Auto Car | Fifth Gear Volkswagen Caravelle California | The California camper has been based on the Caravelle MPV and from the outside they look exactly the same. Both are essentially versions of the Transporter Van, with which the vehicle shares its body. It isn't unpleasant looking; its chunky nose and bumper make it one of the more handsome of commercial vehicles. Standard features include body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and side mouldings and 16-inch alloys. Inside though is where it counts and upfront, the California again looks much the same as the Caravelle. As with most Volkswagen vehicles, both benefit from excellent build quality.
The dash layout is very car-like but you need a long arm to reach the floor-mounted handbrake. It's easy to navigate and despite the high van-like driving position there is plenty of adjustment to get the most comfortable position. In the rear however, the California gets a kitchen and sink area where the Caravelle has a further two rows of seats. The California does have a second row bench seat which comes with seatbelts for extra passengers. It also can be pulled forward and folds fully flat for use as a double bed. There is also the rather nifty electrical pop top roof on the California which not only opens up an extra sleeping area, but allows extra space to stand up in the cabin. It also includes a fully working fridge, electric fan heater and gas hob for all your camping needs.
A fold out table provides an eating area, whilst a further table can be found in the sliding door with chairs folded away in a compartment in the boot door. Both the California and Caravelle couldn't be described as tardis-like, as they are pretty large in the first place, but they are still very spacious and practical. Sliding rear doors add to the van-like image but they make sense for city parking. The Caravelle will comfortably seat seven, even on a long journey, and each passenger has a decent amount of leg and elbow room. There's also adequate space for luggage in both models. The California has a rear self in the boot and items can be stored on it or below it, as well as extra luggage space behind the front seats, as rear passengers of the California sit quite a way back in the cabin.
The dash layout is very car-like but you need a long arm to reach the floor-mounted handbrake. It's easy to navigate and despite the high van-like driving position there is plenty of adjustment to get the most comfortable position. In the rear however, the California gets a kitchen and sink area where the Caravelle has a further two rows of seats. The California does have a second row bench seat which comes with seatbelts for extra passengers. It also can be pulled forward and folds fully flat for use as a double bed. There is also the rather nifty electrical pop top roof on the California which not only opens up an extra sleeping area, but allows extra space to stand up in the cabin. It also includes a fully working fridge, electric fan heater and gas hob for all your camping needs.
A fold out table provides an eating area, whilst a further table can be found in the sliding door with chairs folded away in a compartment in the boot door. Both the California and Caravelle couldn't be described as tardis-like, as they are pretty large in the first place, but they are still very spacious and practical. Sliding rear doors add to the van-like image but they make sense for city parking. The Caravelle will comfortably seat seven, even on a long journey, and each passenger has a decent amount of leg and elbow room. There's also adequate space for luggage in both models. The California has a rear self in the boot and items can be stored on it or below it, as well as extra luggage space behind the front seats, as rear passengers of the California sit quite a way back in the cabin.
Engines available include two versions of the 2.5-litre TDI, offering 130 and 174bhp while the Caravelle is also available with a faintly ridiculous 235 bhp petrol 3.2-litre V6. The pick of the bunch is the 174bhp TDI engine, coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox, which offers decent economy - for a vehicle this size - as well as decent levels of performance. It will get the California to 62mph in 13 seconds and the Caravelle in 12.2 seconds, whilst managing fuel consumption of 39.2 mpg on the combined cycle for both models. CO2 emissions of 221g/km are to be expected for a vehicle of this type and do at least fall under the all-important 225 g/km barrier. Generally speaking both models do exactly what they need to and are amongst the front-runners if you're in the market for a large MPV or camper van. The only real downside is the fact they will set you back well over £30,000, coupled with high running costs and road tax. There are definitely cheaper options around but, thanks to over 50 years of heritage, the VW twins are the only van-based MPVs or campers that have a degree of street-cred.
(fwd.five.tv)
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