With record heatwaves sweeping the US and Europe, now might be the best year to finally scratch that itch and get yourself a campervan - and right on cue, Volkswagen has unveiled two new campervans: the California Beach and the ID. California Cruise. Planned to make their public debut at Caravan Salon later this month, the ID. California Cruise is the first fully-electric California, while the California Beach “rethinks the campervan," says Stefan Mecha, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
The only issue is that both vehicles are concepts, but there’s hope for fans of electric campervans because Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles says the ID. California Cruise “lays the foundation for a new family of electric campervans”, which the firm says will be introduced “step by step through to 2028”. VW also says it will gather customer feedback on the California Beach at the Caravan Salon “to help shape future development” too.
View Price on AmazonWe’re yet to see the ID. California Cruise, but we know it’ll be based on the ID. Buzz electric MPV. Volkswagen says the concept will transfer “the freedom, versatility and everyday practicality that define the California family into the age of electric mobility”. Using the same MEB platform as the ID. Buzz means there’s a choice of battery sizes available to the ID. California Cruise. The SWB (short wheelbase) ID. Buzz features a 77 kWh battery that’s good for up to 174 miles of range, while the 86 kWh pack in the LWB (long wheelbase) can provide up to 181 miles. With all the amenities (and their weight) usually associated with a VW camper, those range figures might be optimistic for the ID. California Cruise.
The California Beach has been developed in collaboration with VW’s ‘innovation partner’ Stuff Bubble, and we can already see what it looks like, inside and out. Stuff Bubble, creator of the world's first inflatable camping kitchen, has employed this technology to the California Beach. One of the key benefits, according to VW, is the lack of weight associated with this kit, along with the simplicity of installation.
The inflatable kitchen, for example, weighs less than 22 pounds while the double bed only weighs 26 pounds. There’s also a cooker, but both the kitchen and bed elements can be removed entirely, adding to the California Beach’s versatility.
Source: autoexpress.co.uk
