New VW California campervan coming

Volkswagen has released first details and sketches of its updated 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 (yet?) 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.

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.

The new California 6.1 also features "carefully enhanced and optimised" living and sleeping quarters, while safety has received a boost with Volkswagen's Side Protection (side monitoring), Lane Assist (dynamic steering) and Trailer Assist features, among the safety kit.

A side-wind compensation system has also been added while, as has 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 Volkswagen Caddy Beach is already available down under as "Australia's cheapest new campervan", although the bare-bones model is only equipped with a stowable and removable double bed and some extra storage.

The only other factory campervan available in Australia is the Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo, another base-spec camper 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 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.