The new Volkswagen Grand CaliforniaThe new Volkswagen Grand California has arrived in Ireland, priced from €76,900.
The Grand California has an 8-speed automatic transmission and 177hp, while 4MOTION all wheel drive will be available. The 4 passenger seat/ 4 berth sleeping configuration will be available from €77,600, while the 2 passenger, 2 berth format will be available from €76,900.
With the Grand California, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is extending its range of campervans by adding a model in the six-metre class, complete with a bathroom. In addition to the large sleeping area in the rear, the Grand California will be available with a high bunk bed for children.
All camper windows are fitted with cassette blinds and flyscreens. For the driver’s cab, there is a new blackout concept.
In addition to the kitchen and bathroom, further standard features include external lighting above the sliding door, connection at the back for an external shower (with adjustable water temperature), an electrically powered step and a two-part mosquito net. One innovative feature is the option to control the loudspeakers in the living area via Bluetooth making it possible to listen to music independently of the infotainment system using a smartphone, tablet or laptop.
The Grand California is fitted with swivel seats at the front and a double bench seat in the living area. There are ISOFIX anchor points with top tether in the rear bench seat. The kitchen fittings include a pull-out 70-litre fridge with freezer compartment (accessible from outside as well as via the sliding door), a twin-hob gas cooker, a sink and diverse drawers, pull-out storage compartments and tip-up shelves.
A key feature of the Grand California that differentiates it from the California ‘T6’ is the bathroom. In addition to a toilet and shower, its fittings include a fold-out wash basin, shelves with holders for toiletries, a cupboard with integrated toilet paper holder (protects it from getting damp), towel holders and a skylight for ventilation. The Grand California can carry 110 litres of water. There are no light switches to be found in the bathroom – the lights come on automatically via motion detectors – as standard.
Optionally available is a high bunk bed for kids complete with integrated panoramic skylight above it. Also available are details such as an additional roof-mounted air-conditioning unit at the back, an awning, a rear bicycle rack and a camping table and chairs (which can be stowed in the wing doors). The standard gas heating can optionally be expanded as a heating system run on gas- or diesel-generated electric power. There will also be a solar panel system mounted on the roof, a satellite dish (for TV reception) and an LTE/WiFi hotspot (router).
The Grand California will be available with the Crafter’s driver assistance and infotainment systems. The driver assistance systems include the Front Assist surroundings monitoring system with City Emergency Braking function, Lane Assist to help the driver stay in lane, Blind Spot Monitor for changing lane, Rear Traffic Alert for reversing out of parking spaces and Park Assist for steering, the sensor-controlled side protection system, Adaptive Cruise Control and the Rear View reversing camera.
The two-colour paintwork concept is adapted from the California ‘T6’. The single colour paintwork options are Candy White, Reflex Silver or Indium Grey. Available as two-colour paintwork are combinations of Reflex Silver and Indium Gray, Candy White and Cherry Red, Candy White and Deep Ocean Blue or Candy White and Mojave Beige Metallic.
There will be 4 Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle centres authorised to sell the new Grand California; Frank Keane Volkswagen, Dublin, Blackwater Volkswagen, Cork and Connollys Volkswagen, Sligo. One further new Commercial and Life vehicle centre will be appointed in the North Dublin region shortly and they will complete the list of authorised Grand California centres in Ireland.