Free Health Check for California Owners!

Free Health Check for California Owners!

Fantastic News for all California Owners! Volkswagen have just announced free health checks for your campers — just in time for an Easter adventure!

This amazing offer is running from now until Thursday the 18th April 2019 and promises to offer peace of mind before you motor off on your Spring Holliday!

With less than two per cent of campers heading away over the winter months, lots of campervans and motorhomes are left unused – as such, Volkswagen is urging motorists not to leave it until Easter weekend to get their campervans checked over.

The 29-point check involves inpsecting the tyres, wipers, lights and battery, along with a handful of other visual checks. Identifying any potential maintenance issues which might otherwise leave customers stranded over the Easter break.

This health check is based on the standard electronic vehicle health check (EVHC) and must be booked in by 18 April 2019. The offer does not include any work or parts that are identified as necessary following the health check.

If you want to take advantage of this offer, then please contact your local van centre to make an appointment.

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Why not in California?

Why not in California?

Despite its name, the Volkswagen California is sold throughout Europe but not in the U.S —  so why can’t you buy a California in California?

It’s a question we’ve been asked hundreds of times, and the answer is simply one of economics.

It’s now 30 years since Volkswagen firstly produce the California conversion of its Transporter range of panel vans.

It was developed jointly with camping conversion specialist Westfalia, initially based on the T3 / T25 Transporter. The T4 version followed in August 1990 and marked the change from a rear to front engine and front-wheel drive layout. This freed space at the back for the camping accoutrements and completely changed the campervan experience for many people.

We’re now in the 4the generation of Volkswagen California conversions, now based on the modern T6 Transporter and no longer produced by Westfalia after Volkswagen took over their Hanover production plant.

This year, as part of the 30 year anniversary, Volkswagen took a few of these iconic vehicles over to California, which gave us the opportunity to really explore the situation behind their unavailability in the USA.

Economics

Quite simply, if the California were to be made available in the USA it would cost upwards of $100,000, and that’s a of of money even if it is an exclusive brand. There is also the problem of cost. With the current exchange rates it would potentially hit the street at about $110,000 and with talk of big tariffs on imported cars, it could even go up, and that is a real shame.

Safety

Apparently they have not been through the American safety tests, although they do meet European standards – that doesn’t mean they are unsafe, it just means there would be a lot more testing to be done.

 

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The Grand California UK Debut

The Grand California UK Debut

PRESS RELEASE

The eagerly-awaited Volkswagen Grand California will make its UK debut at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at the NEC in Birmingham from 19-24 February 2019 – and award winning hire company CamperVanTastic will be the first to have them for hire this coming spring!

We were fortunate enough to cover the launch of the Crafter-based campervan when it made its world debut at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon in August and it is now due to go on sale in the UK from mid-2019.

As we stated in our original article the Grand California retains many of the strengths of the original Transporter-based California which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year.

The Grand California’s appeal is extended by the addition of extra space, and a bathroom with toilet, shower, a fold-out wash basin, shelves, cupboards and a skylight for ventilation.

Two different versions will be available: the ‘680’ and the ‘600’, which not only has a large sleeping area at the rear but also a high bunk bed for children. An electrically powered step, which moves out in front of the sliding door, makes getting in and out easier, while a two-part mosquito net in the door is likewise part of the standard specification.

One innovative feature is the option to control the loudspeakers in the living area via Bluetooth. This makes it possible to listen to music independently of the infotainment system using a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Also available are details such as an additional roof-mounted air conditioning unit at the back, an awning, a rear bicycle rack and a camping table and chairs (which can be stowed in the wing doors).

The standard gas heating can be expanded as a heating system to run on gas- or diesel-generated electric power. There will also be a solar panel system mounted on the roof, a satellite dish (for TV reception) and an LTE/WiFi hotspot (router).

In addition, the Grand California will be available with the Crafter’s driver assistance and infotainment systems.

The driver assistance systems include the Front Assist surroundings monitoring system with City Emergency Braking function, Lane Assist to help the driver stay in lane, Blind Spot Monitor for changing lane, Rear Traffic Alert for reversing out of parking spaces and Park Assist for steering into them, the sensor-controlled side protection system, Adaptive Cruise Control and a Rear View reversing camera.

The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome show is the UK’s biggest showcase of motorhomes, campervans, caravans, caravan holiday homes and lodges, as well as tents of all sizes in the new-for-2019 Camping Zone, trailer tents, folding caravans and holiday accessories. As well as seeing new products, visitors can expect to come away with great ideas, inspiration, and advice on where to go and what to do on their next adventure.

