Volkswagen’s refreshed and adventurer-appealing California camper van will only be offered in the European market and will feature a new hybrid powertrain and a larger design that offers more interior space.
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The redesigned camper van comes in five trims: Beach, Beach Tour, Beach Camper, Coast, and Ocean. Each model features a rooftop tent and dual sliding doors equipped with mosquito nets, which alludes to its bespoke purpose of adventuring and camping. Volkswagen has also introduced a new awning, which is standard in some markets and optional in others, offering shade and additional shelter on both sides of the vehicle.
The new California camper van comes with three powertrain options with the base derivative featuring a 112 kW four-cylinder turbodiesel and a 152 kW petrol engine, both driving the front wheels. Most importantly, Volkswagen is introducing a new plug-in hybrid variant that delivers 183 kW and includes the firm’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system, providing additional traction and a towing capacity of up to 2 tonnes.
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Inside, Volkswagen has replaced the traditional rear bench with two individual seats, which can still be converted into a bed. This design change allows more flexibility for loading bikes and other gear without sacrificing sleeping space. Each of the 24 kg rear seats are removable, and they come with integrated drawers for extra storage. Several 45-watt USB-C charging ports are scattered throughout the cabin, and a double tap on any light switch can simultaneously turn off all interior LED and background lights.
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The Coast and Ocean trims feature a full kitchenette, redesigned and positioned towards the rear to maintain easy access to both sides of the vehicle. It includes a sink, a single-burner gas stove, and cabinets. The Beach Camper trim offers a permanent rear slide-out mini kitchen with a gas stove, two drawers, and additional storage space.
Starting from the Beach Tour trim, the camper control unit is mounted on the passenger-side C-pillar, allowing for easy access to various functions. These functions can also be controlled via the infotainment system and a smartphone app. The top-tier Ocean trim offers the most luxurious features, including two camper batteries, two 230-volt outlets (one inside and one outside), heated front seats, supplemental air heating, a roof storage compartment, a folding table, and a 28-litre freshwater tank.
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