Automotive

Volkswagen adds size and smarts with new California XXL camper van concept

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Not only is the Crafter a larger base than the Transporter, but VW has extended out the body in back, making room for a longitudinally mounted bed and a bathroom
Volkswagen
The Volkswagen California XXL is based on a medium-wheelbase Crafter
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The VW California XXL has a 175-hp turbodiesel engine
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Volkswagen explores the idea of a larger California camper van
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Not only is the Crafter a larger base than the Transporter, but VW has extended out the body in back, making room for a longitudinally mounted bed and a bathroom
Volkswagen
The VW California XXL has more back than other VW campers not named "DoubleBack"
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With its child's alcove and flexible design, Volkswagen's California XXL Concept looks like a great camper for families
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The indoor/outdoor table and the camping chairs make for comfy outdoor dining
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We think Sir Mix-a-Lot would approve of the California XXL concept 
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Inside the driver's area
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Light fabric and materials throughout helps add brightness to the interior 
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California XXL Concept badging 
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California XXL Concept badging 
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The slide-out bathroom helps to maximize bathroom size without taking up too much permanent space
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The wall above the two-seat bench houses the command center tablet
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A 50L fridge under the stove and one above the main kitchen unit offer plenty of cooling space
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The kitchen includes two deployable worktop extensions for extra prep space
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The electrically retractable burners allow the stovetop to double as a worktop
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Kitchen window screen
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A compact espresso maker in the living area
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Upper cabinet space
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Storing clothes
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Under-sink trash can
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The alcove children's bed
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An extension lets the bed grow with the child
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The alcove is accessed via a folding ladder
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This peek through the panoramic roof shows the VW California XXL Concept in "day mode"
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Showing the camper van in "night mode" here, the panoramic roof design includes an opening skylight in the bathroom
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The California XXL app brings smart touchscreen control of entertainment, lighting and more
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A generous amount of ambient lighting keeps the Volkswagen California XXL illuminated at night 
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Tailgate area storage
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The wet bath sink folds down
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The sink folds up and out of the way for toilet access
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VW California XXL Concept hookups
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Volkswagen California XXL camper van concept
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Overview of the California XXL layout
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Inside the Volkswagen California XXL camper van concept
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The XXL's main bed is located in the rear
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At camp in the new Volkswagen California XXL camper van concept
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Now that we've read the full press release, this diagram makes more sense, showing the folding worktop/privacy divider, retractable burners, slide-out worktop and other features
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View gallery - 39 images

The Düsseldorf Caravan Salon kicks off today, and Volkswagen is using it to explore a potential Crafter-based camper van, a larger, smarter version of its popular California. The innovative California XXL Concept packs sleeping space for the family, a space-enhancing slide-out wet bath, a digital projection system, a full stargazer panoramic roof, and an all-conditions all-wheel-drive build below. If it gets the green light, this could very well be the next iconic Volkswagen camper van.

It's a good time for the many global fans of Volkswagen camper vans. Just days after confirmation that the timelessly iconic Kombi is finally making its grand comeback as an electric van, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles shows off another camper van possibility featuring a stylish design and modern solutions.

With the California XXL, Volkswagen explores how it could upsize the successful California, not simply by using the largest van in its lineup in place of the mid-size Transporter but also by incorporating folding, sliding and swiveling features to make the interior space feel even larger.

The XXL calls the 143-in (3,640-mm) wheelbase Crafter its foundation, and Volkswagen has opted for an extra-high fixed roof, which helps accommodate a two-child sleeping alcove above the front seats. The automaker has also extended the rear section of the van above the door handle line, creating a rear protrusion that looks a bit ungainly from the outside but creates a more spacious interior with a longitudinally mounted, 6.6 x 5.6-foot (2 x 1.7-m) rear bed for two adults. The full van measures 236 in (5,986 mm) from front to rear bumper and 246 in (6,238 mm) higher up, making us wonder why Volkswagen didn't just start with a longer version of the Crafter, like the 269-in (6,836-mm) long-wheelbase variant.

The XXL's main bed is located in the rear
Volkswagen

At night, the rear bed keeps its two occupants cozy with an electrical heating/cooling system that helps maintain a comfortable temperature, no matter the season. During the day, the bed can be transformed into a second seating area via a folding segment that also frees up indoor access to the storage compartment at the back of the van. A mobile device-fed digital projector in the cabinet above the bed plays movies and videos on the rear wall of the wet bath.

The van's roof stands 4 in (100 mm) higher than the "super high roof" Volkswagen offers on the Crafter panel van, providing a full 7.2 feet (2.2 m) of headroom inside. The stretched, 146-mm (3,700-mm) panoramic roof construction helps flood the interior with natural light, an effect furthered by the white camping furniture, light upholstery and marine-inspired striped cork flooring. When the sun goes down, the ambient lighting array keeps the cabin filled with soft, gentle light, and the panoramic roof serves up views of the stars.

