Vehicle. T6 Ocean 150. Jun 7, 2017. #3. cdjpb said: Hi all, I'm trying to decide between the Beach and the Ocean. We are a family of 3 (with an 18 month old) with Baby #2 on the way (eeek)! I'm not convinced by the narrow width bed in the Ocean (if used by adults) or by cooking inside the van with toddlers around so I'm leaning towards the Beach. Volkswagen California nuevos. 15 Ofertas para el Volkswagen California. Encuentra los mejores precios sólo de concesionarios oficiales. Compartir coche. 1/60. El modelo visualizado puede no corresponder al ofertado. DESDE. 58.986 €. La Volkswagen California que comenzó a venderse en 2020 es la variante de la Volkswagen Transporter 6.1 In this video, I show you the best practices for using your auxiliary heater in the California Ocean and California Coast. This isn't as simple as it first s Road tax for the VW California varies based on its emissions and the country or region's specific tax regulations. It's advisable to check local tax rates for the most accurate information. Currently (August 2023), the annual road tax price is £570 with the six-monthly road tax price costing £313.50. 182. Location. Hereford. Vehicle. T6.1 Coast 150. Jun 28, 2020. #2. Just run a tape measure over our 6.1 Coast, with the mirrors folded - 2150mm (I’m not guaranteeing that measurement!). There are three engine options for the Volkswagen Caddy California: a 1.5-litre TSI turbocharged petrol with 112bhp, and a 2.0-litre TDI turbocharged diesel with a choice of two outputs, 101bhp VW T6.1 California Ocean. As a Coast plus: Air Auxiliary heater. Climate Control. Double glazed windows. Electric hydraulic pop up roof. LED lights pop up roof. LED headlights / taillights. Seat heating front seats. In Beach trim, prices start at just over £47,000 and you get five-seats and two double beds – one of which is in the California’s pop-up roof structure. There are no cooking or washing T6 Ocean 150 Aug 3, 2014 T6 Coast 150 4Motion Aug 4, 2014 The VW California Club is the worlds largest resource for all owners and enthusiasts of VW Volkswagen California Ocean 2.0 TDI 150. List price £66,419. Target Price £66,419. No camper test would be complete without a Volkswagen. The Ocean is the plushest version of the regular-length 7uOw. Grenzeloze vrijheid op vier wielenInslapen onder de sterren. ‘s Ochtends gewekt worden door het ruisen van de zee. Andere landen verkennen en u toch overal thuis voelen: de Volkswagen California biedt pure vrijheid. Met zijn comfortabele binnenuitrusting en doordachte details maakt hij van iedere trip een onvergetelijk avontuur. Geniet van uw onafhankelijkheid en reis naar waar u maar heen wilt. Met alles wat u nodig hebt binnen indrukwekkendMeer vrijheid – ook in het interieurIedere dag nieuwe landen, culturen en plaatsen ontdekken. En u toch overal thuis voelen. De Volkswagen California is uw woonkamer voor onderweg. Het ruime interieur biedt plaats genoeg voor iedereen. En ook alle lievelingsknuffels en vakantielectuur kunnen probleemloos mee. Koken, slapen, relaxen – precies zoals thuis. Alleen staat de wereld voor de uw CaliforniaSelecteer het uitrustingsniveau en klik op 'Configureren' om van start te op maatOfferte op maatOntvang een vrijblijvende offerte op California Center is er voor uVoor alle vragen over de Volkswagen California, zijn uitrusting, zijn onderhoud… staan onze experten voor u klaar. Aarzel niet om hen te avonturen van onze Volkswagen California delen we graag op uw dienstNewsletterBlijf op de hoogte van het laatste nieuws van Volkswagen. Even those not previously taken with the idea of camping have loved spending time in the clever Volkswagen California. We’ll miss its versatility; so long, old friend!Mileage: 10,041Economy: the keys landed on my desk back in April, I never dreamt that our Volkswagen California – which is now a pre-facelift model, since an updated version launched recently – would prove so popular with my colleagues. Here, we’ve pulled together some of the experiences that the Auto Express team (and their families, of course) have had during the past six months and 10,000 Cali has been everywhere, from the south coast to Norfolk, Wales and France. It’s also doubled as my daily driver, ferrying me to work in central London, as well as to the airport and my parents’ home in Devon. It’s carried lots of rubbish to the tip during our house renovation, and even doubled as a mobile office on road test shoots.