Commercial California Vehicles Models: California SE | California Beach Press information 1 Contents 2 Contents Overview 04 History 08 Design 10 Interior 12 Engines 18 BlueMotion Technology 20 Gearboxes 21 Running gear 22 Safety systems 25 Value and equipment 28 Options and aftercare 32 Servicing and warranty 33 Technical data 34 Press office contacts 38 3 Overview › Volkswagen’s original full factory-designed campervan is an enduring success › Two trims: Beach and SE › Engine choices comprise 114PS, 140PS or 180PS 2.0-litre units › Seven-speed DSG auto and 4MOTION four-wheel drive availability › Standard BlueMotion Technology for ultimate engine efficiency › Comprehensively equipped, exceptionally versatile recreational vehicles he Volkswagen California Beach and SE are the latest additions to the unrivalled Theritage of Volkswagen campervans. Unlike many campervans which are essentially conversions based on the Transporter window van, the California is unique as Volkswagen’s original, full factory-designed and produced campervan. Volkswagen is the only vehicle manufacturer to produce its own campervan. It benefits from the expertise and production standards given to every other Volkswagen model, and is the only recreational vehicle of its sort available officially in the UK with full European Whole Vehicle Type Approval. Apart from its great design and high quality, the California is compact and convenient enough to be used as an everyday vehicle, yet 4 easily turns into a home from home a distinctive front end, bringing it in Power comes from three derivatives of for days out, weekend escapes or line with Volkswagen passenger cars; the same 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine. All Key fact variants have BlueMotion Technology longer adventures. aerodynamic door mirrors; and a range The range-topping as standard to maximise fuel efficiency. of enhancements to the instruments, California SE comes A five- or six-speed manual gearbox is Home from home steering wheel and front seats. with everything standard, depending on specification, The California is offered in two variants: on board for the while DSG seven-speed transmission the entry-level Beach without kitchen High equipment levels adventurous is available with the 140PS and 180PS facilities; and the range-topping SE with Safety features include daytime running traveller’s home on engines. Volkswagen’s 4MOTION four- everything on board for the adventurous lights; the latest ESP (Electronic the move, including wheel drive is offered on the SE. traveller’s home on the move, including Stabilisation Programme); and optional the kitchen sink.. the kitchen sink... ‘lane change assist’ that alerts the driver The entry-level Beach variant features The current California launched in the to any other traffic in or approaching the a manually operated pop-up roof with UK in 2010. Key design features include: blind spot. closable ventilation and a mosquito net, 5 Overview under which is a comfortable roof bed. In addition the two-seat rear bench converts into a sleeping area measuring a generous 1.55x2.01m. Two folding chairs are stowed in the tailgate, and a folding table fits neatly into the sliding rear door. Adventure for all As a comprehensive recreational vehicle, the California SE provides a number of features you wouldn’t find on the average family car. These include: two double beds; an electrically powered pop-up roof; a kitchen with fridge, cooker and sink; window blinds; independent heating system; and fresh and waste water tanks. Other highlights are: two deckchairs stored in the rear tailgate; a table stored in the side sliding door; parking and auxiliary with alarm; radio/CD with AUX-In socket, arrange weekends together. heaters with remote control; double glazing alloy wheels; and ISOFIX mounting points The California enjoys the high standard for the living area, its own battery power, for child seats. of build quality found in all Volkswagen plus an AC inverter with a 230V socket passenger cars and commercial vehicles. that can power electrical equipment up Passionate following However for added peace of mind, it also to 150W without having to connect to the Enthusiastic California owners have comes with the manufacturer-backed external 230V mains hook-up. Standard established their own website (www. 100,000-mile/three-year warranty and three specification includes powered windows; thevwcalifornia.com) as well as a Facebook years’ Volkswagen Roadside Assistance air conditioning; remote central locking forum to share photos, tips, blogs and to covering the whole of Europe. 