This peek through the panoramic roof shows the VW California XXL Concept in "day mode"
Volkswagen

The highlight of the Crafter interior is its expandable wet bath. The Transporter-based production California does not include a bathroom, but the added size of this extended Crafter van inspired Volkswagen to install one. But, though the Crafter is larger, space still comes at a premium, so Volkswagen makes the most of that space with a slide-out compartment that doubles the square footage of the wet bath from 3.9 square feet (3,600 sq cm) to 7.8 square feet (7,200 sq cm) before sliding away to clear the kitchen floor and walkway.

The retractable front of the bathroom pulls back to the kitchen unit via a simple handle, providing access to the full-size toilet and shower inside. The pull-out structure includes a separate wet-room floor with shower tray (so you're not showering on the kitchen floor), and the kitchen floor slides under the kitchen block when the bathroom is pulled out. The deployed bathroom also serves as a privacy divider wall between the rear bed and front living area and alcove and works as the projector screen for the rear bedroom area.

The bathroom includes a fold-away sink above the full-size toilet that flips up and disappears behind a swiveling illuminated mirror when not in use. The sink drain automatically closes off in this configuration. The sink's pull-out sprayer serves as both faucet and supplementary shower head to assist the ceiling-mounted rain shower.

The slide-out bathroom helps to maximize bathroom size without taking up too much permanent space
Volkswagen

The kitchen across from the bathroom also features innovative retractable features. A unique iteration of a typical dual-burner stove, Volkswagen's design features X-shaped burners that raise up for cooking and electrically lower into the aluminum stove structure, creating a flush countertop that accommodates the included cutting board. This solution serves the same purpose as a glass stove lid, albeit in a sleeker form.

When more worktop is needed, a pull-out panel to the left and fold-down panel to the right quickly grow the amount of counter space. When left in upright position, the fold-down countertop section at the right extends the privacy division of the slide-out bathroom to the side van wall.

The electrically retractable burners allow the stovetop to double as a worktop
Volkswagen

The kitchen also includes a dual-refrigerator set-up, with one 50L refrigerator below the stove and one 50L fridge-freezer located up above the kitchen block. Cabinets, a garbage can, drawers and a magnetic spice rack fill out the kitchen design.

The living area is probably the California XXL's simplest, most classic design, partnering a dual-seat rear bench with the swivel front seats and a table. The table can be removed and attached to the outside of the van, used with the folding chairs that store in the rear cargo area. The one standout feature in the living area is the espresso machine built into the overhead cabinet.

A generous amount of ambient lighting keeps the Volkswagen California XXL illuminated at night 
Volkswagen

Being a concept camper van, the California XXL doesn't bring with it the long scroll of specs, features and options that accompany the typical production camper, but Volkswagen is clear that the van has underfloor heating for fast, reliable warmth and year-round camping comfort. The electrical system includes nine 220V outlets and six USB outlets for seamless powering of appliances and electronics and charging of devices. A living area-mounted tablet running the "California XXL App" provides intuitive control and monitoring of onboard systems like lighting and entertainment.

Other inclusions of note include a dirty shoe compartment just inside the sliding door entry and a stored BBQ grill.

The California XXL is powered by a 175-hp turbodiesel engine. The 4-Matic all-wheel drive ensures all-weather, all-terrain traction, and a custom air suspension system improves ride comfort and makes for easy leveling at camp.

The Volkswagen California XXL is based on a medium-wheelbase Crafter
Volkswagen

Volkswagen doesn't mention any plans of bringing a California XXL to market, but it seems likely to draw plenty of attention and praise in Düsseldorf, so perhaps the folks at Volks will give it some hard thought. We wouldn't expect a production model to have all the extensions and sliding and swiveling components, but even a simplified version could prove a nice family camper option.

We'll have more from Düsseldorf as the show hits its stride.

Source: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

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4 comments
EcoLogical
I love it ... except for the turbodiesel engine ... a deal stopper for me.
Electrify the VW Crafter van and I'll buy it!
guzmanchinky
What a cool little machine! I'm looking for something with 4x4 to replace my old camping van conversion...
KaiserPingo
Since the scandal with VW, they have been pushing all sorts of prototypes out. To take away peoples mind from the scandal and make it look like that VW is a progressive forerunner. Most prototypes never amount to anything, they dont have the money for it ! Atm. they are working via Merkell to make the German taxpayer (and the EU) pay for VW's development in EV's.
Pablo
All this at a (likely) "very reasonable" base price of $300,000... Why not, if a 40 year old Kombi can fetch that, might as well cash in on the trend!