbrakes. So what if takes a couple more minutes to turn the seats round. Separate controls for the roof, heater and fridge would mean that if one went down then the others are still usable rather than the apparently somewhat prone to breaking control panel.
We absolutely love the Cali and will likely get another in a few years time, but did we have a better time at the weekend than the fifty people in Bongos, no we didn't. Value for money, I really don't think so.

the mazda bongo has the best camper name ever. I remember old beta max bongo films and mazdas. I imagine talking to friends saying ' oh I've been away in my cali'. I sound like a dick. but saying ' I did some banjoing in my bongo' sounds much cooler

 

[flying banana]

Hi Boris,
Yes, I would also like double slides, but that wouldnt work in the Ocean. We dont have small children any more but it really irks me to have the sliding door in the traffic.
Regards
Chris
Cape Town

just turn it round.or don't camp in traffic

 

[andyinluton]

I prefer the slider on the right, its easy for me as the driver to hop out to open & shut. if we park somewhere that its dangerous to get out that side we all get out the front passenger door.

 

[TwoDogs]

Make the roof about 2cm higher so we could leave bedding up there when the roof is down

 

[Velma's Dad]

Theres nothing to stop you taking the bench out and putting a fifth seat back in.

Well good point yes, and we have a fifth seat that we've never used, currently in the cellar at home.

We almost always sleep 'upstairs' so the lack of the bench-bed shouldn't be a problem (although sod's law I guess the first time we went without the bench there'd be a gale and we'd want to sleep downstairs).

Might try it out on a weekend and see how we get on.

Or there again maybe wait and get a Cali XXL

 

[Romke]

Integrated blind in the sliding door

 

[Borris]

Hi Boris,
Yes, I would also like double slides, but that wouldnt work in the Ocean. We dont have small children any more but it really irks me to have the sliding door in the traffic.
Regards
Chris
Cape Town

Hello Chris,
In my opening post on this thread I sugessed the following design improvement on any future T7:

6. Any future T7 design rather than a warmed over T6 mk2, could be based on a modular system so that you buy the base van with parking heater and swivel seats etc and then add the elements that you require to meet your personal needs. There are several companies that already offer removable pods etc. why can't the interior be designed by VW to be easily removable modular self contained units that aid greater versatility. You could still achieve the same layout but with the ability to remove or adapt it. Servicing and repairs to certain elements would also be easier.

With some thoughtful detailed design, VW could produce lhd and rhd base California vehicles with standard sliding doors on both sides a' la Carravelle. This would add to this vehicles versatility and have some very practical advantages over the T5/6 arrangement. The self contained removable sink, cooker and fridge modules etc, that I have suggested, could be reversible to enable them to be fitted into a universal fixing system, on either side of the vehicle. With this system you would buy a base T7 California vehicle with roof bed and twin sliding doors. This base vehicle could be ordered with the usual selection of power trains, gearbox, headlight etc options.
Having recently owned a T5 SE and a T6 Beach at the same time I can see that these two vehicles are individually superb at what they do but with a bit more imagination you could easily have both vehicles in one using a modular format. This wouldn't suit some people but for others it would prove very useful. Just imagine needing a people carrier or a load lugger for day to day use but you would like an Ocean for hoildays and trips away. You could either specify the various seats and modules when you buy the vehicle or VW could hire them to you as and when you need them. That is, if they can be bothered.

There would be numerous advantages to this system:
1. You could have a Beach with all the various seating configurations and load lugging versatilty for every day use. Your passengers would be able to alight on the curb and not into the traffic.
2. You could put in the minimum of modules for a weekend away e.g possibly fridge and/or cooker modules.
3. If you are going on a longer trip in the UK you could fit the modules you want to the off side, enabling the near side sliding door to be available on the curb side.
4. For visits to the continent fit them on the near side as per the current arrangement.
5. The redundant sliding door would provide access for servicing the modules from their rear e.g filling and emptying water containers and changing gas cylinders. There is no reason why these modules cannot be an excellent fit and trimmed neatly to the redundant sliding door.
6. VW could provide an extra table stored in the second sliding door. Very useful for picnics with more than two persons.
7. The second sliding door would do away with the need for the water filler on the side of the van and the possibility of someone filling your water tank with diesel.
8. You could hire or buy each module as and when you need/can afford it.
9. VW could supply the interiors in a range of colours and finishes to suit all tastes.
10. Faults and serving of items like the fridge, gas system or water tanks would be a much easier bench strip and fix of the individual module rather than the potentially expensive kichen strip out as at present. The current system is, IMO, unnecessarily complex.
11. The second sliding door would do away with the large panel on the near side. This is an expensive panel to replace if accident damage is incurred. At least the damage would possibly be confined to one of the near side panels and therefore cheaper to fix.

There are many other possibilities in such a system. Possibly modules adapted to enable the vehicle to be used as a mobile office, art studio etc etc.

The second sliding door would only enhance these many possibilities.

Best wishes
Paul

 

[Jay586]

There is a converter that offers a totally flexible modular system with service to utilities through the 2nd door. So it's totally possible.