Earlier this year Volkswagen debuted the facelifted
Transporter 6.1 lineup, including the Multivan people carrier. The next member of the T6 family
to be released is the facelifted California, and these two official sketches
provide a first taste of what we should expect from the revised camper van.
On the outside, it looks like the California 6.1
will adopt the same design updates as the Multivan 6.1 on which it is based.
Changes include a new, bigger grille, new headlights and a new front bumper
featuring revised fog lights and a chunky black trim that spans the entire
width of the bumper.
More interesting modifications are taking place
inside. The living and sleeping areas of the California 6.1 have been enhanced
and optimized, while the multifunctional camper control unit in the roof
console has been redesigned and digitalized. As with the Multivan, the
dashboard has been overhauled with new instruments (available as a Digital
Cockpit for the first time) and a new online infotainment systems that offer
integrated eSIM enabling access to mobile online services.
The facelifted VW California switches to
electromechanical power steering as well, allowing for the adoption of new
assistance systems like Lane Assist, Side Protection, Trailer Assist and
side-wind compensation.
The California 6.1 will launch with a 2.0-liter TDI
with outputs of up to 199 PS. The world premiere of the
refreshed camper van will take place in late August at the Caravan-Salon in
Düsseldorf, Germany. VW sold more than 18,000 California camper vans in 2018, making it
the best-selling model in its class – and sure hopes that its replacement will
enjoy the same success.
