California XXL Concept specifications revealed
To coincide with its public début at the Caravan Salon show in Düsseldorf, Volkswagen has disclosed lots more information about the intriguing California XXL Concept. As previously confirmed, this new camper van is based on a medium-wheelbase Crafter.
Numerous innovations have been used by Volkswagen to try to differentiate the California XXL from the myriad Citroën Relay / Fiat Ducato / Peugeot Boxer conversions that currently dominate the large camper market.
The most obvious of these is a huge bespoke high top which protrudes over the windscreen and merges into a back-end extension.
While not especially elegant, the rear appendage gives the extra volume needed to accommodate a longitudinally-mounted double bed measuring 2.00 m (6’ 6”) long by 1.70 m (5’ 6”) wide. A spring-plate mattress (plus electric heating and ventilation) should ensure a good night's rest.
One potential downside is the lack of conventional cargo doors. Instead, a lift-up tailgate allows access to an under-bed storage space.
Unusually, the roof incorporates an enormous panoramic glass panel. Of course, letting natural light flood in is great for creating an airy ambience, but causing a greenhouse effect in hotter climates is certainly a risk. Incidentally, interior standing height is 2.20 m (7’ 2”), so stooping won't be necessary.
Above the cab is what Volkswagen calls an alcove. Essentially, it's a children's bunk measuring 1.72 m (5’ 7”) long by 1.32 m (4’ 4”) wide. If somebody taller wants to sleep upstairs, then an additional section increases the length on one side to 2.00 m (6’ 6”).
Another novel feature is the retractable wet room containing a lavatory, a foldaway sink and a shower. When required, the compartment's floor area doubles from 600 mm x 600 mm (23.6” x 23.6”) to 1,200 mm x 600 mm (47.2” x 23.6”) by sliding the inner wall across the central aisle. Hot water is generated by a gas-fired boiler.
More traditional design elements include the kitchen. Cooking facilities are limited to a two-burner gas hob, yet strangely two 50-litre capacity fridges are fitted. Also fairly commonplace are the rotating cab seats and offset rear travel seats that together form a dinette arrangement.
Underfloor heating should keep the interior warm all year round and, usefully, there's an on-board 37-litre gas tank. The fresh water and waste water tanks can hold 140 and 90 litres respectively.
Power comes from a 175 bhp (130 kW / 177 PS) turbocharged diesel engine and the California XXL Concept boasts 4Motion all-wheel drive. Completing the extensive equipment list is pneumatic suspension which provides enhanced ride comfort and, if parked on an uneven camp site, a self-levelling facility.
Expect an announcement about a production version imminently. Whether or not the rather impractical glazed ceiling survives remains to be seen, although many prospective customers might prefer a solar energy system anyway.
Related posts:
California XXL camper van concept first view
Knaus Crafter-based camper van concept
2017 Volkswagen Crafter revealed
2016 Volkswagen California T6 launched
Numerous innovations have been used by Volkswagen to try to differentiate the California XXL from the myriad Citroën Relay / Fiat Ducato / Peugeot Boxer conversions that currently dominate the large camper market.
The most obvious of these is a huge bespoke high top which protrudes over the windscreen and merges into a back-end extension.
While not especially elegant, the rear appendage gives the extra volume needed to accommodate a longitudinally-mounted double bed measuring 2.00 m (6’ 6”) long by 1.70 m (5’ 6”) wide. A spring-plate mattress (plus electric heating and ventilation) should ensure a good night's rest.
One potential downside is the lack of conventional cargo doors. Instead, a lift-up tailgate allows access to an under-bed storage space.
Unusually, the roof incorporates an enormous panoramic glass panel. Of course, letting natural light flood in is great for creating an airy ambience, but causing a greenhouse effect in hotter climates is certainly a risk. Incidentally, interior standing height is 2.20 m (7’ 2”), so stooping won't be necessary.
Above the cab is what Volkswagen calls an alcove. Essentially, it's a children's bunk measuring 1.72 m (5’ 7”) long by 1.32 m (4’ 4”) wide. If somebody taller wants to sleep upstairs, then an additional section increases the length on one side to 2.00 m (6’ 6”).
Another novel feature is the retractable wet room containing a lavatory, a foldaway sink and a shower. When required, the compartment's floor area doubles from 600 mm x 600 mm (23.6” x 23.6”) to 1,200 mm x 600 mm (47.2” x 23.6”) by sliding the inner wall across the central aisle. Hot water is generated by a gas-fired boiler.
More traditional design elements include the kitchen. Cooking facilities are limited to a two-burner gas hob, yet strangely two 50-litre capacity fridges are fitted. Also fairly commonplace are the rotating cab seats and offset rear travel seats that together form a dinette arrangement.
Underfloor heating should keep the interior warm all year round and, usefully, there's an on-board 37-litre gas tank. The fresh water and waste water tanks can hold 140 and 90 litres respectively.
Power comes from a 175 bhp (130 kW / 177 PS) turbocharged diesel engine and the California XXL Concept boasts 4Motion all-wheel drive. Completing the extensive equipment list is pneumatic suspension which provides enhanced ride comfort and, if parked on an uneven camp site, a self-levelling facility.
Expect an announcement about a production version imminently. Whether or not the rather impractical glazed ceiling survives remains to be seen, although many prospective customers might prefer a solar energy system anyway.
Related posts:
California XXL camper van concept first view
Knaus Crafter-based camper van concept
2017 Volkswagen Crafter revealed
2016 Volkswagen California T6 launched
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