new VW T6 California Ocean walk around

[David Moffatt]

Our offices are based at a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle dealership and we've produced a walk around video on the brand-new T6 California Ocean camper van.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMNNE9ooQg0

enjoy! Let us know if you have any questions on the new model.

[jamiebae]

I want one (actually, the Coast version) but need more seats. The seven seat 'Beach' would be ideal but we'd want the fridge, cooker and storage of the higher end models. Even with the optional fifth seat it's still not quite going to do the job sadly

[David Moffatt]

jamiebae said:

I want one (actually, the Coast version) but need more seats. The seven seat 'Beach' would be ideal but we'd want the fridge, cooker and storage of the higher end models. Even with the optional fifth seat it's still not quite going to do the job sadly

Think the new California 7 seater is called the 'Beach', the seats take up the bulk of the space where the table, fridge, cooker and storage would go

[Spuffington]

Nice looking vehicles these and can definitely see the appeal.

BUT, I still can't get my head around the price. I know that they can work as everyday transport methods, so therefore a little more practical than having a van AND a car and I know they hold their value well, but I can't get over how little you get for c. 50k! I've got a bloody nice 2001 Hymer, an 2011 X3 and a 2004 Polo, with enough change to insure and tax all of them for a few year for the same money and probably the same overall depreciation!

[jamiebae]

David Moffatt said:

Think the new California 7 seater is called the 'Beach', the seats take up the bulk of the space where the table, fridge, cooker and storage would go

Exactly, the 'Beach' has a 3 seater bench and two individual seats in the back as well as the pop top and bed but no kitchen units. The Coast and Ocean have a two seater bench but can only fit one single seat as well so it isn't as practical.

In terms of price, there's a special deal on in Switzerland at the moment which takes about £8k off the list price meaning a Beach is not much more than £20k and the Coast is under £30k as long as you take a normal FWD diesel engine. You can spend a lot more if you want though, a 4WD twin turbo diesel version can be the wrong side of £50k

[Antony Moxey]

^^ This as Spuffers says. We paid less than half that for twice as much motorhome and still have a couple of cars too. I do like them, and do see the appeal, but for me once I got in a motorhome I was put off the cramped nature of a camper van for life.

Up front the flight deck looks awesome - the quality and toys are something my motorhome definitely lacks - however I do laugh at the insistence that it's car like. It isn't, it's van like, and it drives like a van, just like all the other camper vans and people carriers too.

But, nice piece of kit (although those wraparound wardrobe doors soon begin to stick, as does the sliding table), excellent flight deck, clever use of space. But the price...

[Antony Moxey]

PS: I did like the video though, but found myself strangely fascinated by trying to work out what the guys in hi-vis were doing in the background.

[David Moffatt]

Antony Moxey said:

PS: I did like the video though, but found myself strangely fascinated by trying to work out what the guys in hi-vis were doing in the background.

Great to hear it, we'll be doing a few more in-depth videos in the future, especially when the Beach arrives.

The hi-vis guys are extras that we brought in to give the video more depth... and do some work on site

[smifffymoto]

I want one but they start at 46000 Euro here,go to Poland and they are 33000 Euro.A road trip may be planned in the future.

[jamiebae]

They start at 39,500 CHF here, but that's with Swiss VAT at 8% so just over €35,000. The one I'd want is the 'Coast Liberty' with 4WD and DSG which is 53,500 CHF or the equivalent Ocean version for another 3k but as above the seating arrangements make it difficult to justify.

http://imagepool.spruenglidruck.ch/pageflip/vw_nf_...

[smifffymoto]

It is hard to justify when you can get a fully equiped,bigger camping car for less money.
The VW wins lots of points for ease of use and its looks.

[SwissJonese]

Looked at these recently, but they still have the sliding door opening on the wrong side. Not great for our kids, park up, open the sliding door into the road.

They do look lovely, have decent spec engines and the fit and finish is great.

[Chicken Chaser]

As a T5 owner with a DIY side conversion (rather than a rock & roll) I am always envious of when I see Californias pull up alongside at a campsite. But when I see the layout and lack of storage I'd rather have mine. Yes mine only seats 3 across the front, but with such little storage, you couldn't feasibly take a family of 4 away in a Cali. They're a lovely piece of kit but they are limited due to the amount of space and the configuration of the build. I know that most will take awnings and then throw a load of kit from inside the van into the awnng but you're then moving back towards a tent with a small annex! As much as I would love one they're just too limited for the price.

[David Moffatt]

Thanks for all of your input into this topic, it's been great to hear your experience and opinion on the VW California.

We've just shot a walk around video on the new T6 California Beach, enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y5c4wyfLwo

[Phunk]

Hi David,

Good video's, what are you using for a mic?

I think you're using a lapel mic, but it doesn't seem to be picking you up very well?

Have a look at something like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rode-Smartlav-Lavalier-Mic...

Pair it with something like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rycote-065514-Universal-Wi...

And most of your wind noise will have gone and the sound will be much clearer.

Perhaps also look at using some YouTube annotations to direct people to your website?

Hope this didn't come across badly, I make similar videos, and these are just things I've discovered myself

[David Moffatt]

Thanks for the tips Stuart.

Yes we're using this lapel mic Amazon Link which has worked fine until this time were Chris' jacket was interfering with it so I switched between the lapel and camera mic.

Yes I was just looking at the Youtube annotations, there's a few options so trying to pick the best one.

Nope didn't come across badly at all, thanks for the tips! Always find audio the tricky part so grateful for any advice.

[russ_a]

I've always wanted T5 but just like the posters above I can't get my head around the price.

[HTP99]

russ_a said:

I've always wanted T5 but just like the posters above I can't get my head around the price.

I guess they are fairly niche; particularly in the UK so are relatively expensive to build, they hold their value extremely well though.

I have been casually looking at T5 California Ocean's; can't remotely afford one but it's nice to dream, I really like them and the concept of a small Camper; being able to use it daily and come Friday night driving off with the dogs and the wife for a spontaneous weekend getaway.

Edited by HTP99 on Sunday 14th February 11:24

[russ_a]

I know, I know but £50k for a van with seats