Next VW California will be based on the Multivan

If you’re a keen campervanist, we have some mildly big news. Volkswagen has confirmed that a new California is coming in 2024, and it’ll be based on the long-wheelbase Multivan.

Yep, the world’s best-known camper is leaving behind its links to the Transporter. Or is it? The current T6.1 Transporter will die soon, but VW still hasn’t announced whether its replacement will be built on the same MQB platform as the Multivan (and thus things like the Tiguan), or if it’ll be part of the commercial vehicle joint-venture with Ford and more similar to a Transit.

Anyway, we’re here to talk about the one you can sleep in. Being based on the Multivan means that the next California should be available with petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid powertrains. It also means that it’ll get a sliding door on each side.

We’re told that a California Concept will make its debut at the Caravan Salon trade fair in Düsseldorf at the end of August, before production begins at VW’s commercial vehicle plant in Hanover in 2024.

That’s pretty much all we know so far though. Well, other than the fact that we can see a pop-up roof and a removable tablet screen in the sketches for the concept.

STORY Greg Potts