After 35 years of being the premier all-rounder, Volkswagen is back with a look at what it’s planning for its next camper van with the California Concept. Unveiled at the Caravan Salon trade fair in Düsseldorf, the model boasts a plug-in hybrid drivetrain and two sliding doors, which is cooler than it sounds!
Since this is a concept vehicle, VW isn’t providing a ton of details on the powertrain, but in the T7 Multivan, the eHybrid system combines a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total 215 hp (160 kW/218 PS).
That’s all well and good, but the real reason to be excited about the powertrain is that a plug-in hybrid system is kind of ideal for camping. Volkswagen claims that the on-board lithium-ion batteries provide the California Concept with “an almost completely autonomous 12V power supply” to help you camp longer. Meanwhile, the drivetrain offers loads of range to get you to your camp site.
Read: 2022 VW T7 Multivan: Forget Flower Power, It’s All About Hybrid Power
Higher up, like every California camper van since 1988, this concept features a pop-up tent on top. Made of aluminum, it can be lowered or lifted with the help of a tablet that controls all of the camping related electronics – and can be rotated to turn into a TV before bed. The pop top offers a panoramic view at the front and a high-quality roof tent it available.
The real novelty for the California Concept’s design is that it now has two sliding doors. That may not sound like a big deal, but historically, the model has only had one. That’s because of the kitchen, which is installed along the left side of the van.
The cooking equipment is still there, but by sliding it back a little (and with the benefit of the T7 Multivan’s larger footprint), VW has managed to create a gap big enough for people to get in and out of the concept. However, the kitchen isn’t all the way back, which means that campers can cook from the outside or the inside.
In addition, owners will be able to access the fridge from the outside, too. That’s handy on the campsite, as well as at the grocery store, because food that needs to stay cold can go straight from the shopping cart to the fridge.
Since the California Concept can open from both sides now, VW has decided to equip it with two shades. On the right side, it comes with a triangular sun shade. On the left side, it comes with a larger, square awning to shelter the food, as well as the chef, while they’re cooking.
The front seats rotate 180-degrees to create a sort of living/dining room within the van if the weather is less than ideal. Meanwhile, the rear bench seat folds down to become a bed. Since there are two doors, left-side sleepers don’t need to crawl over their bed fellows to get out, either.
In addition to all of that, the twin-sliding doors will also make it easier for VW to localize the next-generation California for right-hand drive markets. It will also have benefits off the campsite, by offering occupants more ways to enter and exit the van.
Volkswagen says that the California Concept previews the next-generation of production California camper van, which it expects to launch in 2024. In addition to being available with the eHybrid PHEV system, it will also be available with the T7’s gas and diesel engines.
