Volkswagen NZ commercial vehicle general manager Kevin Richards opened the press conference claiming the new Grand California, at 6.8 meters long, would be one of the longest we would see launched this year. It is also likely to be the only launched by a brand head in their bathrobe.
The getup goes well with the Grand California range, VW’s home on wheels, two new campervans built in house at the same plant that turns out the Crafter it is based on in Poland. The setup is so ‘factory’ that the fit out is covered in the van’s five-year warranty, and technicians have been trained on some of their systems.
Richards notes the vehicle is being launched into a busy market, with cashed-up Kiwis unable to travel, motorhome and camper demand has reportedly doubled this year. It already offers a smaller California, based on the Transporter.
“We’re effectively introducing a campervan into a market that can’t leave the country for a non-specified period of time, which gives a perfect platform to really make an impact on that Kiwi marketplace,” Richards says.
And unlike local-build options, which have waiting lists in some cases exceeding two years, Richards says supply is strong
“From a volume aspiration point of view, we’re really new to this, and we’re quite open and honest about admitting that. So, we don’t have any volume aspirations other than the quintessential manufacturer, ‘as many as we can’.”
“What we do have is confirmed solid production volumes out of Poland. So, we’re confident of meeting customer demand while not getting carried away with what the opportunity affords us.”
And they are keen to trade on the Kombi history, with one on display at the launch event, with Richards eager to point out the Kombi is one of the truly iconic vehicle silhouettes ever created – alongside the Beetle, Porsche 911 and MINI.
Everyone has a Kombi story he suggests.
“Everyone’s got a story about a Volkswagen camper van. Everyone we talk to at motorhome shows tells us about the time that they drove around Australia in a Kombi in the ’70s, or European tour in the ’70s or South America in a Kombi in the ’70s. Everyone’s got a brilliant piece of brand love for the original.”
“We’re pretty confident that it is the most successful vehicle in terms of having had children conceived in it. We don’t have any statistical evidence for that, but now that we have the grownup Kombi with the new Grand California, we’ve actually developed two products that suit the people from that era, and in terms of the kids that may, or may not, have been conceived, can bring their kids in the 600.”
The two models are a four-berth ‘600’ at $159,000 and a two-berth 680 at $163,000. The 600 goes upwards, being the taller model with a cab-over bed, while the 680 offers only the one German Chiropractic Association-approved queen size bed, but a little more space. The 600 is more aimed at families, the 680 at couples.
Both models feature a slide-out fridge, kitchen, two-burner stove, shower and toilet, house batteries that are charged through the engine, plugging in to campground power or the engine, electric sliding doors and steps.
There is also gas heating for cold nights, and optional roof-mounted air-conditioning for the summer ($4000). The vans are built with insulation floor to ceiling.
For evenings outside, there is a standard pullout awning with exterior lighting, and a camping table and chairs built into the back door.
The Crafter bases are relatively highly specified, with the 130kW version of VW’s 2-litre turbodiesel standard, matched to an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Adaptive cruise, lane keeping system, autonomous emergency braking and a wind-sway assist system are standard. A touchscreen navigation also features.
Both seat four, with isofix points on the rear bench seat. Both front seats rotate to create a dining space.
Volkswagen has two demonstrator vans on the road, set to visit motorhome shows and tour around dealerships.
