Dubbed “a lifestyle vehicle designed for the ultimate travel experience,” the Volkswagen California is a stylish diesel-powered motor home.
The California sleeps four adults and exudes multi-functionality at every point, including a well appointed kitchen which has a folding worktop, wood-trimmed cupboard fittings, a two-burner hob and a 42-litre compressor cool box.
VW says the California has “superior comfort” sleeping areas, large storage compartments, comfort seats with good lateral support as well as driver's and front passenger's seat which swivel to 180º .
For additional space the motor home has an elevated roof and nice touches even include a gooseneck lamp for bedtime reading.
The California has a three-metre wheelbase and is 4.89m long and 1.99m high. Its powerful 2.5 TDI engine produces 128kW and 400Nm with the traditional frugal fuel consumption of a modern diesel engine.
Volkswagen says the vehicle has good driving dynamics which can be attributed to the high degree of body stiffness and the completely redeveloped suspension.
“McPherson struts at the front and the well-proven principle of rear axle trailing arms with ‘miniblock' springs and independent shock absorbers provide the California with its exceptional driving stability. Even when equipped with a full load of holiday equipment and luggage it handles very well on the road,” said a VW spokesman.
The California's safety features include driver and passenger airbag, front head and side airbags, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic differential lock (EDL), electronic stability programme (ESP), traction control system (TCS), engine traction control (ETC), a high-level brake light, a first aid kit and a warning triangle.
The California is available in two variants, a 2.5 TDI Manual with a selling price of R460,000 and a 2.5 TDI 4Motion® which has a price tag of R490,000.
The price includes a three-year/120,000km manufacturer warranty, a 12-year body guarantee against corrosion and five-year/60,000km maintenance plan.
