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Volkswagen California Ocean
Sections:

Key Features

Model Year 2021
Class Rising Roof
Base Vehicle Volkswagen T6.1
Price From (£) 64,873
Length (m) 4.90
Berths 4
Belted Seats 4
Main Layout Campervan
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At a glance

Base vehicle: VW Transporter/Caravelle T6.1 SWB Price from: £66,643 (as tested, £72,235) Berths: 4 Travel seats: 4 Length: 4.90m Width: 1.90m Height: 1.99m Payload: 515kg

Full review

Words and photos: Geneve Brand


Be careful, it’s haunted!” warned my colleague, tossing me the keys from a safe distance. “What do you mean?” I asked. “Well, the windows go up and down and the radio goes on and off of its own accord. Oh, and the electric sliding door doesn’t always work”, he replied. “Like Christine, then? – you know, the horror novel by Stephen King. The one about a possessed car that likes to lock the doors and windows and crank up the radio while gassing its victims?”

Not to be deterred, I boarded Christine. Nervously, I started the engine and sorted the mirrors out, and it occurred to me that it had been about a year since I’d had my first test drive of the new T6.1, which replaced the T6. Prior to this, as we eagerly awaited the latest incarnation, we’d questioned why it was to be named the T6.1 and not T7.

 

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However, it is just an updated version of its predecessor rather than being something significantly different.

The main changes made were under the bonnet, as the new engines meet the latest Euro 6d emissions standard. The older 84PS and 102PS engines were upgraded to 90PS and 110PS respectively, while the 204PS became 199PS. The 150PS is the only unit to persist, in both manual and DSG forms.

There were some aesthetic tweaks, too, with a new deeper front grille that makes it look more akin to cars in Volkswagen’s line-up rather than an out-and-out van.

Of course, to keep up with the times, there were tech upgrades, too, so now you get stuff like electric (instead of hydraulic) power steering, adaptive cruise control, crosswind assist and the new eCall emergency system, amongst other things.

When it comes to campervans, it’s interesting that VW is the only vehicle manufacturer to actually build its own inhouse models.

In Germany (from where the brand haills) its campervan line-up consists of two versions of the California Beach, plus the California Coast and California Ocean. The former was ditched in the UK but is set to make a comeback, and we now get the latter two models. We’ve tested the Coast so let’s see how the Ocean compares...

Step inside and it’s beautiful. That’s not to say that other VW-based campervans are not, by comparison – au contraire – it’s just that VW’s own California looks like it belongs in a modern art gallery.

When sitting inside, it feels more like a space-age SUV than a campervan; clinical, even – a bit like an ambulance without all the medical apparatus. Furniture units have curved edges, sliding doors with recessed handles and new catches, and there’s even lighting inside the kitchen cupboards. Everything is oh-so-neat, tidy and ergonomic. This clean automotive interior belies myriad clever design features, too – many of which are unique to, or at least pioneered by, Volkswagen.

The tailgate zip-up storage bag cleverly concealing a pair of camping chairs is, for example, a VW invention that’s since been copied by several converters of Volkswagens.

Poke around for long enough and you’re sure to find something concealed in every nook and cranny, like the 12V socket and light in the boot, or the handy vanity mirror, complete with a small cubby, hiding on the back of the wardrobe door next to the fridge.

Under the two-seater bench seat (with Isofix for two child seats), there’s a pull-out drawer, which houses things like levelling chocks and an electric hook-up lead. Behind this (and accessed from the tailgate), so well concealed that you would only know about it if someone told you it was there, is an emergency kit containing tools and a jack.

Also at the back, neatly concealed under a plastic cover at the bottom of the cupboard is internal access to the fresh water tank (filled from outside), which wraps around the wheelarch, and inside this is space for the gas cylinder. It’s like a Russian doll!

Also located here is a connector point for an external activity shower, as well as the RCD box.

A lot of this stuff isn’t new to the California, though, and many things remain unchanged or only slightly tweaked.

The VW sliding bench/bed system found in all models of Californias is not new, for example. This, rather like the popular Reimo Variotech rail system found in many campervan conversions, slides back and forth and can be locked in various positions.

The easiest way to do this is to sit on the bench, lift a lever and then shuffle it into position, as is required to set the bed up. The downside to both systems, however, used to be that the back section of the bed couldn’t be lifted up and positioned in chaise longue mode, meaning that you’d be resting uncomfortably against the tailgate and a cold window, if you wanted to sit up in bed to read or enjoy a morning cuppa.

So it’s nice to see that VW has finally rectified this with what it calls its ‘lounge function’. Essentially, the back now sits on a ratchet so it’s angle-adjustable.

Come bed time, it’s easy enough to convert the bench into the bed, too. Simply tilt the headrests backwards and out of the way, shuffle the bench forwards and then pull a strap to release the backrest and drop it flat. Seatbelts then tuck under.