6 7 History Spirit of adventure he iconic camper van joined the Transporter line-up in 1951 but it wasn’t until the 1960s when it was adopted by a free-spirited Tgeneration. It became a cult symbol of an alternative lifestyle and images of vans painted in psychedelic designs enthral to this day. The versatile, practical camper van captured the spirit of the times and has been the epitome of independent travel ever since. And those 60 years of experience runs through the latest generation of Volkswagen campers – the California SE and California Beach. Inspired by the past, built for today, the Volkswagen California introduces new standards of comfort, performance and safety, thanks to its modern purpose-built design and superb engineering. But the ethos remains the same. The latest evolution of Volkswagen’s iconic camper van still symbolises the fun, freedom and adventure that was such an appealing quality of the much-loved original. The ability to go where you please, when you please is as relevant today as it was in the 1950s – maybe even more so. Yes, there are those who love the nostalgia, but the appeal of the California lies across a generation. Whether it’s a family camping holiday, a festival weekend, or a voyage of discovery road trip, the Volkswagen camper van gives you the freedom of the open road and provides a place to relax, eat and sleep. Travel is not just about the destination, it’s about getting there, too. 8 Volkswagen Camper Van production milestones 1949 The first ever Volkswagen Transporter van is launched at the Geneva Motor Show, with its distinctive smiling face. 1951 The Volkswagen Transporter is developed into the iconic camper. 1960s The camper van is adopted by the hippie generation, becoming a cult symbol of an alternative lifestyle. 1967 Second generation Transporter, known as the T2, does away with the classic, ‘splittie’ (split windscreen) design and introduces panoramic vision, gaining the nickname ‘Bay’. 1979 The T2 becomes the T3, introducing a more angular design 1990 The Transporter turns 40 and the fourth generation, T4, Transporter is launched. 2003 The fifth generation T5 Transporter launches to critical acclaim and provides the basis for the latest Volkswagen California camper van. 2013 Volkswagen California celebrates its 25th anniversary, with around 100,000 California camper vans rolling off the production line since the start of production. Production of the T2 campervan ceases in Brazil. 9 Design 10 Adventure on wheels: California exterior design he California is a multi-purpose, recreational vehicle designed without Tcompromise. Honed to perfection over five decades, the current version is the best-equipped and most practical to date. Easy to use every day but with the ability to transform into a campervan and a home from home on the road, it represents over 50 years of development. Externally, unless the optional awning is fitted, there is little to indicate the California’s dual purpose. It shares many design elements with the acclaimed Volkswagen Caravelle, and thanks to clever integration of features, such as the pop-up roof that sits flush to the original roofline when folded, it has a smooth, uncluttered appearance. At 1995mm, the California is only 25mm higher than a Caravelle. new front bumper includes the option of rear, to identify the engines, the last letter In terms of styling features, the latest fog lights with integrated cornering-light of the TDI badge is red for the 140PS California is easily identified with its function to illuminate the direction in model, and for the range-topping 180PS new frontal styling in line with the latest which the vehicle is turning. BiTDI, the last two letters are red. Volkswagen passenger cars, such as the Aerodynamic powered, heated and Optional front and rear parking sensors Polo and Golf. folding door mirrors help contribute to can help prevent body damage when For added safety, the headlights feature improving fuel economy and minimising manoeuvring, and for even more visibility daytime running lights. Below this, the noise inside the new California. At the a reversing camera is an optional extra. 11 Interior Taking the inside outside: interior design he California is whatever the customer requires, whether that’s Ta family car, mobile office or recreational vehicle. Its versatile, well designed and high-quality interior can fulfil all these functions in one neat package. You can sleep, eat and hang out in the Beach, while the SE adds external power hook-up plus a kitchenette with running water and cooker. Designed for life on the road Unlike larger, more cumbersome motorhomes, the California is designed to be a campervan that can be used as an everyday vehicle for all the regular trips a passenger car does, such as taking children to school or going to the supermarket or office, yet has an interior designed to function as a home from home on the road. The California SE’s interior is a triumph of design and packaging, and fully showcases the Transporter’s adaptability. 12 The pop-up roof, kitchen with fridge, provide privacy while five LED spotlights under the rear seat, two cupboards cooker and sink, two double beds, and a fluorescent striplight are fully under the kitchen unit, a hanging rail wardrobe and programmable heating integrated into the interior design in the wardrobe, a pull-down locker in system are all features usually reserved to provide illumination after dark.