VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA ESTATE

Name: VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA 1.5 TSI eHybrid Beach Camper 5dr 4MOTION DSG
Brand: VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA
SKU: 106416
Availability: InStock

1.5 TSI eHybrid Beach Camper 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Images are for illustrative purposes only.

Fuel Type Hybrid

Range 53 miles

Real World Estimate 45 miles

Co2 68.00g/km

Transmission Automatic

Top Speed 124mph

WLTP Combined Range/Economy achieved under standardised test conditions.

Customise Deal

Lease Type

Personal Business

Contract Length

Initial Rental

Annual Mileage

Maintenance

An excess mileage charge will apply if you exceed the contracted mileage. The exact charge will be confirmed on the official quotation prior to your acceptance to proceed.

Important Information

Excess mileage charges will apply if you go over the stated contract mileage.
Vehicle damage charges may occur if the vehicle is returned outside BVRLA's Fair Wear and Tear guidelines.
All rentals are subject to the necessary finance acceptance criteria.
Prices shown are indicative and subject to change.
No ownership option is available on this lease.
Manufacturer’s maintenance schedule must be observed and additional charges may apply for failure to maintain servicing and any non fair wear and tear damage to the vehicle.
Quoted leadtimes are estimates based on information from the manufacturer and are subject to change. We will keep you up to date during the course of your order.
If you are ordering a Used Vehicle you acknowledge that some minor wear and tear or cosmetic damage may be present on the vehicle, such as small chips, scuffs, or scratches.

Fetching your price

Fuel Type Hybrid

Range 53 miles

Real World Estimate 45 miles

Co2 68.00g/km

Transmission Automatic

Top Speed 124mph

WLTP Combined Range/Economy achieved under standardised test conditions.

VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA Review

- Independent review from Car and Driving

Performance
6
Handling
8
Comfort
7
Space
8
Styling
7
Build
7
Value
7
Equipment
7
Economy
8
Depreciation
7
Insurance
7

Want a family vehicle you could really live with - and live in? Yes really. Jonathan Crouch drives Volkswagen's revitalised seventh generation California camper.

Ten Second Review

Why does a camper have to be based on a van? Volkswagen doesn't think it does and wheels out this seventh generation MPV-based California model as proof. Despite dispensing with commercial roots, it's more practical and versatile than ever before.

Background

This isn't just a different kind of Volkswagen California; it's a different kind of camper full-stop. Until now, campers have always been based on vans; certainly, the California model lineage always has been, with roots going all the way back to 1950s motorhome conversions of the brand's original Type 2 van. More recent Californias have been based on the Wolfsburg maker's Transporter LCV, but this seventh generation version switches for the first time to a car-derived platform, the MQB architecture used for all Volkswagen's medium-sized combustion models. That's because for this new California generation, the fundamentals are not from the new generation Transporter commercial (as many had expected), but from the large Multivan MPV. Keeping the California Transporter-based would have enabled introduction of an EV variant, but the brand has planned a camper version of the ID.Buzz to fill that niche. Instead, this MK7 California offers the option of Plug-in Hybrid tech and cheerfully embraces all the practical advantages that adoption of the long wheelbase Multivan platform gives it. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

Some of Volkswagen's popular engines feature here. Things kick off with two conventional units, the 150PS 2.0 TDI diesel most will continue to choose, or a petrol powerplant, the 204PS 2.0-litre TSI, though that isn't going to be cheap to run. If efficiency is uppermost in your mind, consider the 1.5-litre eHybrid Plug-in petrol model, which has enough EV battery range for regular local school runs and shopping trips. The 245PS PHEV version comes with 4MOTION 4WD too - which will be a boon on slippery campsites - and goes 54 miles on a charge. Across the range, the height's compatible with garages and multi-storey car parks. Around town and on narrow country roads, like the Multivan MPV it's based on, the California feels the prodigious size that it is, but as advertised, it's much more car-like than the previous generation van-based model. Potholes and speed humps no longer send tremors through the body structure because that chassis is now so much stiffer. Plus the suspension set-up's been optimised and is available with extra cost Dynamic Chassis Control adaptive damping if you want it. Roll through the bends has been reduced by about 25% and the steering is far more direct, though doesn't have much feedback. Should you be running late for the school run, you can actually even drive with a bit of enthusiasm and you sit a little further back than in the old California, in a driving position that's less upright. The driving position and steering wheel are infinitely adjustable. So much so that, from Kylie Minogue to Giant Haystacks, virtually anyone's optimum driving position is attainable - it's just a matter of finding it. There are armrests on each chair too, along with supportive cushioning and fetching fabric. When stationary, you turn around the front two chairs to face the two in the rear.