• New Volkswagen Grand California reviewThe response from my workmates has been overwhelmingly positive. Whether it was being used as a place of solace on a damp Devon campsite, or somewhere to cook up some eggs on a sunny Saturday, the versatile van proved perfect for any occasion. More reviews It was especially good at swaying those not previously taken by the idea of camping. A couple of my colleagues actively disliked the idea of pitching up in a flooded field only to be battered by the best our wet and windy weather could throw at them. And who could blame them? Yet all who tried the Cali returned (at least partially) converted. It was interesting how many people commented on the Cali’s countless clever features; everyone loved the chairs hidden in the bootlid, the fold-out table in the sliding door and the hanging rail in the cupboard. The bulky bike rack was used a handful of times – although I’d think twice before speccing it, as it severely restricts rearward visibility and makes the tailgate very Cali’s compact footprint makes it easy to drive on UK roads, although the jerky gearbox raised a few eyebrows. It was investigated, but after an extensive road test, VW insisted there was nothing my biggest complaint lay with the light-coloured seats. A car (or van) in which you’re able to eat and sleep should offer a more durable fabric; the slightest spillage left marks on the rear seats. Thankfully, a bottle of Autoglym’s interior shampoo quickly had the chairs looking good as for all its quirks, the Cali will leave a gaping hole in the Auto Express car park. The most popular test car on our fleet in recent times will be sorely MilneVisited: Southwold, SuffolkThis was the second time I’d used a California. The best part of 10 years separates the two, but little has changed. The layout felt familiar, and we came away as impressed by the Cali’s ingenuity this summer as we did all those years ago: aplace for everything, and everything in its place. It sparks conversations like few other cars, too; ‘Veedubbers’ are a very friendly things resonated with us, though. As obvious as it sounds, turning up to a campsite then setting off on adventures each day doesn’t play to a camper van’s strengths. Our family break to Suffolk required too much stowing, unloading and setting up; a few days of touring would have been better. Plus, there’s nowhere to store child seats and associated kit when you’re WalkerVisited: Paddock Wood, KentFor me, the appeal of the California rested in the promise of hassle-free camping without the need to go 10 rounds with a heavyweight tent. There’s nothing like rolling up to a campsite to seamlessly assemble your accommodation in seconds, without puncturing your air bed with a tent pole, or smacking yourself in the toe with a mallet. And the reality proved to be pretty close. We visited a campsite in Kent; two adults with two kids in tow. If you’re only staying for one or two nights, or are comically inept at erecting tents, the plug-and-play nature of a camper van is a godsend. I had some trouble getting the awning poles to lock, which at least allowed the neighbours a smirk – but otherwise it was plain sailing. The kids (six and three) found the pop-up roof irresistible, while us adults loved the high-quality fixtures and fittings. There’s a predictable question mark over the Cali’s body control in corners, but no sane camper is going to drive it with much vigour and risk their baked bean tins crushing their BaidenVisited: Hastings, East SussexI’ll admit that, like Ben (left), I don’t much like camping. I hate the thought of pitching a tent and the prospect of going without the creature comforts of a hotel when I go away. So, when our friends Greg and Magda tried to tempt us into a camping trip near Hastings, I was hesitant – until I realised I could take the VW of the biggest reservations I had about camping involved my young son; the thought of having him in a tent with us, wriggling around and making a racket wasn’t exactly appealing. But in the Cali there was enough space to put his travel cot downstairs while we slept up top. It worked perfectly, and we woke up feeling refreshed the next California also proved extremely popular with Greg and Magda’s kids. They seemed to spend more time inside it than outside in the sunshine, fiddling with all the clever and crafty features, many of which we hadn’t discovered ourselves. That’s the beauty of the California – most of the best bits are hidden away out of sight, and only come to the fore when you really need not about to go and buy a tent, yet just like Ben, the California has definitely improved my perception of camping. But at more than £60,000, I’m not BatchelorVisited: Croyde Bay, DevonNothing can prepare you for the contempt dished out by other campers as you rock up in a £60k red and white VW van. We chose Croyde Bay in North Devon for our holiday, and as we crept into the campsite on a gorgeous sunny evening, we felt a little uncomfortable as others rolled up their sleeves and constructed their fabric homes. The contempt turned into ridicule as we wound out the awning and lounged in the Cali’s chairs, sipping Riesling and watching the sun set. The next four days, however, were a washout. One morning we woke to the sound of ‘Oh god, no!’ as our neighbours chased their tent in gale force winds. By the end of the week we were glad to not be wet, cold – the auxiliary heater is fabulous – and hated by our fellow campers. One night we even invited a sopping wet woman round for a drink!Ben HodgesVisited: Isle of Sheppey, KentTaking the California to the Isle of Sheppey for the weekend was possibly more exciting for my family than for me, with my two boys bouncing with excitement at the being far from seasoned campers, we found the Cali easy to set up, with the helpful reversing camera making it simple to pitch. From here on, the boys took up residence in the pop-up roof, only being bribed out with the offer of food and