Caravan Salon 2019: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles gives a world première to the new California 6.1

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• Mobile home update: digitalised ‘camper control unit’, kitchen and cabinets enhanced, beds given added comfort
• Functions update: rearranged dashboards, digital instruments, new online infotainment systems
• Handling update: electro-mechanical power steering brings interactive assistance systems on board
• Range update: #california61, Grand California and Caddy Beach fulfil practically all campers’ wishes

 

Hannover, 27 August 2019 – In the blink of an eye, the California transforms itself from an MPV into a camper #van. This versatility has given it iconic status in its vehicle class. Now, in a world première at the Caravan Salon in #Düsseldorf (31 Aug. to 8 Sept.), #Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is unveiling a comprehensive update: the #california61. External identifying mark: a new front. Internal features include new dashboards with for the first time as an option fully digital instruments, plus a new camper control unit with touchscreen in the roof console. The kitchen and cabinet elements have been enhanced, the beds honed to perfection. Safety is improved by new features such as Cross Wind Assist. Optimum connectivity is guaranteed by new infotainment systems with integrated Internet access. Alongside the #california61, also being shown in #Düsseldorf are the new Grand California and Caddy Beach.

THE NEW CALIFORNIA 6.1

The Swiss army knife of camper vans
Coinciding with its world première at the Caravan Salon, the first few countries are also starting to take orders for the #california61. The full launch begins in the autumn. The camper van's predecessor achieved sales of over 175,000 units – a world record. Factors responsible for this success included the numerous practical details: features such as the bed integrated within the pop-up roof, the camping chairs stowed in tailgate and the camping table that clicks into place in the sliding door make the California the Swiss army knife of camper vans. On board the #california61 many details have now been further perfected or reinvented.

Redesigned front shows even more charisma
Like its predecessor, the #california61 is being offered as Beach, Coast and Ocean versions. Visual aspects that differentiate the three models from each other include the differently configured new front section. Embellished with five chrome strips, the top part of the Ocean radiator grille forms an entity with the new LED daytime running lights; Beach and Coast have two chrome strips here. Under that on all three versions is a broad chrome bar and a further large air intake for the efficient engines. Joining in finally is the bumper, which in comparison to the previous model is even more charismatic; it is embellished on the California Ocean 6.1 in similar fashion by a chrome strip.

Interior solutions with maritime flair
The Coast and Ocean versions are equipped with rear cupboards and a row of kitchen units. These fixtures, with a compact, clear design as on a small yacht, have been further enhanced and equipped with new details such as an additional double USB socket. Eye-catching and practical: new aluminium handles on all the kitchen's doors. Also new: push buttons for opening up the kitchen surface (sink, cooker, fridge); they are worked into the elegant aluminium edging of the row of kitchen units. The shutters in the rear cupboard have been replaced by new sliding doors. Another new creation is the natural wood look of all the cupboards: it is available in the pale ‘Bright Oak’ and darker ‘Graphite Grey’. Matched by the designers to the new decorative looks are the seat covers, which are now darker and thus less susceptible to dirt.

The pop-up roof unites all versions of the California 6.1
All three version of the #california61 are united by the pop-up roof: in the case of the #california61 Ocean it has an electro-hydraulic motor and large front opening as standard. Now used across the board underneath the pop-up roof is a new bed with a sprung base rather than a slatted frame. Down below, all models offer a further bed. The two-seater bench seat of the Coast and Ocean can now be transformed into a lounger sofa: simply fold down the rear bench seat’s backrest and raise the bed extension at the very back up to the desired height – and hey presto, you have a cosy lounger sofa for relaxing.

New canvas sides and new sunrise function
Optimum protection from too much incoming light is provided by the now darker grey (Basalt Grey) canvas sides of the pop-up roof with integrated high bed. As an option, the canvas sides are again available in Glacier Blue and Strawberry Red. Waking up, meanwhile, is made more pleasant by a new sunrise function that uses individually selectable LEDs in the roof and living area to slowly turn the lights up to the desired level of brightness over a user-definable length of time.

