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.

California, or: Don’t Call this New VW Camper a Westy

Hey, all you Wetsfalia fans. Come and meet the all-new Volkswagen California! This newly revised T6 VW camper was recently released in the UK market as an update to the “old” T5. And, while it may look an awful lot like the outgoing “T5″ Transporter, there are plenty of improvements under the skin that make the new T6 worth a look.

As is often the case with 21st-century updates biggest changes to the VW camper vans comes under the hood and in the dash. Under the hood, the California sports a new, Euro-6 level emissions compliant diesel engine that develops 148 hp. That’s 10 more hp than the outgoing T5 model, but the T6 gets 44.1 MPG, as opposed to the T5’s 39.2 mpg rating. Inside, the T6 gets new interior surfaces and a more slickly appointed “premium” cabin that AutoExpress UK claims produces “a significant upward ambiance shift, dotted with glossy surfaces and soft-closing compartments.”

So, yeah. Nicer is better.

You can find out more about the new for 2015 Volkswagen California (aka VW camper van) by heading over to AutoExpress for their full review of the not-a-Westfalia and high-resolution photo gallery. I’ve included a few of my favorite shots, below, and would love to hear what you have to say about the latest boxy VW in the comments, below. As for pricing and availability, stateside? Don’t hold your breath for a new-age Bus.

2015 VW Camper Van Gallery

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  Glass-top Kitchen

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