Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle division had some exciting news for campervan enthusiasts at its annual press conference today as it confirmed the introduction of a new California model this year. The new camper will be based on the Multivan and will feature a wide variety of connected features.
Carsten Intra, the CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, explained that the automaker has big plans for the California range, starting with something called the “California Universe,” that could bring the latest automotive technology to the campsite.
“We want to expand the range around the business with our camping models—and thus offer our customers that special California feeling,” said Intra. “These include digital services for the Cali Community, completely new services to complement the purchase of a vehicle… but also the show car presentation of the new California based on the Multivan. We are planning these for later in the year.”
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The seventh-generation in VW’s long line of Transporter vans, the Multivan challenged the status quo by moving from a van-specific chassis to the MQB architecture. The platform was first designed for cars, like the Golf, but has been expanded for use in commercial vehicle.
No other specific details have been offered about the new Multivan California, but the MQB platform could provide it a major selling-point in the form of plug-in hybrid power since the standard Multivan is offered with gas, diesel, and PHEV drivetrains.
The Multivan eHybrid combines a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor. Together, they combine to make 215 hp (160 kW/218 PS), and can offer drivers 82 miles (132 km) of all-electric range.
The Multivan California is expected to be offered to the public in 2024, but Volkswagen’s camper van range won’t stop there. Plans have been announced to expand the lineup even further in 2025 with the introduction of the all-electric ID Buzz California, which is expected to be based on the long wheelbase variant of the van destined for the North American market.
