California dreaming
09/10/2007
JCB Van Centre Sittingbourne has been appointed as the franchised dealer for Southern England to supply the prestigious California, Volkswagen’s executive campervan.
One of only seven retailers receive this highly coveted addition to the commercial range throughout the entire UK, it reflects JCB’s commitment to the Volkswagen brand and to its commercial vehicles division.
Unlike many ‘camper vans’ which are essentially conversions, the California is special in being a full factory-designed and produced vehicle. This means it benefits from the expertise which is given to every other Volkswagen product, and is the only recreational vehicle of its type available officially in the UK with full European Whole Vehicle Type Approval. The entry-level California costs £34,000 on the road.
Equipped with Volkswagen’s five-cylinder 2.5-litre TDI PD engine producing either 130 or 174 PS, the California is economical, powerful and rewarding to drive. And as you would expect from Volkswagen, all vehicles are equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), traction control (TCS), engine braking control (EBC) and Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP). Models with the 174 PS engine can also be specified with 4MOTION four-wheel drive.
Standard specification is also high with electric windows; air conditioning; remote central locking with alarm; and alloy wheels on all models. Of course, being a recreational vehicle, the California also boasts a number of features which you wouldn’t find on your average family hatchback. These include curtains; a clothes cupboard; kitchen worktop; cutlery drawer; two burner gas cooker; and – yes, you guessed it – a kitchen sink.
Other equipment includes a 42-litre fridge with –18°C capability, a 30-litre fresh water container (with submersible pump); parking and auxiliary heaters with remote control; and double glazing for the living area.
When you’ve finished cooking and washing up, two sleeping areas are available. One is in the main body of the vehicle, while a second ‘private’ area can be found in the roof, accessible via an electro-hydraulic raising mechanism.
The California also comes with light alloy chairs which when not being used can be stored in the tailgate, and a table and awning which borrow design cues from the aerospace industry, resulting in low weight and clever stowage solutions.