- The new VW California is 10.5-inches longer than the model it replaces, leaving enough room to offer two sliding doors, and a kitchenette.
- The model is offered with enough beds to sleep four, as well as awnings to create outdoors living spaces on either side of the vehicle.
- A PHEV powertrain provides all-electric driving during short trips.
The Volkswagen California is back, and it features more doors and batteries, making it a better camper van than ever before. Offered in five tent-topped variants with impressive tech and enough room to sleep four, it’s certain to be a mainstay of campgrounds across Europe.
Based on the VW Multivan, the new California will benefit from either a diesel four-cylinder engine that makes 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS), an inline-four that runs on gas delivering 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS), or, for the first time ever, a plug-in hybrid powertrain that kicks out 241 hp (180 kW / 245 PS), and can tow up to 4,409 lbs (2,000 kg). The all-electric range of the powertrain has not yet been revealed, but a concept version of the California offered 25 miles (40 km) of silent driving.
Read: Good Night Package Turns VW Multivan Into a Bedroom On Wheels
The new California is 203.6 inches (5,173 mm) long by 76.4 inches (1,941 mm) wide, making it 10.5 inches (269 mm) longer and 1.4 inches (37 mm) wider than its predecessor, for added comfort inside. With the tent folded down, it stands 78 inches (1,990 mm) tall, allowing it to fit into parking garages. However, with the tent raised, occupants enjoy up to 83 inches (2,108 mm) — nearly seven feet — of headroom.
The pop-up tent comes standard across the California range, offers sleeping for two with a large front door, and side windows (all of which feature mosquito netting), and its bellows can be finished in one of three colors: Toffee Brown, Glacier Blue, or Basalt Gray. In addition, optional awnings can be equipped at either side of the vehicle to create two outdoor living spaces, now that the California has sliding doors on both flanks.
That’s pretty much all you get in the base model California Beach trim, which is equipped with six seats. From the Beach Tour trim up, the camper van also comes with standard rotating front seats, to turn the cabin into a living room. It also comes with a touch screen on the C-pillar that controls the interior lights and other camping functions, which can also be controlled from a smartphone app.
The California Beach Tour also includes an additional camping battery (40 Ah LiFePo), and the seats can be converted into a platform for a fold-out mattress, providing sleeping space for two more people. Importantly, the aforementioned models are classified as passenger vehicles, which means they can be driven by anyone with a standard driver’s license.
On the other hand, the Beach Camper and higher trim models are licensed as camper vans. This classification means they include a compact mini kitchen with a single-burner gas cooker and a cutlery drawer that slide out of a compartment, which can be accessed and used from under the open tailgate.
Meanwhile, the California Coast model comes with a kitchenette with cabinets, a sink, and a 7.3-gallon (28-liter) water tank. The model also benefits from a second camper battery and a fridge, but it only comes with four seats. The California Ocean features the same camping equipment, but occupants benefit from additional luxuries like seat heaters, an auxiliary air conditioner, background lighting in the kitchenette, nicer upholstery, and more.
Prices for the new VW model have not been announced yet, but pre-sales for the new van are set to start in June 2024. First deliveries will take place in the second half of the year. The California Camper will be offered in 11 single-tone colors, and four two-tone options (top/bottom): Mono Silver/Energetic Orange metallic, Deep Black Pearl/Fontana Red metallic and Candy White solid/Starlight Blue metallic.
