What's the news?
Having shown off a concept version of a super-sized camper van last year, Volkswagen has made us all happy campers today by confirming that the California XXL concept will go into production and will be shown off at this year's 2018 Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf from the 24th August to 2nd September.
The California XXL will be based on the Crafter van, so it'll be properly big, more than six metres nose to tail, and three metres tall. The concept version used a 180hp turbo diesel engine, pneumatic suspension, and 4Motion four wheel drive, so expect to see these available on the production model, albeit probably only on the range-topping one.
Inside, there's 2.2 metres of headroom, sleeping space for four (in 2.0-metre-long beds), and most crucially of all, a bathroom. The regular T6 California has no on-board loo, so camping trips have to be carefully planed, but in the XXL you'll be able to go anywhere, if you see what we mean. There's a shower too.
Top-spec models will also have under-floor heating, two 50-litre fridges, and a 2.0-metre-long worktop, just in case you fancy rolling out a pizza or three.
Fancy more? How about a panoramic glass roof for sleeping under the stars, and a smartphone app that allows you to connect to the car to control all the interior functions. On a more practical note, there will also be twin reversing cameras, which should make it slightly easier to back this beast up.
The Caravan Salon won't just be a chance to launch the XXL - Volkswagen will also be celebrating the fact that, with the 100,000th just built, the California is now the most successful camper van ever built, and it's also clebrating the California's 30th birthday.