Updated Volkswagen California 6.1 camper teased

Volkswagen has released first details and sketches of its updated VW California 6.1, a factory-built campervan based on the latest iteration of the brand's T6 van platform.

The Volkswagen California isn't sold in Australia but VW says it's a top-seller in Europe – the company says it sold 18,000 examples in 2018, more than any other campervan model.

Now the updated Volkswagen California 6.1 takes the model's technology and connectivity up a notch, with optional digital instrumentation – or 'digital cockpit', as VW puts it – complete with online infotainment system (with integrated eSIM). The 'multifunction camper control unit' in the roof console has also been digitised.

Volkswagen says the California 6.1 features "carefully enhanced and optimised" living and sleeping quarters, while its safety has also received a boost, the model now featuring Volkswagen's Side Protection (side monitoring), Lane Assist (dynamic steering) and Trailer Assist features, the latter helping the driver to reverse the California 6.1 with trailer with safety and precision.

A side-wind compensation system has also been added while, like in the updated Multivan people-mover, the California 6.1 now features electromechanical power steering.

The California 6.1's front-end has also come in for attention and now features a sleeker look that – according to Volkswagen – "transports the DNA of the California to the future".

Volkswagen says the new California 6.1 will launch in Europe with a range of 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines with outputs of up to 146kW, with the model to be officially unveiled at the massive Caravan-Salon expo in Dusseldorf, Germany from August 31.

While there's no official word yet on whether we may see the Volkswagen California 6.1 in Australian showrooms, Volkswagen Group Australia's Public Relations & Brand Experience Manager, Kurt McGuiness, has previously said the group is considering expanding its local presence in the recreational vehicle (RV) sphere.

“The California is of interest – we do see some customer interest in campervans, and would like to expand on our offering in that space next year,” he said last October, when Volkswagen made its return to the Australian campervan scene with its Caddy Beach.

The Caddy Beach is Australia's cheapest new campervan, the bare-bones model equipped with a stowable and removable double bed and some extra storage.

Priced from $46,990 plus on-road costs, the compact Caddy was unveiled at Melbourne's Leisurefest outdoors expo last October, where it premiered on the Volkswagen stand beside a Volkswagen Rockton – a concept version of the brand's Transporter medium van with an RV fit-out.

The only other factory campervan available in Australia is the Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo ACTVITY, a base-spec campervan built on the brand's Vito medium-van platform.

Campervan buyers in Australia have traditionally gravitated towards taking donor vans to RV conversion specialists or carrying out the conversion themselves, in an effort to equip the vehicles with a high level of equipment and customisation.

Both the Volkswagen Caddy Beach and the Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo ACTIVITY are fairly basic in terms of their RV features and specification but, with renewed factory interest in Australia's RV scene, that might be set to change.