drink. When it came to making dinner, though, interior space became tight, with the very noticeable slope I’d parked on making cooking a bit difficult. Being a typical English summer, we were forced to eat inside – although the excellent on-board heater kept us nice and used the campsite as our home for the weekend, and while we did venture out to the beach in the afternoon, heading back to the van was never a chore. After a long day walking on the beach and exploring in the great outdoors, returning to the Cali as the weather closed in confirmed its greatest strengths. It’s infinitely better than a tent at night – with two comfortable beds, and blinds on every window to block out the early-morning sun. Did it convert me to camping? Not quite, but now I dislike it a tiny bit McIlroyVisited: Hampshire/Wales Rally GBMy family enjoyed a couple of trips in the Auto Express California. The first was an extended stay at Wellington Country Park, Hampshire, which allowed my six-year-old to show off glamping to his school mates as they enjoyed sleepovers on a rota basis, while the second included a run to the depths of Wales (in early October) to watch the world’s top rally drivers on Rally Cali is a cracking day base. As we sat in a sodden Welsh forest, eating lunch and drying out ahead of the afternoon’s action, I heard more than one rally fan comment, “That’s what you need for a day like this.”General cleverness aside, I noticed that the upstairs bed is more comfortable than the slightly lumpy downstairs mattress, and the gearbox seems to like building up a lot of revs before pulling away from rest. The light-grey seat fabric marks a bit too easily for a vehicle that has a kitchen and a washable floor, too. All-in-all, though, I’m going to miss having it Wilson Visited: Suffolk & Norfolk coastal road tripI was instantly won over by the space-saving ingenuity of our VW California. I spent over an hour playing with all the switches, levers and on-board tech before even heading off on holiday. Only once I’d finished fiddling were we able to start along the Suffolk and Norfolk coastline, stopping at various pre-booked sites and beaches en route. Personal highlights included the super-quick pop-up roof, making arrival and departure simple. We also loved the built-in fridge, which we packed with cider for the evenings, and bacon and eggs for breakfast. Every bit of internal space was used, from pull-out blinds in the A-pillars to a mini dustbin in the driver’s door. I was converted. My wife sensibly reminded me that we could afford a fair few Airbnb weekends for the £62k price tag, GriffithsVisited: Hastings, East SussexI took my family to Hastings, East Sussex, in the heat of June, and my two sons couldn’t have been more excited by the prospect. The California had no difficulty in swallowing child seats, duvets, and the associated kit required for a night’s camping (or glamping, let’s be honest), while all occupants were impressed with its hushed refinement on the positive impressions continued upon pitching up at our campsite. The motor-driven pop-up-roof proved a popular hangout for my boys, and the table and chairs hidden in the sliding doors were the perfect accessories for mum and dad to relax with a glass of wine and some nibbles. We did come across a couple of issues, however; turning the driver’s seat around 180 degrees to face the rear bench was tricky due to it catching on the handbrake and steering wheel, while the light-coloured seats were prone to staining, with the slightest spillage leaving water marks. Joe HoldingVisited: WalesMy then-fiancée-now-wife and I enjoyed a week exploring Wales in the Cali. Living out of the camper made the trip feel like an adventure, and we’ll be buying one the moment we win the lottery. Perhaps a dealer would take our tent as a part-ex?My colleagues had raved about the Cali’s versatility, but we were grateful for something more fundamental: the brakes. They brought the three-tonne camper to a sharp stop on the Great Orme, helping to avoid a head-on collision with a motorcyclist who’d overcooked a blind bend. Both van and biker were California: Fourth reportTwo-thousand-mile road trip gives VW California camper van a chance to shine over a fortnight in FranceMileage: 8,717Economy: I heard I’d be running a Volkswagen California as my next Auto Express test car, my wife, Anna, and I immediately began exploring where we might take it for a two-week started as a few days in Scotland quickly morphed into a mega European trip – extending as far as northern Italy, Slovenia and the stunning Lake Bled. Yet we soon realised that a route like this wouldn’t leave a lot of time for rest or relaxation, and as much as I love a good road trip, we didn’t want to spend the whole time we slimmed things down and chose to focus on France. However, it still covers an area of just over 547,000 sq km and has almost one million kilometres of paved roads, so we weren’t likely to run out of things to Caravan and Motorhome Club helped us organise our ferry crossings and offered advice on camping in France. We decided to avoid booking too much in advance, because we wanted our itinerary to remain flexible. Camping is big business in