New VW Camper Set to Launch Next Month

Look at those pictures. Take them all in. That van may not carry the Westfalia badge, but when the 2018 Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf rolls around on August 24th and Volkswagen reveals the production version of its all-new California XXL camper? There will be no doubt: the VW Camper Van is back!

Most recently, it has been Ford and Mercedes-based vans that wear the storied Westy name. That name, however, was made famous by VW- not the other way around. This latest VW camper, then, has some wrongs to right– and the company that brough you the original “Bulli” camper van in the 1960s hopes this new van will become just as iconic as its famous ancestor.

At nearly 6 meters long, the upcoming VW California XXL is a monster. As a result, there’s a lot more to the California XXL than just room for a folding or two. The XXL has heating elements built into the floor, climate-controlled mattresses that offer heating and cooling, a retractable wet-room shower, a chemical toilet, a full kitchen with counter top, sink, and fridges, plus a dedicated living and dining area. And, of course, most of the technology and on-board entertainment can be controlled through an app.

Under its ample skin, the Volkswagen California XXL is expected to feature a 2.0 liter version of the VW Crafter van’s diesel engine, pretty much ensuring that we won’t be seeing one in the US. Which is too bad, because the new VW camper also gets 4MOTION four-wheel drive and a pneumatic suspension that can be raised or lowered to put the XXL level on a campsite without the use of jacks. If you’ve ever spent a lot of time in an RV, you already know how slick that is.

What do you guys think of the reborn VW camper? Wouldn’t you love to take a California out to– California, on a long road trip? End up parking it somewhere outside of Napa Valley and enjoying the scenery for a few days? I would, but I’m not you. Let me know what you’d do with the California XXL in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Source | Images: Volkswagen, via Autoexpress UK.