There are also ample activities to do at the show, whatever your interests, from a new Bear Grylls Adventure, through campsite cookery demonstrations to the ever-popular Top Dog Arena.

If you want to learn more about the Grand California, then our recommendation is to check out CamperVanTastic in London who will have them from hire in spring 2020.

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The Ultimate Christmas Camper

The Ultimate Christmas Camper

Check out this cool video from our friends at “Bus and Beyond“; I don’t think you can get a more Christmassy campervan than this.

That’s right they really did fit 2,800 Christmas lights to the outside of their Volkswagen California Ocean, and then took it to London to steal the show!

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California Dreaming – in London!

California Dreaming – in London!

If you’re in London anytime soon, then you may want to check out this amazing ‘Thirty Years of Adventure’ Volkswagen California mural on London’s Clerkenwell Road.

The mural, produced by artist Jo Hicks, features the original T3 Volkswagen California and current T6 California ’30 Years’ edition and is surrounded by some of the classic symbols of the great British holiday.

It is currently on display until the end of November on a feature wall by 12 Clerkenwell Road, EC1.

The legendary Volkswagen California was first released in 1988 and since then has been the symbol of individual freedom, unforgettable holidays and pure adventure. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has also produced a limited run of 999 unique ‘California 30 Years‘ models with just 30 destined for the UK.

Sarah Cox, head of marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “The Volkswagen California is one of the most iconic models on the road and has been the campervan of choice for so many families holidaying in the UK over the past 30 years. As well as our limited edition model, we’re marking the anniversary with our unique travel guide so owners can get the most out of their holidays and explore some of the nation’s hidden gems.

“The mural is an outstanding piece of artwork which really encapsulates everything the Volkswagen California is about and is the ideal way to mark a very special birthday.”

Click below to see a video the mural being painted.

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The Limited Edition California 30 Years

The Limited Edition California 30 Years

The Volkswagen California has been delivering the spirit of motoring adventure for 30 incredible years – providing owners with the perfect home from home when venturing off the beaten track. To celebrate three decades as the benchmark camper van, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has introduced the most exclusive California to date.

The California 30 Years is a limited production run special with just 999 scheduled for build. Of these, just 30 examples will come to the UK, making it an instant collector’s item for those fortunate enough to secure an order.

In keeping with California tradition, the California 30 Years offers owners five-star luxury in every area. Based on the acclaimed range-topping California Ocean model, the 30 Years special adds a host of additional equipment, along with bespoke design details.

All examples come with a numbered plaque on the B pillar, full LED headlamps, removable towbar and a contrast roof and wing mirrors finished in either Reflex Silver or Indium Grey metallic. Customers can also select a brand new colour – Turmeric Yellow – which is available for the first time on the California range.

Inside, buyers benefit from Volkswagen’s intuitive Discover Media Navigation Pro infotainment system as standard, along with front and rear parking sensors, side scan and cruise control and heated front seats. App-Connect – which allows owners to access and use music, mapping, and other apps on the dash from a compatible smartphone is also standard.

Customers will be able to choose between three different engine and drivetrain combinations: power outputs from the 2.0-litre TDI engine are either 150 or 199 PS, all have a seven-speed DSG gearbox as standard, and the range-topping 199 PS version is available with 4MOTION four wheel-drive.

With just 30 examples earmarked for the UK, the California 30 Years is the most exclusive special edition ever offered by Volkswagen. Prices start at £64,307 (OTR) for the 2.0 TDI 150 PS model and rise to £70,629 (OTR) for the range-topping 2.0 TDI 199 PS 4MOTION variant. As interest is expected to be extremely high, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Van Centres are urging potential buyers to secure their orders before the allocation is snapped up.

Since its introduction in 1988, the California has become the default choice for campervan owners, with more than 157,000 examples sold. And while the current California can trace its roots back to the late 1980s, Volkswagen has a camper van tradition that spans more than 60 years.

Four generations of the California have been built by Volkswagen since 1988, with each one delivering a step increase in comfort, features and refinement. Since 2004, all California have been built ‘in-house’ at Volkswagen’s advanced production facility in Limmer, Germany.

The current California T6 was launched in summer 2015 and has been a huge hit with buyers. Last year, a record 15,155 new Californias were delivered to happy, adventurous customers.

Please visit our featured dealerships map to find out more about ordering a Volkswagen California.

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