France, so we assumed this wouldn’t be penned a rough route, from Calais through Giverny, Chablis, Avignon and Annecy, covering around 2,900km (1,800 miles). There were plenty of other things we wanted to do en route – such as wine tasting in Champagne and hiking in Fontainebleau – but we’d leave most of it to chance. Packing for our excursion was easy. It was just the two of us, so we had no trouble fitting everything we needed in the VW’s various cupboards and cubbyholes. As sometime campers, we had most of the kit already, including cups, cutlery and crockery, plus a set of ping-pong bats and three bottles of mosquito repellent. We cooked up some veggie meals to see us through the first few nights, and stocked the cupboards with we arrived at Dover, throngs of holiday goers flooded into the terminal café to buy their expensive Costa coffee and soggy croissants. But because we had the van, we simply hopped in the back, boiled the kettle for a cuppa and ate bowls of cereal while we were waiting to real beauty of the California is that it’s no larger than the VW Transporter on which it is based, and only a few millimetres longer than a BMW X5. That makes it easy to manoeuvre and simple to park, and its size prevented us from being forced in alongside the bigger vans and trucks for the 90-minute trip across the Channel. We made it to France without any issues, and arrived at our first stop feeling as fresh as when we left; the VW’s two armchair-like front seats proving comfortable even on journeys of 250 miles or the trip progressed we learned ever more about VW’s top-spec California Ocean, not least the fact that you can rely on the built-in fridge. It’s powered by a battery that tops itself up on the move, and meant we were often able to avoid paying extra for a powered campsite pitch – giving us more freedom as to the sites we chose. A secluded pitch by the river in the Gorges du Tarn was a particularly sweet spot and somewhere we ended up staying for a couple of after day (and night after night) the California continued to impress. We tended to sleep in the roof, so as not to disturb the cabin too much. It worked well, and despite consisting of little more than a small covering of foam, the mattress was comfortable. We struggled with cold temperatures at times; the auxiliary heater unfortunately doesn’t double as an air-conditioning unit. • Best family cars to buy 2019While we spent a lot of time driving, we ticked off a few must-see places, including the incredible Millau Viaduct, which spans a valley almost wide and 270m deep. Being something of an engineering geek, it’s somewhere I’d wanted to visit for years, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. We eventually had to begin the trek home, albeit via Strasbourg and Champagne; and we stocked up on wine in Calais, before boarding the boat for the return crossing. The total distance at the end of the trip stood at 2,043 miles, but at almost 32mpg the Cali had proved remarkably efficient – even when fully laden with people and California: updateHow does our Volkswagen California compare to a similarly priced Mercedes GLE? Mileage: 5,755Economy: more than £68,000 (as tested), our Volkswagen California is an expensive bit of kit. You get loads of space and a long list of equipment, but that kind of cash gives you access to a wide range of high-end if you have nearly £70k to spend, where should your money go? We had a Mercedes GLE 400 d in the Auto Express car park recently, which isn’t far off our VW’s price, so I thought I’d compare and contrast initial glance at the kit lists may push you towards the Mercedes. It comes with LED lights, Nappa leather, keyless go and a high-resolution infotainment display. These features are either optional on the VW, or not available at all. Look at the extras fitted to this GLE, and the gulf grows: 22-inch wheels (five inches larger than the Cali’s), a 360-degree camera, wireless phone charging and Burmester our California comes with plenty of kit that cannot be found on the GLE – not least the kitchen cupboards and two-ring gas hob. Then there’s the sink, fridge, wardrobe, detachable shower and two double beds. As if that’s not enough reason to trade your off-roader for a four-berth camper, then just take a look at the costs. Far stronger residual values mean that, on identical terms (three-year PCP, 10,000 miles per year and a £6,200 deposit), the California costs considerably less than a top-spec GLE. VW asks a sizeable £793 per month, yet that pales in comparison to the £960 you’ll need for the Mercedes. Granted, the Cali doesn’t have the same level of interior quality, but it doesn’t feel cheap. Our camper is designed to withstand family life, and after nearly 6,000 miles it feels as solid as ever. The light-coloured fabric seats aren’t the most practical option, but the grey carpets are proving California: second reportOur Volkswagen California Ocean proves to be a big hit on last minute break to DevonMileage: 2,795Economy: Volkswagen California is in high demand as summer sets in, with every weekend until late August already allocated to various members of the Auto Express before the rush began, my wife, Anna, and I packed our