Volkswagen California
Encyclopedia
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.
-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 higher specified versions of the California range.
Combined with the rear seats, the front seats swivel 180 degrees, so you can have a meeting/meal/break with the rear seat passengers.
From 2010 a new version of the VW T5 California - commonly known as the 'facelift' model - was launched and replaced the older, pre-2010, version. Notable changes to the later models include a re-styled grille as well as re-designed headlamps and wing mirrors. The 130ps and 174ps 2.5 litre engines were replaced with 140ps turbo and 180ps bi-turbo 2.0 litre engines.
The rear seating in the California can be arranged to make lower level double bed measuring 200x114cm.
, 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.
Volkswagen Transporter (T5)
The Volkswagen Transporter T5 range is the fifth generation of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles medium-sized light commercial vehicle and people mover Caravelle/Multivan range...
by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles , , is a German manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Originally part of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars company, it is now a separate brand and marque of the Volkswagen Group....
(VWCV). It is the first campervan designed and built in-house by VWCV Special Business Unit, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
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 WestfaliaWestfalia
Westfalia is the designation of various specially converted Volkswagen camper vans. It is named after Westfalia-Werke, the contractor that built the vans, which is headquartered in the town of Rheda-Wiedenbrück located in the Westphalia region of Germany....
-built campervans since 1988. Westfalia was the Official Manufacturer of motorhomes for VW. When the Westfalia
Westfalia
Westfalia is the designation of various specially converted Volkswagen camper vans. It is named after Westfalia-Werke, the contractor that built the vans, which is headquartered in the town of Rheda-Wiedenbrück located in the Westphalia region of Germany....
company was bought by DaimlerChrysler in 2001, VW decided to build and design their own campervan range, based on the legendary Transporter
Volkswagen Transporter
The Volkswagen Transporter, based on the Volkswagen Group's T platform, now in its fifth generation, refers to a series of vans produced over 60 years and marketed worldwide....
range.
The California launched in August, 2003. In 2004 two design studies were presented at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
: 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 higher specified versions of the California range.
VW California (Multivan/Kombi) Beach specs & features
- ABSAnti-lock braking systemAn anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
brakes - Acceleration Slip Regulator (ASR) - a traction control systemTraction control systemA traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
- cruise controlCruise controlCruise control is a system that automatically controls the speed of a motor vehicle. The system takes over the throttle of the car to maintain a steady speed as set by the driver.-History:...
- air conditioning
- power front windows
- heated doors and mirrors
- remote central lockingPower door locksPower door locks allow the driver or front passenger to simultaneously lock or unlock all the doors of an automobile or truck, by pressing a button or flipping a switch....
- CD player with 6 speakers
- alloy wheelAlloy wheelAlloy wheels are automobile wheels which are made from an alloy of aluminium or magnesium. They are typically lighter for the same strength...
s 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
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 waterDrinking water
Drinking water or potable water is water pure enough to be consumed or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually...
, the other for foul/waste water.
There is an optional 250 cm awning
Awning
An awning or overhang is a secondary covering attached to the exterior wall of a building. It is typically composed of canvas woven of acrylic, cotton or polyester yarn, or vinyl laminated to polyester fabric that is stretched tightly over a light structure of aluminium, iron or steel, possibly...
which mounts above the sliding door, and a foldaway table and two chairs are hidden in the tailgate hatch.
Other options
- satellite navigation systemAutomotive navigation systemAn automotive navigation system is a satellite navigation system designed for use in automobiles. It typically uses a GPS navigation device to acquire position data to locate the user on a road in the unit's map database. Using the road database, the unit can give directions to other locations...
- 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
- 4motion4motion4motion is a registered trademark of Volkswagen AG, used exclusively on Volkswagen-branded automobiles which utilise four-wheel drive systems. Volkswagen has previously used the term "Syncro" for its 4WD models....
four-wheel driveFour-wheel driveFour-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
system