There are vehicles where everyone seems to be cheering. This already applies to the VW bus in its various model generations. Even more popular, however, is the compact camper, which has been known as the Volkswagen California since the late 1980s. Its history begins with the generation of the T3 transporter. In the late summer of 1988, the first California generation was presented at the Essen Caravan Salon. No wonder that the prospect of the new version based on the VW T7 can also be admired again at the Caravan Salon – now held in Düsseldorf.
When the first generation premiered 35 years ago, the mobile home, which can be ordered in pastel white and marsala red, including the white-grey kitchen unit, cost DM 40,000. The first sale was successful and 5,000 vehicles were sold in the first year; within the first three years there are finally 22,000 pieces. With the generation step from T3 to T4 and the drive change from rear boxer to in-line engine at the front, demand is increasing because there is significantly more space inside. From 1990 to 2003, almost 40,000 Volkswagen T4 Californias were sold. From the third generation, which is based on the VW T5, the California version is even more comfortable, because by 2015 55,000 camping fans will be enjoying practical solutions such as the bed with slatted frame integrated in the pop-up roof, the camping chairs stowed in the tailgate or the camping chair in the Sliding clicked camping table. In 2017, the sixth generation of Transporters broke records, as the Hanoverian sold more than 15,000 California Campers within a year. The VW T6.1 California, which was unveiled in 2019, has been slightly revised.
The upcoming California, which is now based on the modular transverse matrix from the Volkswagen Group and the still young T7, is taking a significantly larger step into the future. Not only does it offer a lot of flexible space, but its functions can be controlled not only via a touchscreen, but also via a tablet in the cabinet of the C-pillar. Even if Volkswagen is currently still reluctant to give details about the drive, in addition to the diesel engine, which is still only available as a front-wheel drive, the plug-in variant should soon follow, which can be combined with an overdue all-wheel drive module if desired. For the first time, the new T7 California also has two sliding doors on the left and right and a particularly practical kitchen solution. The near-series study is equipped with an articulated arm awning on one side and a sun sail on the other. This means that both sides of the vehicle can be protected from precipitation or the sun.
Behind the two open sliding doors, the T7 California Concept offers a completely redesigned interior that shouldn’t differ much from the later production version. The swiveling front seats allow four people to sit flexibly facing each other with or without an inside table. In contrast to the previous VW T6.1, lighter single seats are installed in the study, which can be removed in a few simple steps. Thanks to the variable seat construction, larger items such as bicycles and surfboards can be transported inside the cabin more easily than before. In addition to the 230-volt induction cooktop, the new California offers an integrated gas cooker of the kind known from previous generations. A 230 volt socket on the outside of the kitchen provides energy and the outside folding table enlarges the living area on the pitch. Practical: the kitchen drawers can be reached from outside and inside. A new feature is a compact grill that can be stowed away in the kitchen block and easily removed from the outside. Similar to the Crafter-based Grand California, the refrigerator, which can also be accessed from the outside, offers ergonomic advantages.
There is additional space in kitchen cupboards and a separate storage area under the bed extension. In the dark, all-round and dimmable ambient lighting provides a pleasant light inside. The pop-up roof offers both a view and ventilation through the windows, while the occupants enjoy the roof bed with spring plates. For the first time, night owls in the California will also be happy about USB-C sockets and LED lamps in the sleeping compartment. So can next summer, because the new VW T7 California is likely to celebrate its premiere next year’s camping season – with different drive concepts.