bags and filled the van for an impulsive weekend away in Devon. The great thing about the California (as opposed to travelling by plane or train) is that you can just throw anything and everything in the with our wellies washed and the fridge full, we set off for the south coast. The scenic route took us down the A303 right past Stonehenge, and beyond. We spent two nights camping near Dartmoor, and due to the hot weather, we barely touched the two-ring gas hob inside the van. While it proved useful for our morning tea and coffee, most of our cooking was done over was just the two of us, so we raised the roof and slept on the double bed up top. This allowed us to use the lower area as intended; by swivelling the two front seats we could both eat and play card games around the table, without having to tidy it all away before going to thing we noticed was that while the longer evenings meant we could spend more time outside, leaving the VW’s interior lights on and the doors open meant we returned to find a few unwelcome insect ability to simply throw everything in the back and not worry about what you might or might not need made this a holiday like few others. Just before returning home we picked up a gigantic six-foot wooden pigeonhole that we’d spotted online earlier in the week. It slid neatly in the back of the van with the seats folded flat, and will fit perfectly in our new kitchen. We’ll have more on that – and the benefits of driving a California while undergoing extensive house renovations – in a future California Ocean: first reportReviews and features editor Rich fulfils a childhood dream with his very own Hotel CaliforniaMileage: 1,889Economy: always been a bit of a fair-weather camper. The prospect of setting up a tent in the pouring rain, or traipsing up a mountain in the biting wind, isn’t my idea of fun. Having somewhere warm and dry to retreat to is a top priority, so visiting pubs is a particularly pleasing pastime of concept of a camper van had always seemed like an ideal solution. While I’d never been able to explore the idea of owning one, you can trace back the obsession to my childhood bedroom, where a sixties VW Type 2 money box nestled itself among a vast array of 1:18-scale diecast still got the model, and while it isn’t as full of cold, hard cash as you’d hope after 20 years of saving, I can finally claim the dream has become reality – albeit with a little help from right, I’ve just picked up the keys to my very own VW California. I’ll be running it for the next six months or so, to see if that boyhood fantasy is as rosy in real life, or whether I should stick to surfing the south coast with my sopping wet are currently two models to choose from: the California Beach or the California Ocean. We’re testing the latter, which is the more expensive of the two, thanks to the addition of a sink, fridge and two-ring gas hob. It’s beautifully laid out, with cupboards and drawers running the length of the after a few weeks and a long weekend away in Wales, my wife Anna and I are still discovering hidden treasures, such as the picnic seats in the tailgate, or the small mirror in the wardrobe. Every window has a built-in blind, and the front chairs swivel 180 degrees to accommodate four people around the only will it seat two couples, the California Ocean will also sleep four people. The roof raises electronically in around 30 seconds to reveal a raised bed up top; the rear seats then fold flat to provide space for your friends. We’ve yet to discover quite how tight it is with four on board; Anna and I shamelessly forced my brother-in-law and his pregnant wife into an adjoining tent during our Bank Holiday trip to van isn’t cheap, but for a smidge over £60k you get an equipment list to rival the latest luxury SUVs. Fit and finish isn’t quite on par, but this is a functional vehicle designed to withstand years of abuse from impatient children and mucky dogs. We’ve got a set of waterproof seat covers in the drawer under the back seats, but luckily we’ve not had to use them California Ocean gets 17-inch alloys, automatic lights, three-zone climate control, heated seats, Bluetooth and USB connectivity and a five-inch touchscreen. The kitchen and associated gubbins are included, of added a few options to our van, the most expensive of which is the eye-catching two-tone paint. We couldn’t resist speccing our camper in Auto Express red and white, despite the hefty £2,604 bill. Elsewhere, we went for the more accomplished Discover Media Nav system (£1,602), Adaptive Cruise Control (£414) and front and rear parking sensors with a camera (£714).Our van has the VW Group’s TDI diesel which, due to WLTP constraints, now produces 196bhp. It’s linked to the tried-and-tested seven-speed DSG gearbox, which works wonders on fuel economy, thanks to a clever coasting function. Given the van’s bluff shape and the power on offer, I’m not too disappointed by a average over the first 1,900 miles. As the engine loosens, there’s a very real possibility that figure will improve.*Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points. On prête beaucoup de qualités au VW California ? Trop, sans doute. Aussi séduisant soit-il, le petit van aménagé de Volkswagen n’est pas exempt de toutes critiques. A piori, il est difficile de résister au VW California, considéré comme la référence absolue des vans et des monospaces de loisirs, malgré une facture pour le moins dissuasive : à partir de pour la finition Coast, qui représente l’essentiel des ventes en France. Et la note va encore grimper de 1,5% au 1er janvier 2018. La valeur de revente élevée du California sert souvent d’adjuvant pour faire passer la pilule du prix d’achat… Pour autant, l’investissement n’est-il pas trop élevé, à l’heure où la concurrence fourbit ses armes ? En bref, la réputation du California n’est-elle pas trop exagérée ? Quelles sont ses marges de progression et quelles sont sont aujourd’hui les véritables alternatives au VW California ? Radiographie du phénomène California. VW California : le toit est électrique sur trois des quatre versions. Aujourd’hui, le California se conjugue au pluriel, tant les déclinaisons sont nombreuses. Au-delà des quatre principales variantes (Beach, Edition30, Coast, Ocean), presque exclusivement en 4 places CG de série, il faudrait ajouter les multiples configurations liées au choix de la motorisation essence ou diesel et de la transmission (4 Motion). Au total, à la seule lecture du tarif VW, c’est-à-dire sans les options et les finitions, on compte déjà quarante versions… Bref, la famille du California est très étendue et toutes les ramifications partent d’un tronc commun, le VW T6 disponible, pour l’instant, dans une seule et unique longueur (5,06m) et un empattement de 3 m. La hauteur de 1,99 m à vide ne change pas quelles que soient les versions et la dimension des jantes : 18” sur la série Edition 30, contre 16” sur le Beach TDI 150 et TSI 150. La compensation se fait par la hauteur du flanc du pneu (taille basse de 45 sur l’Edition 30 et 65 sur le Beach). Modeles / Equipement VW California Beach VW California CoastVW California Edition 30VW California Ocean Prix 2017, (à partir de) 47 420 € 2,0 l TDI 15056 820 € 2,0 l TDI 15064 070 € 2,0 l TDI 15063 520 € 2,0 l TDI 150 Boite de vitesses DSG 7Option Option De série Option Commande du toit levable Manuelle ElectriqueElectriqueElectrique Meuble cuisine Non OuiOuiOui Banquette coulissante 2 places (3 en option gratuite)2 places 2 places 2 places Prises 230 V Option De série De série De série Systeme de navigation Option Option Option De série Quel est le concept ? Héritier direct du légendaire Westfalia Joker, le California apparaît en 1988, sur T3, c’est-à-dire la troisième génération du VW Transporter (T3), sur lequel le moteur refroidi par air se situe à l’arrière. La transformation intérieure, simple et fonctionnelle sur les premières versions, est confiée à Westfalia, l’aménageur historique et partenaire privilégié de VW jusqu’en 2004, date à laquelle le constructeur auto reprend totalement la main sur le California. Aujourd’hui, le célèbre van est d’abord produit à l’usine de Hanovre-Stöcken, comme l’ensemble des Transporter, puis terminé dans l’unité spécialisée de Limmer, où il reçoit la structure de toit, les placards, la kitchenette, la banquette et l’ensemble des autres équipements de loisirs. Il se vend aujourd’hui 16 000 California en Europe, dont 600 en France. Ces chiffres en font le leader des fourgons à toit relevable. VW California : une longueur, quatre finitions et cinq motorisations diesel ou essence. Sujet de discussion et point d’attaque de la concurrence, les délais de livraison du VW California s’échelonnent généralement entre six et douze mois… C’est assez surprenant, mais la configuration du California n’a pas beaucoup évolué au fil du temps et s’appuie toujours sur un mobilier fixe disposé dans la longueur du véhicule, le long de la paroi gauche. Cet ensemble comprend des rangements, penderie et placards, et une petite cuisine tout équipée avec réfrigérateur, évier et un réchaud deux feux raccordés à une bouteille de gaz de 2,8 kg. Une table intérieure sur glissière et une banquette 2 places convertible et coulissante complètent le tableau. Le toit aluminium se soulève, manuellement sur le Beach, électriquement sur les autres versions, et abrite une chambre haute munie d’un classique sommier à lattes en bois de 200 x 120 cm et d’une mousse de faible épaisseur. Sur le couchage bas, obtenu après transformation de la banquette, on ajoutera en option un sur-matelas confort, fortement recommandé. L’optimisation des espaces passe par le choix d’un mobilier fin, léger et rigide, réalisé en sandwich d’aluminium avec un noyau minéral, de type Alucobond. L’absence d’isolation, pleinement assumée par VW, permet aussi de gagner du volume intérieur, selon le constructeur… Loin d’être totalement irréprochable, le VW California soulève encore des remarques, sinon des critiques. → Manipulation du hayon, très encombrant et lourd. La difficile compression des vérins étant justifiée par l’installation possible en post équipement d’un porte-vélos sur le hayon. En revanche, pas de fermeture électrique en option, à l’inverse du Multivan et de la Caravelle. → Aucune isolation de la carrosserie. La puissance du chauffage stationnaire, de série sur toutes les versions, à l’exception du Beach, compense très largement cette