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The bed measures a decent 1.93m by 1.15m but, by Volkswagen’s own admission, it’s not the most comfortable in the world, and so it recommends purchasing the optional ‘comfort mattress’, although any mattress topper or inflatable sleep mat would do the trick. Pull-across blinds throughout, including the cab, provide privacy. 

If you’re on the taller side, you might prefer to head upstairs to the pop-top roof bed, which is slightly larger at 2.00m by 1.16m. It’s nice to see, too, that the previous slat system used in Californias of old has now been replaced with springs, making it more comfortable.

Odd, though, is that the 12V plug up here hasn’t been swapped for a more useful USB port. The internal car-style lights also seem a little dim compared to the LED spots and lollipop reading lights we’re accustomed to seeing in many pop-tops.

The side kitchen remains largely unaltered, too, but then it was a pretty good design before so why fix what’s not broken, right? The unit features a two-burner gas hob with an adjacent sink that has a dinky little inset plastic washing-up bowl, which could come in handy.

Below this, cupboard space is good, with plenty of room for food, pots and pans, etc, although you’ll lose some of that if you opt to store a Porta Potti here.

Don’t forget that the cupboards have lights in them and the switch for these is to the right of the unit, where you’ll now also find a couple of USB ports and a towel hook. Also new are the catches on the glass lids that conceal the kitchen facilities when not in use, which are said to be smoother and easier to operate.

To the left of the unit is a 42-litre top-loading compressor fridge.

Seating for four is well catered for, come meal times, since both cab seats swivel and the bench can be slid forwards to meet the table, so you don’t need a litter picker to fetch the jam. The table is attached to a rail on the kitchen unit so it’s easy to slide into position, then simply pull down the leg. And, if you get a bit chilly when you’re chilling here, there’s a diesel-fired blown-air heater. 

At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Coast and the Ocean are the same. After all, they both feature an identical kitchen, sliding bench/bed and a roof bed as standard. Camping facilities are the same, and the boot, cupboards etc.

In fact, if you poked your head in quickly, the only difference you might immediately spot is that furniture is wood-effect in the Coast and grey in the Ocean.

But you could have a Coast on your drive for under £60k – the model we tested last year, for example, had a price tag just shy of £59k and came with a 148bhp (150PS) engine with a DSG (automatic) gearbox.

The Ocean, however, starts at £66,643 and the demo model featured here is priced up at £72,235. So why the hefty price difference? Well, the base vehicle does have the 197bhp (199PS) engine, also with the seven-speed DSG ’box, so that will add a couple of quid.

It’s also had a few pricey extras added, such as a Discover Pro navigation system with a three-year We Connect Plus subscription (£678), Active Lane Assist (£474) and Trailer Assist including a removable and lockable towbar (£576).

The two-tone paintwork alone will set you back £2,880, too. However, the price difference really comes down to the amount of state-of-the-art electronic tech aboard the Ocean.

This starts with the Audi-style Digital Cockpit dashboard display, which is rather space-age. Gone are the dials and needles of old, replaced entirely with digital readouts.

When driving at night, it’s like being in a flight simulator. Of course, the standard (optional on the Coast) Discover Media DAB+ navigation system is operated from an 8in touchscreen, as is the radio, etc, and it’s got internet connectivity.

Another difference is that the Ocean gets an electro-hydraulic elevating roof (manual pop-top in the Coast), which is operated from a control unit that sits above the central cab mirror, and also operates all the campervan’s vitals, such as lighting, heating, the fridge, etc. You can also check stats like battery level info and it even features a digital spirit level.

The Ocean also has an electric sliding door, although that’s an extra, costing £378. What isn’t optional is which side of the vehicle it’s on, as VW keeps the sliding door on the continental side. At first, it’s a bit weird because the conversion is reversed, but you soon get used to it – and hopefully the driver doesn’t forget when dropping passengers off on the pavement!

Electric doors, roofs, etc, are wonderful when they work but Christine was haunted. The radio did turn itself on and the windows went up and down once or twice. The electric sliding door refused to close but, luckily, giving it a good shove was enough
to force it.

So, none of these electrical faults caused a real problem, but it does make you wonder what would happen if the electric roof malfunctioned, or refused to close at the end of a camping trip. An additional manual winder, perhaps, wouldn’t go amiss.

 

 

  
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Our verdict

If you only have room for one vehicle in your life and need something primarily as a comfortable and well-equipped daily driver that also works excellently as a four-berth camper come the weekend, then the California won’t disappoint. Whether you opt for the range-topping Ocean with all its state-of-the-art bells and whistles or the more basic, down-to-earth Coast will probably depend on the size of your wallet.

Advantages

DSG gearbox is standard
Audi-style Digital Cockpit is VERY cool
Lights inside kitchen cupboards are handy

Disadvantages

Sliding door is on the continental side
Bed isn't the most comfortable
Porta Potti not included

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