Volkswagen to unveil plug-in California

Volkswagen is to unveil a plug-in hybrid concept version of the California campervan at this year’s Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf.

The unveiling of the California CONCEPT at the show, which runs from 25 August to 3 September, will be something of a milestone because the company unveiled the first ever California at the same show 35 years ago in 1988.

Few other details have been released so far, but Volkswagen has confirmed that the concept plug-in hybrid California will be based on the long Multivan version of the Transporter 6.1, launched in 2021.

The concept vehicle will also include a tablet version of the touchscreen in the roof console that was a new feature of the California 6.1 when it was launched – also at Caravan Salon – in 2019.

Volkswagen is well-known for its ‘vans, with the Caddy California making its way into our best campervan guide. The news of the upcoming unveiling of the concept has come at a time when Volkswagen California recently passed the 200,000 sales landmark too.

VW also updated its second generation Crafter with electric brakes, among other changes.

Are you considering a used VW instead? See what our expert thought about buying a used VW Grand California.

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PeterBaber

Peter Baber is Reviews Editor of both Practical Motorhome and Practical Caravan. He has been reviewing motorhomes for the best part of a decade now. His first caravan reviews date back to the early 1990s when he first worked on Practical Caravan, before he embarked on a 20-year career in business journalism which saw him edit a wide variety of magazines, and launch a few too, including one that won an award. Although he enjoyed that, he always knew he wanted to come back. Peter reports on all the new models that make it to dealer forecourts each season, giving his judgement online and in magazine reviews. He has twice been shortlisted for a Caravan Writers Guild award. When he is not working, apart from going on motorhome trips himself (mostly local to where he lives in West Yorkshire, but also last year right across France) he likes trying to write novels, cooking, throwing the odd pot, and has just taken up tennis.