lacune. Sur le Beach, l’option chauffage est fortement conseillée. En plus d’être un avantage à l’usage, c’est un atout très fort à la revente. → Banquette arrière plane sans maintien lombaire ni accoudoir central. Pour les passagers, ça balance un peu dans les virages. → 4 places CG de série sur les versions loisirs et 5 pour le Beach en option gratuite avec banquette AR 3 places. Avec le Beach, on peut même pousser jusqu’à sept places, avec deux fauteuils passagers supplémentaires. Les versions 4 Motion restent en 4 places CG, y compris sur le Beach. → Volume d’eau propre de 30 L (pas forcément une contrainte le temps d’un week-end, mais plus gênant au-delà.) Et n’espérez pas trouver de l’eau chaude au robinet de la cuisine ou de la douchette extérieure. Ce n’est pas forcément une priorité par les clients qui font chauffer de l’eau sur le réchaud en cas de besoin. → Aucune personnalisation de l’ambiance intérieure. La couleur du mobilier varie selon les niveaux de finitions (et donc le prix) : imitation bois blanc pour la finition Coast et Edition, bois sombre pour l’Océan. En revanche, très large palette de couleurs de carrosseries, parmi des peintures métallisées, nacrées ou bicolores. → Fragilité. Le VW California n’est pas exempt de reproches. Ce qui est le plus souvent mis en avant, c’est la fragilité de la petite quincaillerie, à l’image des stores, des charnières, la faiblesse de la coupelle de remplissage de l’eau propre ou l’évacuation inefficace de l’évier… Les évolutions successives corrigent le tir, notamment sur le système de verrouillage du volet de pare-brise (des clapets remplacent les aimants) ou l’ouverture des abattants réchaud / évier, ou du couvercle du réfrigérateur. → Toit électrique. Généralisation du toit électrique relevable sur les versions Coast, Ocean et Edition 30. Certains le regrettent et n’accordent qu’une confiance mesurée au mécanisme de motopompe hydraulique électrique sur le long terme. Dans la mesure où le toit peut supporter 50 kg de charge (coffre ou porte-vélos sur barre de toit), VW justifie son choix du tout électrique. → VP/VASP. Dans sa version première, le Beach est redevable du bonus écologique, dans la mesure où il est homologué en VP et non en VASP. Le surcout n’est pas neutre. California, une famille à succès depuis 30 ans CONCLUSION C’est vrai, au regard du prix du California, on peut raisonnablement se poser la question : n’est-ce pas trop cher payé tout de même ? Le prix ne nous met pas forcément à l’abri des petits tracas et soucis techniques que connait le California, considéré comme un véhicule assez fragile. Les loueurs ne s’en cachent pas. Il faut en prendre soin. Avec ses quatre places carte grise, il se montre pour le moins décalé par rapport aux besoins des familles qui veulent transporter toute la tribu ou accessoirement les copains des enfants lors des sorties sportives. La cinquième place CG, en option à la commande, prend la forme d’un siège complémentaire et démontable en 2ième rang, derrière la cabine. Dans ce cas, Il faut repousser d’autant la banquette et retirer la plateforme arrière du lit si l’on veut profiter d’un maximum d’espace pour les jambes. Notez encore que ce siège additionnel, peu commode à manipuler, car assez lourd, interdit aussi la transformation du couchage bas… Il faut le démonter au préalable. On le voit, ce n’est pas la panacée. La seule solution acceptable, c’est de passer sur le California Beach, de conception plus simple (pas de cuisine et toit pop- up manuel), disponible en 5 places CG sur demande et sans supplément de prix. Attention, tout de même, c’est un VP ! Quoi qu’il en soit, le VW California reste tout de même une très belle référence, même si tout n’est pas parfait. On ne saurait lui opposer uniquement des arguments rationnels, tant la dimension affective compte beaucoup dans la décision d’achat de ce véhicule, chic, malin, porteur d’images et de sens. Le prix de vente lui donne un caractère très exclusif qui renforce sa valeur de revente… Le cercle vertueux. Rien ne semble pouvoir entamer le capital sympathie qui l’entoure. QUI SONT LES CONCURRENTS DU VW CALIFORNIA ? Les concurrents, ils sont très nombreux. Nous en avons retenu trois en raison de leur conception sur VW et leur banquette coulissante. Westfalia KEPLER ONE Commercialisé à partir de 2016, le Westfalia Kepler One fait légèrement mieux que le VW California, dans un format de fourgon, il est vrai, supérieur : 5,30 m, contre 4,89 m. Le flanc gauche étant libéré de la cuisine, contrairement au plan classique du California, le Kepler One dégage un espace de vie pour le moins inhabituel et plutôt sympathique. Pas de banquette coulissante sur le Kepler One, mais un espace propreté composé d’un WC fixe à cassette et d’un bac à douche dans le plancher. Là encore, c’est une disposition rare sur un aménagement VW T6. Le volume d’eau (50 L) et la capacité du réfrigérateur à compression (51 L) sont aussi plus favorables sur le Kepler One. Comptez près de pour une version tout équipée en TDI 150. >> VOIR L’ESSAI COMPLET (+) Grand salon pour 5 personnes (+) WC fixe (-) 4 places CG (-) Pas de véritable coffre REIMO Triostyle Disponible en version courte (4,89m) ou longue (5,29m), en