The VW California

The Forthcoming T6 California Brochure is out!

Following on from our earlier article about the release of the new Volkswagen T6, we now have some information on the forthcoming California Range…

While we are still awaiting the specifications for the UK market, we managed to grab a brochure from VW in Germany that you can download HERE.

Please bear in mind that this may not be the same as any forthcoming UK models, and as such we are unsure whether the Whitewood interior of the new ‘California Coast’ or the Darkwood finish of the ‘California Ocean’ will be available in this country. As soon as we have more info we’ll be sure to let you know.

The same also applies for other features and engine specifications – as soon as Volkswagen have released the full UK spec we will be sure to announce it here!

The following is a very rough transliteration from the German Website – not being German speakers, we’ve attempted this with a mixture of Google Translate and previously obtained information from the official T6 press release we received last month.

New Design

New Design The new California promises to create a great impression from every angle because the new, sharpened design provides even the most impressive vision, even in the shade. With new headlamps and rear lights with optional high-efficiency LEDs. Making every journey a brilliant experience.

Latest engines with low fuel consumption

New TDI engines

T6 Engine The latest generation of engines offer particularly low fuel consumption. Thus, a lower average fuel consumption of 6.3 l / 100 km¹ / ² with average emissions of 164 g CO₂- / km¹ / ² possible. It goes without saying that the new TDI engines follow the Euro 6 emissions standard. Other engines will employ this at a later date.

California, 2.0 l TDI engine with 62 kW, fuel consumption in l / 100 km: 7.5 urban, extra-urban 5.6, combined 6.3. CO₂ emissions in g / km: combined 164; Efficiency class: A.
California, 2.0 l TDI engine with 75 kW, fuel consumption in l / 100 km: 7.5 urban, extra-urban 5.6, combined 6.3. CO₂ emissions in g / km: combined 164; Efficiency class: A.

BlueMotion Technology

BlueMotion Technology is standard on all the new generation of TDI engines with the Euro 6 emissions standard. The equipment includes: start-stop system, brake energy regeneration and low rolling resistance tyres.

DCC Adaptive Chassis Control

To improve the driving characteristics the optional chassis control can be combined with Dynamic Cruise Control by selecting NORMAL, COMFORT or SPORT modes.

Welcome to the Hotel California

The new cockpit

VW T6 Dashboard

The new high quality interior has plenty to offer. The button layout on the optional multifunction steering wheel leather allows you to easily operate the new radio or navigation system with intuitive touchscreen display.

New “infotainment” systems

Particularly innovative are the new infotainment systems: With Car-Net App Connect, selected apps on your smartphone will be mirrored on the screen of the radio system.

Special comfort features also offer numerous online mobile services of Car-Net Guide. The new Volkswagen Media Control enables your smartphone or tablet to work as a remote control for the radio or navigation system.

The new system amplifies communication between your companions in the passenger compartment. And the new mobile phone interface has your smartphone always offers crystal clear reception.

The new interior

From the cockpit you have unrestricted walkthrough access to the living area. The seats with armrests on both sides can be turned by up to 180 degrees for a face-to-face position in friendly company.

The fully functional kitchenette

Holidaying in the great outdoors makes you hungry – so all the more practical when you can quickly conjure up something delicious on the go. In the new California a fully functional kitchenette is designed for special comfort.

The new bedroom

Seats Down When night falls, you can transform the new California in just a few simple steps to a bedroom with up to four beds: two in the “downstairs” on the folded bench seat and two more in the “upstairs” in the pop up roof bed with slatted frame bed with foam padding.

Safety and Assistance Systems

Brake Assist

The standard Brake Assist detects how fast the brake pedal is depressed. The case of reflex or emergency braking the full brake pressure is built up more quickly.

Multi-collision brake

The standard multi-collision brake guides the braking operation to ideally prevent collisions. It becomes active when two independent sensors detect an accident. After a short delay, the vehicle is braked intermittently to 10 km / h, the driver can at any time take control and override this.