Design and Build

This updated version of the current California gets a sharper-looking front end, where there are restyled headlamps featuring a revised LED light signature. There's also a freshly introduced gap between the bumper and the radiator grille which is supposed to emphasise the vehicle's width. Restyled 17, 18 and 19-inch wheels complete the changes. You might not expect that basing this generation of California on the Caravelle MPV would make it bigger, but that's what's happened. You might also be surprised to learn that this is the first California generation to offer sliding doors on both sides. And that's important because it means that the kitchen - with a hob, a cool box, a sink and larger work tops - is accessible from outside for the first time. Optional awnings can be fitted on either side of the vehicle. And the old model's rear bench is replaced by chairs at the back that are separate and individual, though some storage space has been lost as a result. Most of the rear camper functions can now be controlled by a 5.0-inch display on the B-pillar. With this, you can operate the fridge or heater, check water and waste levels, adjust cabin lighting and raise or lower the pop-up roof (which gives you enough room to stand up when the bed isn't in place). Everything now seems much better laid out. And four or five people can fit inside, depending on the variant you choose. Most versions have two decently-sized beds, one in the roof and one with the rear seats folded. They're fiddly to pull into place though. Storage space is everywhere, with plenty of drawers and cupboards. Up-front, predictably, it's just as in a Multivan MPV, with a commanding driving position, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a large, though slightly slow-to-respond central touchscreen that's now 12.9-inches in size.

Market and Model

Think in terms of paying around £65,000-£80,000. Which looks competitive against the two most obvious rivals, the Ford Transit Nugget (which starts at just over £76,000) and the Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo (which starts at just over £83,000). The California range is based around three main specification levels: 'Beach Camper', 'Coast' and 'Ocean'. All of course feature a pop-up roof. Volkswagen describes the base 'Beach Camper' variant as its 'classic camper van'. It seats five and sleeps four. This version also includes rotatable front seats, two folding chairs housed in the boot lid compartment, a folding table, sliding windows and a digital rear control panel. At this level in the range, you get kitchen elements like a single-ring gas cooker, a cutlery drawer and extra storage space, plus there's a 230V power supply. If you can progress further up the range, the next level is the 'Coast' version, which reduces passenger capacity to four seats, but gets an electro-hydraulic version of the pop-up roof and a larger, better packaged kitchen including a fridge, extra cabinets, a sink and a second camper battery. Plus there's an outdoor shower connection, two additional camping batteries, thermal windscreen and side cab window blinds, a 3-zone climate system, 'Park Assist' to steer you into space and 17-inch 'Dundrod' alloy wheels. The top 'Ocean' version gets all that (though with 18-inch 'Toshima' alloy wheels), plus fabric seats made from recycled materials that are heated for driver and passenger. Plus Discover Pro Navigation with a 10-inch screen, power sliding side doors, a roof-positioned storage box, keyless entry, IQ.Matrix LED headlights and a camper parking heater.

Cost of Ownership

You won't be expecting a camper of this size to be particularly cheap to run, but Volkswagen hopes to surprise you here. The 2.0 TDI diesel manages up to 41.7mpg on the combined cycle and 178g/km which, in combination with the 58-litre fuel tank, facilitates a range of well over 500 miles without refuelling. For this 2.0 TSI petrol model, the figures are rather different - bests of up to 30.5mpg and 210g/km. The Plug-in eHybrid petrol version's worth a look; yes, there's a big up-front price premium, but you'll save in fuel costs and taxation payments. As usual with PHEVs, the combined cycle fuel figure (here, quoted at 313.9mpg for the base version) is misleading, but if you can get the kind of regular return you would from the diesel version (which is likely), then that's a win, particularly as you'll be paying tax based on this Plug-in Hybrid's official 21g/km of CO2 figure. All California models are covered by what the brand calls its '5+ Promise', which extends the usual three year 60,000 Volkswagen warranty to five years and 100,000 miles, gives you five years of roadside assistance (with no mileage restriction) and promises that VW will pay for the first five services and the first three MoTs. It's worth factoring all of that into price comparisons you might be making with rivals. The paintwork warranty lasts for three years and the California is protected by a 12-year anti-corrosion body warranty.

