Step inside the VW Grand California 600 & 680; which have to be the best we’ve seen in their class, and at a start price of €55,000 for the 600 it’s keenly targeted to make waves in its category.

The medium (600) and long wheel base (680) both have four passenger seats; however we are coming to terms with the capacity to take a large family on a road trip in this new camper, which is something many in this size struggle to deal with, but Volkswagen have at least made an attempt to include the children.

In the 600 you only get a sideways 195cm bed length, which may be a  bit tight for many of you. However, extra room has been achieved with some cunningly created space – look closer at the window design in the gallery below and you can see how they have extended the bed width.

The optional children’s bed in the roof is much shorter at only 165cm –  meaning the kids may eventually grow out of it and be forced to sleep in a tent outside, but the 680 has a wonderfully large lengthways bed 200cm x 170cm – but alas, despite being bigger, the option of a second bed is not available so this is strictly a two-berth. 

The kitchen, as you might expect, has a twin hob and sink unit with a 110 litre water tank and two 11kg gas bottles that run the cooker, heating and yes, a hot water system! A spacious 70 litre fridge with ice compartment make it ideal for those long hot summer nights!

The interior build quality and design is fabulous and is absolutely going to be a huge hit with owners.

We are told more options may be added in the future, and we are convinced that further development will come. For example VW have reverted back to cloth curtains fitted with magnets for the front cab and we would like to have seen blinds to the front windscreen added in the same way as the T6 California. But what was a welcome addition to see mosquito screens to the door and kitchen in addition to the windows.

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.

A new control panel is also fitted to control and monitor water levels etc and ports for a Satellite dish and TV. A 104 watt (600) and 174 watt (680) solar panels help maintain the leisure battery and an inverter allows you to charge other devices such as laptops etc.

A couple of other options we like is the panoramic tilting sunroof (700 x 850 mm) and the option of a separate air-conditioning system when stationary.

As for the drive and comfort we’re told it is exceptional with automatic gearbox (not DSG) and optional 4×4 making it prepared for all terrains. Adaptive cruise and features we love in the California are all there with addition of 360 sensors and cameras that will make it a pleasure to drive and park. The wheels are 17 inch (same as the standard size on the 204ps T6 California) but due to the vehicle weight we are told there are currently no options for larger or more stylish alloy wheels which personally we would have liked to have seen.

The anticipated arrival of the VW Grand California to the UK will be Spring 2019, and in short we love what Volkswagen have achieved here. For some it’s going to offer excellent opportunities to travel and explore in a new level of comfort.

We cannot wait to try one out next year – but it is a shame a family of five won’t all be able to enjoy the experience just yet, meaning it’s back to the T6 California Beach for them!

Both the 600 and 680 are on show on the Volkswagen stand at the Caravan Salon Düsseldorf until the 2nd September 2018.

Volkswagen have finally unveiled the production model of their long awaited Crafter based camper, now to be known as the Grand California rather than the XXL as previously anticipated.

At six meters long and boasting all the refinements of the standard California, with heaps of extra space and no popup roof, the Grand California promises to be a showstopper when revealed at the Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf later this month. Along with the new name, there’s also some information on the specifications, which include a fold out electric step to aid access, a bluetooth speaker system and skylights above the sleeping area. As with the regular California, the cab seats spin round to face a seating area, with a side-mounted table allowing four people to dine in style. Unlike the Transporter based Cali however, the side mounted kitchen runs across the sliding door, allowing just enough space to climb in and out comfortably. There you will find a sink, a two-burner gas hob along with a large 70 litre fridge. A major advantage over the Transporter based California is the new washing area, with a built in toilet, fold-out basin, ventilated skylight and a shower! There are two main sleeping compartments. The rear area contains a sideways mounted double bed, and you also get the option to add a high-mounted double bed to be situated above the cab.

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  California Side by Side

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  The Grand California

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  The Grand California

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  Dining in the Grand California

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  Bedroom Refinements

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  A space for more

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  California Hob and Sink

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  Plenty of Storage

With other options that include 4Motion four-wheel drive, a side awning, bike rack and the usual collection of driver aids such as autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, park assist, adaptive cruise and rear-view cameras, the Volkswagen Grand California has some of the best refinements of its class. Also worth noting is the solar panels on the roof, a wifi router and an integrated satellite dish! Volkswagen has yet to reveal the engine choices that will be available the Grand California, and further details, along with the price, will be announced at the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon, which takes place from August 25th to September 2nd, with the first deliveries likely to happen early next year.