ACC Automatic Distance Control

The optional cruise control automatically adjusts the speed of the preceding vehicle while keeping the distance set by the driver.

By means of a radar system, the optional environment observation system “Front Assist” with “City Emergency Braking” identifies critical distance situations and helps to shorten the stopping distance. It warns the driver in dangerous situations detected optically and acoustically and with a brake pressure.

Lane change assistant “Side Assist”

This optional system uses sensors to warn about vehicles detected in blind spots for safer lane changing.

Rear view camera

The optional rear view camera makes parking easier by displaying a picture of the area behind the vehicle on the display of the radio or navigation system. Additional static guides support the parking operation.

Park Pilot

The Park Pilot warns when parking acoustically identified obstacles in front and behind and shows the distance to the obstacle visually on the display.

Fatigue detection

Using visual and acoustic signals, this system detects discrepancies in the driving style and recommends the driver stops for a break.

Fog lamps with integrated cornering

Helps ease fears in bad weather and ensures optimum visibility when steering on a curved road.

This information was retrieved from the German Volkswagen website and as such is copyright Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles 2015.

Time for the T6?

The end of the T5? The new VW California T6 & Euro 6 Compliant TDi Engine

We have received a lot of messages for info about the forthcoming T6, so in the absence of any official release from VW we thought we’d share with you what we have gleaned so far – from the latest rumours and from the folks in the know.

In short the new T6 will be about “evolution, not revolution” and so many things will remain the same for this tried and tested chassis. The base vehicle and chassis is expected to be the same as current Transporter T5, but the T6 will come with a large number of modifications the most striking of which will be a facelift.

The body will benefit from entirely new front with improved wind resistance, new lights and bumpers and side windows to the rear.

The interior is expected to benefit from a completely new dashboard, upgraded and more comfortable seats and of course the very latest options for on-board infotainment.

The biggest change will come in the new Euro 6 compliant engine which all manufacturers have to introduce in to their diesel derivatives by September 2015, offering improvements to fuel efficiency and environmental emissions.

However there is suggestion that manufactures may be given a grace period to January 2016 to comply with Euro 6 legislation. For us Cali buyers we can expect increased power up to 230ps and improved fuel efficiency by some 15%.

But the biggest change will be addition of Blue, an additive that has to be topped up at the fuel station, when required. This will consist of an on-board 15 litre tank that once filled up will be good for approximately 8,000 miles before needing topping up again. So what happens if you run out of blue, well the engine management system will reduce the power and you’ll be put in limp mode until you get to a fuel station and get topped up.

Many stations are now advertising Blue in the forecourts so don’t panic everyone’s in the same boat. The addition of Blue is nothing new and was first brought out in the earlier VW Crafter engines and HGV/haulage companies also use it. The purpose of this additive is to improve air quality by reducing the harmful diesel emissions.

See here on VWCV’s website for details: https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/about-us/brand-news/2009/200905-latest-blue-crafter-vans-demonstrate-green-credentials

As for the price, we still have no details but you can bet it’s going to cost more and as such residual values on older models will remain buoyant as demand increases during the changeover. So what might we expect next? Well there should be an initial launch in the Spring 2015; dealers have been told to prepare for a June event which could mean an unveiling.

However it is anticipated that the first VW California campers will not be available until September 2015 and if that’s the case then for the UK it’s more likely to be early 2016.

The excitement is palpable as dealers and buyers ready themselves to secure orders of the current model before the changeover. So if your want a Cali for Summer then best get your order in now as an announcement has already gone out to secure orders by the 27th February 2015 to ensure supply in time for the season.

It will make for an interesting six months in the height of the buying season as dealers get to grips with supply and demand! Current production times for a California have recently increased to 19 weeks. To search for your nearest VW California specialist dealer check out the dealer map here and don’t forget to read our new online buyers guide.

So that’s about all we’ve heard other than a completely new Volkswagen Transporter T7 isn’t anticipated until 2020. So our advice is grab a Cali now while you can as the T6 is still some way off the forecourts.