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Volkswagen California
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| Volkswagen California | |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen | |
| aka | Type aka here, not up there |
| Production | produced from when to when+total units made (optional) |
| Class | Van |
| Body Style | how many doors+how many seats+what type of body |
| Length | length - type here |
| Width | Width - type here |
| Height | Height - type here |
| Wheelbase | wheelbase - type here |
| Weight | Weight - you get the point |
| Transmission | transmission + drive |
| Engine | engine |
| Power | N/A hp @ N/A rpm N/A lb-ft of torque @ N/A rpm |
| Similar | similar (competition) |
| Designer | Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort) |
The Volkswagen California is based on the T5 Multivan by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV). It is the first campervan designed and built in-house by VWCV Special Business Unit, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
The "California" name 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 Düsseldorf: 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 Düsseldorf, VWCV launched the new California Beach with pop top bed, as seen in the of the California range.<ref>California Beach Poptop picture thread at VWwatercooled forum</ref>
See Wikicars' comprehensive Volkswagen California Review.
Recent Changes
- The 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show will play host to the unveiling of a facelifted and minor repackage of the T5 family', including the Transporter, Caravelle, Multivan and California. Aesthetically, the facelift focuses on the front fascia, reshaped to bring it into line with Volkswagen's current corporate face. Other updates include a range of common rail TDI engines, new rear-light clusters, more aerodynamic side mirrors, touchscreen navigation, USB connectivity, updated ESP, 4MOTION AWD and a hill-start assist feature. Plus, a manual gearbox can be optioned. Speaking of the new turbo diesels, the 2.0 TDI can be selected with four different power outputs:
All the engines have a particle filter and all will be attached, standard, to a 7-speed DSG dual clutch gearbox (unless the aforementioned Manual is specified). [1]
Styles and Major Options
VW California (Multivan/Kombi) Beach
- 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<ref name="California Beach">Volkswagen Kombi Beach</ref>here.
Bedding The "Good Night Package" comes with curtains, and the ability to fold the seats into a bed for two.<ref name="California Beach" />
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.<ref name="California Beach" />
Other options California Beach now has the option of the elevating "pop top" aluminium roof, with bed space of 120x200cm in Germany.<ref>California Beach @ Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf - VWwatercooled Australia</ref>
VW California specs & features
- 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<ref name="Volkswagen Driver page 27-30" />
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.<ref name="Volkswagen Driver page 27-30">Volkswagen Driver, November 2006 page 27-30 -UK Publication</ref>
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.<ref name="Volkswagen Driver page 27-30" />
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.<ref name="Volkswagen Driver page 27-30" />
Pricing
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Gas Mileage
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As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:
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Engine and Transmission
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Resale Values
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See Also
External Links
- VW Germany's California Website
- VW UK's California Website
- VW Australia's Kombi Beach Website
- VW Australia's California Website
News and References
- 2010 VW Transporter, Caravelle, Mutlivan and California Facelift Officially Revealed
- Leaked: 2010 Volkswagen Transporter Facelift Photos
- New 2010 Volkswagen T5 Van facelift revealed
- VW Caravelle, California and Transporter get Golf nosejobs, head for Frankfurt
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