California history
The "California" is not sold in (California) USA/NA although demand is high, the name "California' was previously used by Volkswagen for the Westfalia-built campervans since 1988. Westfalia was the Official Manufacturer of motorhomes for VW. When the Westfalia company was bought by DaimlerChrysler in 2001, VW decided to build and design their own campervan range, based on the legendary Transporter range.
The California launched in August, 2003. In 2004 two design studies were presented at the Caravan Salon in Dsseldorf: California Beach and California Tramper. VWCV expanded the range in 2005 with the California (Multivan/Kombi) Beach, to bridge the gap between the Multivan/Kombi people carriers and the California.
At the 2007 Caravan Salon in Dsseldorf, VWCV launched the new California Beach with pop top bed, as seen in the higher specified versions of the California range.
VW California (Multivan/Kombi) Beach specs & features
Australian spec Kombi Beach, known as California/Multivan Beach in Germany
ABS brakes
Acceleration Slip Regulator (ASR) - a traction control system
cruise control
air conditioning
power front windows
heated doors and mirrors
remote central locking
CD player with 6 speakers
alloy wheels with full size spares
dimmable dashboard illumination
storage nets
Bedding
The "Good Night Package" comes with curtains, and the ability to fold the seats into a bed for two.
Indoor/outdoor features
A folding table integrated within the sliding door is able to be used outside and inside with two folding chairs.
Combined with the rear seats, the front seats swivel 180 degrees, so you can have a meeting/meal/break with the rear seat passengers.
Other options
California Beach now has the option of the elevating "pop top" aluminium roof, with bed space of 120x200cm in Germany.
VW California specs & features
California Comfortline in Germany
Bedding
The California comes with an electro-hydraulically elevating aluminium roof with bed space of 120x200cm.
The rear seating in the California can be arranged to make lower level double bed measuring 200x114cm.
Kitchen
The kitchen comprises a sink, a two burner gas cooktop powered by a 2.8 kg gas cylinder, a 42 litre compressor fridge, two kitchen storage cupboards with drawers integrated in the design are also standard.
Indoor/outdoor features
A standard fitment twin water tanks both hold 30 litres of water, one for drinking water, the other for foul/waste water.
There is an optional 250 cm awning which mounts above the sliding door, and a foldaway table and two chairs are hidden in the tailgate hatch.
Other Options
satellite navigation system
3 Zone Climatic airconditioner
alcantara and leather upholstery
6 disc CD changer
single seat for living area
parking sensors for front and rear
rain sensing wipers
auto dimming rear view mirror
headlamp washers
electric sliding door
privacy glass for rear
removable towbar
4motion four-wheel drive system
References
^ California Beach Poptop picture thread at VWwatercooled forum
^ a b c Volkswagen Kombi Beach
^ California Beach @ Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf - VWwatercooled Australia
^ a b c d Volkswagen Driver, November 2006 page 27-30 -UK Publication
External links
VW Germany's California Website
VW UK's California Website
VW Australia's Kombi Beach Website
VW Australia's California Website
Brick-Yard UK - Multivan & Transporter forums
VWvortex Vans & Transporter forums
Australian VWCV forum
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see also
list of Volkswagen Group factories list of Volkswagen Group platforms list of Volkswagen Group petrol engines list of Volkswagen Group diesel engines discontinued petrol engines discontinued diesel engines North American engines 4motion Transporter (range) Volkswagen Trucks and Buses
current Volkswagen
Commercial Vehicles range
Caddy / Caddy Life / Caddy Maxi T5: Transporter / Multivan / Eurovan / Kombi / Caravelle California (Multivan / Kombi) Crafter
discontinued
aircooled VW CV models
Plattenwagen Kleinlieferwagen (Fridolin) EA489 Basistransporter (Hormiga) Type 2 (T1) Transporter / Bus / Splitscreen Type 2 (T3): Transporter / Caravelle / Vanagon / T25
discontinued
watercooled VW CV models
Type 2 (T3): Transporter / Caravelle / Vanagon / T25 T4: Transporter / Multivan / Caravelle / Eurovan Taro LT
VW CV concept vehicles
Microbus Concept Search and Rescue Pickup Concept
future Volkswagen CVs
Amarok
VW CV based Campervans
Westfalia Campervans
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Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles timeline, European market, 1950resent a marque of the Volkswagen Group
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Categories: Volkswagen vehicles | Vans | Minivans
Volkswagen California