Volkswagen California
High-spec new Edition version of camper pitches up
HOME is where you park it. As our American road trip feature (Issue 1,523) revealed, the California name has been a fixture in the VW range since 1988; and it’s as popular now as it was back then.
The latest addition to the lineup is this Edition model. Just 80 will come to the UK, and there is a choice of Beach or kitchenequipped Ocean variants. Prices start from £52,985.
We’re testing the rangetopping Ocean Edition. It gets all the usual luxuries, including a gas hob, sink and refrigerator, as well as an electrically operated pop-up roof, sixinch touchscreen and threezone climate control.
The new Edition version adds gloss black details, tinted lights and windows, plus unique decals. The 17-inch wheels are exclusive to this model.
As usual, the California will sleep four at a push – two in the roof and two in the lower cabin. But thanks to a variety of genius storage solutions, all the kit you need can be hidden out of sight. There’s a table in the door, and you’ll find a pair of chairs zipped away in the tailgate.
The driving position is high but comfy and it drives well, too. Our test model’s diesel engine has plenty of grunt, and the slick DSG auto means all that performance is accessed via a simple flick of the foot.
But whether the Edition represents decent value will come down to whether you want all those trinkets. While no Cali is cheap to buy, this Edition is a seriously expensive campervan. Residual values are strong, but you could pay for a lot of great trips with the £6,500 premium over regular versions.