New Volkswagen California unveiled as concept, showroom version due 2024

A concept vehicle previewing the next-generation, mid-size Volkswagen California campervan – based on the latest mid-size Multivan – has been unveiled, ahead of the production version's launch next year.

Teased earlier this month, the new 'T7' California show vehicle is branded as a concept, however it appears ready for production, and unlikely to be changed much compared to the final version planned for 2024.

Australian arrivals – which are yet to be confirmed – are not expected until 2025, as the regular Multivan on which it is based is yet to reach local Volkswagen showrooms.

Volkswagen Australia says it is still "working" towards getting the green light from head office to launch the standard T7 Multivan – possibly in late 2024.

As reported previously, the 'T7' Multivan and California is now based on the car-derived architecture shared with the Volkswagen Golf hatch and Tiguan SUV, rather than the load-carrying chassis of the Transporter van, which will be twinned with the Ford Transit Custom for its next generation in 2024.

The California concept continues to carry a pop-up roof – with a height of "almost two metres" – featuring a lightweight aluminium frame, windows in the side and front, and USB-C ports and LED lights for the bed inside.

Volkswagen says the regular California now has two sliding doors for the first time, including one on the kitchen side – though the California Beach edition sold in Australia already has two – for more versatility.

There is a folding-arm awning on the left of the vehicle, and a sun sail on the right – which can turn into an "open-sided tent" – plus 180-degree rotating front seats, and new movable rear seats replacing a fixed bench, trimmed in so-called "haptically pleasant" fabric.

The additional door allows the kitchen to be accessed from the outside, according to VW, with a sink, 230-volt induction hob, gas cooker, refrigerator, various kitchen drawers, and a removable compact grill.

"The second sliding door also offers a further advantage for right-hand drive markets like the UK, Australia and New Zealand, where users can now enter and exit the California safely on the pavement side," Volkswagen says in its media release.

Other highlights include drawers under the seats, larger cupboards and storage compartments, ambient multi-colour interior lighting (including in the roof), and an electric parking brake shared with the T7 Multivan that liberates space compared to the T6.1 model's regular handbrake.

A touchscreen tablet on one of the walls controls the roof mechanism and interior lighting, and shows information such as fresh and waste water levels, power supply status, refrigerator and auxiliary heater statuses, and an inclination meter.

The screen can also be swivelled out on an articulated arm to serve as a TV screen.

Powering the California Concept is a plug-in hybrid system – the first of its kind in a California – shared with the Multivan, expected to be sold alongside regular petrol and diesel engines.

In the Multivan, the system combines a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an 85kW electric motor to produce 160kW, with up to 50km of claimed electric-only driving range.

The plug-in hybrid battery is said to be able to provide "an almost completely autonomous 12-volt power supply."

The production version of the Volkswagen California Concept is due in European showrooms next year, and will remain produced at the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles division's Hannover, Germany factory.