New multi-functional camper control unit
The sunrise function is controlled – like all main camper settings in the #california61 – via the newly developed control panel in the overhead console. The previously used monochrome display has been replaced here by a large, full colour touchscreen with considerably more functions. All sorts of information can be accessed via the control panel and the following features on the menu can be controlled: ‘Camping’ (mode), ‘Cool Box’, ‘Max. Charge’, ‘Rear Climate’, ‘Alarm’, ‘Timer’, ‘Light’ and the system's ‘Set-up’. In the California Ocean 6.1 the pop-up roof, with electro-hydraulic operation as standard, is additionally controlled via the ‘Pop-up Roof’ menu and the air heating that also comes at no extra charge in the top model via ‘Auxiliary Heating’. The sunrise function is set on the ‘Light’ menu and activated via ‘Alarm’. An extremely practical feature is the new ‘Level’ function: a level indicator in the camper control unit shows the lengthways and crossways angle at which the California is parked on the campsite. That makes it very much easier to get the camper level.

New Digital Cockpit, MIB2, MIB3 and We Connect
As an option, the camper can for the first time be ordered with fully digital instruments: the Digital Cockpit. The infotainment range has also been reconfigured. It starts with the Composition Colour (touchscreen, 6.5-inch), a second-generation Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB2) system. Over and above this, two devices from the third generation of the Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB3) are being used: the Discover Media (8-inch touchscreen) and Discover Pro (9.2-inch) navigation systems. The common feature of all MIB2 ad MIB3 systems is the link with the Online Connectivity Unit and the eSIM integrated within it. Via this interface the #california61 connects with the mobile online services and functions of We Connect and We Connect Plus.

New electro-mechanical steering and driver assistance systems
The key technical change in terms of handling is the switch from hydraulic to electro-mechanical power steering. Thanks to now having this steering system that can be actively controlled and incidentally is energy-saving, the #california61 will launch with numerous new driver assistance systems. The extended range of systems includes Lane Assist, Park Assist, a side protection function (warns of obstacles when manoeuvring) and Trailer Assist (simplifies manoeuvring with a trailer). Also included will be Cross Wind Assist; it automatically stabilises the camper in the #Event of strong winds. Offered as an option will be the DCC Adaptive Chassis Control system, now for the first time seamlessly adjustable.

Four TDI engines with power output ranging from 110 PS to 199 PS1
The #california61 will be powered by efficient turbo diesel injection (TDI) engines of three output levels: 81 kW / 110 PS, 110 kW / 150 PS and 146 KW / 199 PS. The 150 and 199 PS versions can be combined with 4MOTION all-wheel drive and a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). The top specification 199 PS engine comes with DSG as standard. All #california61 TDI engines fulfil the latest Euro 6d TEMP EAVP ISC emissions standard.

THE CADDY BEACH AND GRAND CALIFORNIA

One brand, three camper lines
With the Crafter-based Grand California launched in 2019, the #california61 and the Caddy Beach, #Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles now has three stand-alone camper #van lines in its model range. The compact Caddy Beach is the popular entry-level camper. Positioned above it is the larger #california61, a classic camper #van. With the Grand California, complete with fully fitted washroom, #Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has taken its range up another level this year. Visitors to the brand's stand at the Caravan Salon (hall 16, stand D22) can take a look at all three mobile home concepts and decide which camper suits their individual stage of life best: the Caddy Beach with fold-out bed and optional tent for the rear hatch, the #california61 with fold-out bed below and another bed in the pop-up roof, the Grand California 600 (3,640 mm wheelbase) with crossways bed in the rear and child’s bed in the high roof or the Grand California 680 (4,490 mm wheelbase) with its large, lengthways bed in the back.

Also on show from 20 different firms in halls 12, 14 and 15 at the Caravan Salon will be superstructures on the company's Amarok, Caddy, Crafter and T6 vehicles.

1 The vehicle is not yet on sale.