cinq ou six places CG, ce modèle Reimo Triostyle pourrait faire douter n’importe quel partisan acharné du VW California ! Son argument central, il le tient de sa banquette coulissante 3 places, à laquelle est bridé le support pivotant d’une table multipostions très pratique. En somme, elle suit le mouvement de la banquette ! Notez encore les très belles finitions intérieures, des détails inédits (réservoirs d’eau amovibles qui facilitent le remplissage) et le toit relevable manuel. La configuration du modèle se fait par l’intermédiaire du site internet : Prévoyez un budget de 57 000 € sur une base de VW TDI 150. >> VOIR L’ESSAI COMPLET (+) De 5 à 6 places CG (+) Espace modulable avec la banquette coulissante (+) Pas de réservoir d’eau sous plancher (-) Position basse du réfrigérateur LANDO Adelaïde L’aménageur narbonnais oppose au célèbre fourgon venu d’outre-Rhin son modèle Adelaïde, décliné aussi bien sur Renault Trafic, dans une version économique, que sur VW T6. Lando pousse la comparaison jusqu’à développer un mobilier réalisé dans un matériau comparable à celui du California en sandwich d’aluminium de 6 mm d’épaisseur. Léger et résistant, il permet des cintrages et des formes très pures impossibles à réaliser avec le bois. Avec la banquette coulissante 3 places, le Lando Adelaïde surclasse même le California. Et côté prix, il n’y a pas photo ! L’Adelaïde se commercialise à partir de 48 900 € en VW 150 ch. >> VOIR L’ESSAI COMPLET (+) Mobilier aluminium aux finitions impeccables (+) Banquette coulissante (+) 5 places CG (+) Prix compétitif (moins de 50 000 €) (-) Abattant unique pour le combiné réchaud/évier (-) Table intérieure encombrante Particulièrement confortable et jouissant de finitions impeccables, le California Coast est une valeur sûre… à condition de garder à l'esprit que l'absence de toilettes et l'autonomie limitée imposent des étapes régulières au camping. Tarif de la version de base: 55200 €. Hormis la continuité d’un certain état d’esprit et une polyvalence affirmée, il n’y a vraiment plus rien de commun entre le California d’aujourd’hui et l’antique Combi. Différence majeure: le Transporter aménagé d'aujourd'hui est ultra-confortable. C’est au début des années cinquante qu’un artisan d’outre-Rhin installa à son bord le premier aménagement. Soixante ans après, l’histoire n’a plus de secret. Le Combi devint Transporter et, à son bord, Volkswagen se charge désormais de l’aménagement qui a beaucoup évolué. Et six générations de Transporter plus tard, la légende perdure. Indémodable, éprouvé, plébiscité, l’aménagement du California Coast séduit toujours ceux qui privilégient la simplicité de vie à bord et qui entendent faire d’un camping-car un véhicule du quotidien. À moins que ce ne soit l’inverse. Mais toujours dans le confort. Lire aussi notre article 10 vérités sur les fourgons aménagés, des camping-cars pas si différents À bord, les manipulations se limitent au strict nécessaire: mise en place de la table (ingénieux système), pivotement des sièges cabine, relevage du toit (motorisé sur l’Ocean, pas sur le Coast). Rien de plus. La place manque ici pour donner le détail de tout ce qui fait l’agrément de ce California. Il faudrait décrire ses rangements variés, son petit coffre secret, le sommier à lattes de son lit haut, sa trémie fermée par un rideau à lamelles. Il faudrait encore citer son mobilier de plein air (une table, deux chaises) et l’ingéniosité de son rangement, sa banquette coulissante… Lire aussi notre article Le nouveau visage d'un camping-car mythique: le VW California sur T6 À son bord, la simplicité et l’élégance sont de mise et font également partie du plaisir éprouvé. Sous cet angle, les techniques développées, les matériaux modernes utilisés et le haut niveau de finition placent ce California dans la famille automobile. Ils font de ce camping-car compact une sorte de frégate du bitume qui, toit baissé et portières fermées, ne laisse rien deviner de ses capacités. Une frégate que l’on choisira plus pour son style et le plaisir qu’elle procure, que pour son autonomie, imposant de fréquents ravitaillements dans le cadre d’une utilisation familiale pour laquelle il faudra attendre le retour des beaux jours. Volkswagen California Coast, fiche technique L x l x h : 4,89 x 1,90 x 1,99 m Porteur : Volkswagen Transporter 2,0 l Tdi de 150 ch, toit relevable à parois entoilées PTAC/CU: 3000/550 kg Places autorisées : 4 Couchages: lit haut de120 x 200 cm, lit dînette de 113 x 202 cm Toilette : sans Eaux propre/usées : 30/30 l Réfrigérateur : à compression de 42 l Chauffage : à air pulsé programmable, sur carburant Équipements de série : ESP, ASR, aide au démarrage en côte, airbags frontaux et latéraux, détecteur de fatigue, régulateur de vitesse, réglage automatique de la portée des phares, climatisation, système radio (écran tactile), volant multifonctions, rideaux occultation… • Tarif : (version 2,0 l de 150 ch, boîte de vitesse manuelle) Pour ▲ Polyvalence, compacité ▲ Équipement cabine ▲ Comportement, agrément routier ▲ Agrément, facilité de vie à bord ▲ Confort nocturne ▲ Qualité de fabrication ▲ Finition de type automobile ▲ Coffre arrière modulable Contre ▼ Autonomie pour quatre Voir les commentaires