The Volkswagen Grand California, elevated to another level
Itinerant tourism has long been living one of its best moments. Whether by motorhome or camper, tourists are getting a taste for visiting new places by moving himself from one place to another with the house on his back. Specifically, the boom of the camper segment has become a reaffirmed trend in the Spanish market and car manufacturers have already launched to conquer the customer. While this mode of road travel has always been more associated with young and adventurous people, the truth is lately a more adult public has joined the taste for this type of vehicles. In fact, according to recent data from the camper van rental platform in Europe Indie Campers, 21.4% of their reservations are already made by tourists over 45 years of age.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, which knows that the sector is booming, has set out to fulfill the dream of its most adventurous customers by launching the new Grand California, a modern camper, with an unmistakable design closely associated with the traveler's DNA of the brand. The Crafter's base gives the Grand California a much larger size and, as a result, more comfort for life on board. In addition, according to the needs of the buyer, Volkswagen offers two versions designed for different purposes. On the one hand, the Grand California 600, with a length of 6 metres. On the other hand, the Grand California 680, with an additional 80 centimetres of wheelbase, providing additional storage space.
The vehicle incorporates a completely independent bathroom with toilet, shower, washbasin with lifting lid, several shelves, a cupboard with light and a shower tray with two drains. Its large tank can hold up to 110 litres of water for both the bathroom and the kitchen. It also incorporates a wastewater tank with a capacity of 90 litres, which gives it an autonomy of up to four full days.
The Grand California features an efficient 130 kW/177PS four-cylinder 2.0 TDI engine, offering a maximum torque of 410 Nm, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive or optional 4MOTION with differential lock to be offered later.
The model is available in 600 and 680 versions. The first is more than six metres long and is offered with an optional extra bed under the high roof, while the second has 80 cm more wheelbase and a larger sleeping area at the rear.
The design of the vehicle, inherited from the Bulli, is designed to optimise space and layout to make your stay more pleasant and practical, combining modern, elegant and luminous elements.
The Air Care Climatronic is fitted as standard and offers an optional roof-mounted air conditioning system as well as a system of solar panels that make the vehicle self-sufficient, thanks to the installation of solar cells on the roof.
While driving this model, a light and airy atmosphere is created by the camper folding windows and 700 x 600 mm skylights above the dining area and double bed, which provide a great deal of light.
The new Grand California includes swivel front seats, a table with room for four people to eat, a 70-litre refrigerator with freezer, six USB ports and four 320V plugs, where any device can be charged.
Through an operating panel, the user controls the levels of drinking water and wastewater, the level of additional battery charge, the status of the Wi-Fi connection, heating, air conditioning, the infotainment system and interior lighting and the drive access step.
The vehicle has three infotainment systems, including the telephone interface, Media Control and App-Connect, to connect smartphones or integrate previously planned routes.
It also offers online mobile services such as Car-Net Guide & Inform, Car-Net Security & Service and the online fleet management system Connect Fleet. In addition, it is possible to install a parabolic antenna and Wi-Fi to extend the infotainment functions.
The Grand California offers state-of-the-art standard driver assistance systems such as Cross Wind Assist, Hill Start Control and Front Assist with City Emergency Brake.
In addition, as an option, the customer can add assistants such as the Lane Assist, the Lane Change Assistant with Dead Angle Detector, which includes Rear Traffic Alert, sensor activated side protection, automatic Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Rear View camera for reversing and Towing Assistant.
The new Grand California 600 is now available for sale at a price of 72,520 euros, while the 680 is sold for 74,950 euros. Both will arrive at the end of 2019.