Summary

As we've been telling you throughout this review, this is a very different kind of California - as it needs to be to fend off renewed segment competition. Basing a mid-sized camper of this size on a platform designed for a car rather than a van doesn't initially seem like a very good idea, but this VW pulls off this approach with impressive confidence. As you'd expect from the change of chassis, the ride and handling is now much less crude - but there's an up-front price to pay for that and several notable rivals are significantly cheaper. If you don't mind that and a few small caveats (slow-responding touchscreens and a fiddly process for setting up the beds), there's much to like here. A fresh class standard has been set.

Read Full Review

Vehicle information and specification is supplied by an industry leading third party provider and is to be used for guidance only. We encourage you to check all equipment on the manufacturer's website before you place an order.

Standard Equipment

Technical Data

Options

Charging info

Driver Convenience

Advanced driver attention and drowsiness monitor
California on tour app
Car2X high variant
Digital cockpit pro
Dynamic road sign display
eCall emergency system
Front cross traffic assist
Function control unit
IDA voice assistant and voice enhancer
Lane change assistant
Mobile phone interface
Motorhome Registration
Multifunction camera
PAS
Preparation for online services
Preparation for We connect and We connect plus
Servotronic speed sensitive power steering
Speed limiter and predicative speed limiter
Tailgate latching without unlatching function from inside
Turn assist with evasive assistance
Volkswagen wired and wireless app connect

Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension

Alternator 60A
Auxiliary battery with a low-voltage converter
Battery 380 A (68 Ah)
Battery without capacity specification
Charging cable mode 3, type 2/3, 16 A
Standard battery/generator

Entertainment

10.4 inch infotainment system with scalable module options
2 USB-C ports at the front, 4 USB-C charging sockets in the passenger compartment
8 Speakers
Digital radio reception (DAB)

Exterior Features

Canvas sides -Basalt grey includes panorama window
Four speed control for windscreen wipers
Heat and sound insulating laminated safety glass windshield
High gloss black door mirrors
Interior noise reduction
LED 3rd brake light
LED Headlights
Manually operated pop-up roof Bellows - Basalt Grey
Molding between headlamps painted to glossy black
Nameplate set California
Poor weather light including cornering light
Radiator grille
Rear boot
Red LED tail lights
Sliding window in front and fixed window in rear in load/passenger compartment on driver side
Windscreen wiper intermittent control

Interior Features

2 single seats with integrated seatbelt and sleeping mat
230V external inlet with charging feature for vehicle batteries
230V inverter with socket on driver seat
Additional interior noise attenuation
Armrest on front swivel seats in both sides with electric lumbar support
Auxiliary pre-heater
Camper parking heater for continuous operation and fuel fired auxiliary heater
Darkening roller blinds and curtain
Drawers under the outer seats in the cab and passenger compartment & 2 waste bins
Front and rear headrests
Lockable glove compartment without lighting
Mini-kitchen at rear with slide-out single-flame gas cooker including electrical equipment box with Camper battery 230-V outlet
Plastic floor covering in passenger/load compartment
Single front passenger seat
Storage compartment left and right 1st row of seats
Sun visors with mirror, illuminated, ticket holder on the driver side, with airbag label on sun visor and B-pillar
Surround lighting in door area
Swivel seat on left with height adjustable including drawer
Swivel seat on right with height adjustable including drawer
Without loading edge protection
Without luggage compartment cover

Packs

Lighting package - California

Passive Safety

2x3 point automatic seatbelts at the rear outside with ECE label, with/without belt tensioner
Autonomous emergency braking
Child locks
Driver and front passenger airbags with front passenger airbag deactivation button
First aid kit with warning triangle and safety vest
Front Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection
Front disc brakes
Height adjustable three point automatic seatbelts at front with belt and end fitting tensioners
Occupants detection only display
Side and curtain airbags for driver and front passenger, curtain airbags for outer seats in rear, centre airbag in front
Swerve support and oncoming vehicle braking when turning
Tyre pressure loss indicator
Warning signal and warning lamp for front and rear seat belts not fastened

