2024 Volkswagen California T7 campervan revealed

A near production-ready 2024 Volkswagen California concept has been unwrapped at the Caravan Salon in Germany, previewing the incoming new long-wheelbase T7 Multivan-based campervan.

To be released next year, the new Volkswagen California camper will be offered with a plug-in eHybrid powertrain that combines a 110kW 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with an 85kW electric motor to produce a combined power output of 160kW.

There’s no official confirmation yet, but the production van, which draws energy from a 13kWh battery, is set to deliver a pure-electric range of around 50km and offer combined-cycle fuel economy of 1.9L/100km.

The longer and wider dimensions have liberated more living space inside the California, while designers have also included a second sliding door on the kitchen side for the first time.

To make space for the second door, the kitchen itself is now located further back in the van, mimicking what Volkswagen already does in the extra-long Grand California.

That sliding door means occupants can exit the California safely on the pavement side for the first time.

New options on the entry California include a folding-arm awning on the left and a new sun sail on the right to protect users from sun or rain, with both easily folded out and stowed quickly.

VW says the sun sail can also turn the area on the right-hand side into what feels like an open-sided tent, allowing owners to expand the living space further in all weather conditions.

Thanks to the awning on the other side, a separate area has been created outside for cooking as the sink and sliding induction hob and fridge are all accessible. There’s also an integrated gas cooker, 230-volt external power socket and a folding table.

Another highlight is a new compact grille that can be stowed in the kitchen unit and removed and used under cover of the new awning.

Inside, both the driver and passenger seat can rotate 180 degrees, while there’s also individual seats that are lightweight and removeable.

The versatile seats allow surfboards and bikes to be easily transported. The seating area can also be converted into a flat space, while the rear bench can fold into a bed.

All seats are wrapped with hard-wearing new fabric.

Other fresh features for the California include an electronic parking brake that liberates space between the driver and passenger, new practical drawers behind the driver and passenger seat, a new space behind the driver or passenger seat that can house a removeable dry-composting toilet, plus plenty of storage space in the top and bottom of the kitchen cupboards.

Other new touches include illuminated strip lighting in the roof frame that can be customised using different colours and can be dimmed.

LED lights are also incorporated on the awning to provide what VW calls a “terrace feeling”.

Up top, the latest VW bus comes with a lightweight aluminium pop-up roof shell that has triple-layered bellows and a large panoramic opening at the front. Large windows at the side also provide views.

Once fully extended into the highest position, there’s USB-C sockets and LED lights, plus a high-quality roof bed.

New tech includes a campervan control unit that allows some features to be controlled via the infotainment or smartphone, like the pop-up roof, or fresh or waste water levels, plus the interior lighting functions.

There’s also a handy pop-out tablet controller in the C-pilar that can tweak the fridge temp or dial up the auxiliary heater on a cold night.

Australian launch timing and model specs for the new T7 Volkswagen California are still to be released, but it should easily top $100,000 by the time it lands Down Under. (The current T6.1 California starts at $97,790 plus on-road costs for the petrol or $103,790 for the diesel.)

We might also miss out on the hybrid altogether, offering either 2.0-litre turbo-petrol or 2.0 turbo-diesel powertrains instead.

Volkswagen is also developing a California version of its all-electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz that will arrive in 2025.