The new Volkswagen Caddy California is everything you need for a weekend getaway

As we announced at the end of July, the commercial range of Volkswagen had set the scene for us to discover one of its proposals for next year at the end of summer: the camper conversion Volkswagen Caddy California. A thoroughly lively commercial van converted into a leisure vehicle, whose dimensions make it ideal for lovers of outdoor weekend escapes.

Built on the fifth generation of the renowned van, assembled on the Group’s modular MQB platform, its compact dimensions allow, from its 4,501 millimetres in length, room for up to two occupants and their basic belongings to enjoy a stay wherever they wish aboard this camper van.

To underline its capacity as a van of maximum liveability in minimum space, its major novelty is a fold-away bed: it offers a mattress of up to 1,980 millimetres in length by 1,070 in width which, when stowed, is hidden behind the rear-row seats.

Occupants of that bed can enjoy the best sunsets and sunrises thanks to the panoramic roof of 1.4 square metres which, although optional, is well worth fitting.

For use as a nomadic home, it has a kitchen which, although optional, serves as the centre for preparing feasts wherever you choose to camp. Regardless of the weather, given its location and extraction from the boot, the tailgate acts as a canopy that avoids getting in the way of meal preparation.

In addition to the important novelties mentioned, it features an extensive repertoire of examples already seen in other vehicles, both commercial and private, as far as new technologies are concerned, and includes, besides the instrument cluster, the house’s Digital Cockpit, with the Discover Pro multimedia system, which also fits a 10-inch digital screen.

New Volkswagen Caddy California, diesel with front-wheel or all-wheel drive

As for the engines available for this Volkswagen Caddy California, which will later offer an extended-body version of 4,853 millimetres, you can always choose from the diesel-fuelled engine with two power levels: from the modest 75 CV for an unhurried drive, up to the more dynamic 122 CV engine. In addition to standard front-wheel drive, it can also be specified with 4Motion all-wheel drive for those opting for an even more adventurous version.