Security

Anti theft alarm system with interior monitoring in cab, backup horn and towing protection
Lockable wheel bolts
Preparation for alcohol interlock

Service/Warranty

5+ Promise service plan

Trim

Scale light grey decorative inlays

Wheels

17" Dundrod silver alloy wheels
Trims for alloy wheels
Without spare wheel

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty

70
Battery Capacity in kWh

19.7
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins)

514
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change

0-100
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW

2.3
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins)

162
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change

0-100
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW

7
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins)

Not Available
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change

Not Available
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW

Not Available
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins)

Not Available
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change

Not Available
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW

Not Available
Battery Leased

No
Battery Type

Lithium-ion
Charging Port Location

Left Side Front
Coupler/Connector Type

Type 2
Maximum Charging Rate - kW

7
Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage

99419
Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years

5
Usable Battery Capacity

Not Available
WLTP - EC AC Weighted (kWh/100km) - Comb

25.1
WLTP - EC AC Weighted (miles/kWh) - Comb

2.5
WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - City

95
WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb

86
WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb - TEH

86
WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb - TEL

86
WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - City

59
WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb

53.4
WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb - TEH

53.4
WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb - TEL

53.4

Emissions - ICE

HC+NOx

Not Available
Particles

Not Available
Standard Emissions

EURO 6e-bis

Emissions - PHEV

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb

68
WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEH

70
WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEL

67

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft

DOHC
Catalytic Convertor

Yes
CC

1498
Cylinder Layout

IN-LINE
Cylinders

4
Engine Layout

FRONT TRANSVERSE
Fuel Delivery

TURBO INJECTION
Gears

6 SPEED
Number of Valves

16
Transmission

SEMI-AUTO

Fuel Consumption - PHEV

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Comb

7.9
WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Extra High

8.3
WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - High

6.9
WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Low

9.6
WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Medium

7.7
WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Comb

35.8
WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Extra High

34
WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - High

40.9
WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Low

29.4
WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Medium

36.7
WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb

3
WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEH

3.1
WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEL

3
WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb

94.2
WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEH

91.4
WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEL

95.6

General

AdBlue

No
Alternative Fuel Qualifying

No
Badge Engine CC

1.5
Badge Power

245
Based On ID

Not Available
Coin Description

TSI
Coin Series

Beach Camper
Generation Mark

7
NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %

Not Available
NCAP Child Occupant Protection %

Not Available
NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09

Not Available
NCAP Pedestrian Protection %

Not Available
NCAP Safety Assist %

Not Available
Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?

No
Special Edition

No
Special Order

No
Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage

100000
Standard manufacturers warranty - Years

3
Vehicle Homologation Class

N1

Performance

Engine Power - BHP

245
Engine Power - KW

180
Engine Torque - LBS.FT

258
Engine Torque - MKG

35.7
Engine Torque - NM

350
Top Speed

124

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle

WLTP
RDE Certification Level

RDE 2

Tyres

Alloys?

Yes
Space Saver?

No
Tyre Size Front

235/55 R17
Tyre Size Rear

235/55 R17
Tyre Size Spare

TYRE REPAIR KIT
Wheel Style

DUNDROD
Wheel Type

17" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Height

1972
Height (including roof rails)

Not Available
Length

5173
Wheelbase

3124
Width

1941
Width (including mirrors)

2252

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight

2980
Max. Loading Weight

444
Max. Towing Weight - Braked

1570
Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked

750
Minimum Kerbweight

2536
No. of Seats

4

Charging Speeds

2h 42min

Home

7kW Charger

0h 22min

Fast

50kW Charger

0h 11min

Rapid

100kW Charger

0h 7min

Ultra-Rapid

150kW Charger

Company car tax calculator

Tax Year	BIK	BIK Value	Tax Payable at 20%	Tax Payable at 40%
2026/27	20%	£1203.20	£240.64	£481.28
2027/28	21%	£1263.36	£252.67	£505.34
2028/29	22%	£1323.52	£264.70	£529.41
2029/30	23%	£1383.68	£276.74	£553.47

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