2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 05:39
With the new VW California Beach it's time to go to the campsite. However, even the basic price of the entry-level model of the California series hardly leaves you with an alternative for a cozy hotel room.
By Thomas Flehmer A
quick escape from everyday life - this wish keeps coming back after a hard week. Not always immediately feasible for a family, as hotel rooms are not always cheap and occupied on weekends. A short detour to the beach is a must with the VW T5 California Beach. With the new model, Volkswagen's commercial vehicle division has now also given families this opportunity.
New design DNA
Because the face-lifted successor to the legendary Bulli received not only the design DNA of the group, but also the pop-top roof as standard. Instead of two, four people can now spend the night in 4.89 meters long California Beach. The roof can be opened in six easy steps. After pushing back the cover over the cockpit and loosening four safety devices, a simple push is enough and the bed is ready after about 20 seconds.
Thanks to a continuous mattress, you can sleep better above than below. There, the back seat is converted into a double bed, but has two dents that can also be concealed by a thick pad. In return, those sleeping below have the protection of the solid body, while those lying above are only protected from the outside world by a canvas and have to rely on the power of the auxiliary heating on cool nights.
Rapid progress
For breakfast after a good night's sleep, the two front seats are turned and the table hidden in the sliding door is opened. If the meal is to be eaten outside, the two chairs in the tailgate can be used and the table is pushed outwards. This is not the only place where long-forgotten feelings of a Bulli arise.
They attack you when the vehicle registration reveals that the vehicle, which weighs between 2.0 and 2.5 tons, is only powered by a 75 kW / 102 PS common rail diesel engine with a displacement of two liters and a torque of 250 Newton meters, between 1500 and 2500 revolutions are present to rattle through the country. But it feels surprisingly faster than the specified 17.9 seconds for the acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h want to lead one to believe.
Combined instead of commercial vehicle atmosphere
Engine noises can still be heard while driving, but on the one hand not very loud, on the other hand the engine noises are simply part of it. The high seating position gives you a lot of security thanks to the all-round view. The redesigned dashboard, the well-organized cockpit and the newly clad interior exude a station wagon atmosphere.
The Bulli-Erbe is fast up to 157 km / h, it can manage a speed of 140 without having to make a great effort. Due to its angular dimensions, however, the people on the back seat are shaken vigorously depending on the attack of the wind - not everyone can take it. A speed of 120 km / h is therefore completely sufficient.
Not cheap pleasure
While VW specifies consumption as a combined 7.5 liters, the T5 is already in the double-digit range between ten and 10.5 liters at this speed. A sixth gear would be good for the thick ship, even if the lack of it is not as noticeable as with other vehicles. He could save a little more, and that would be a good thing.
Because the acquisition requires a lot of savings. While the basic California Beach starts with 84 PS at 36,711 euros, at least 38,740 euros have to be paid for the 102 PS TDI tested. The escape from everyday life remains a dream for many and many people want the old Bulli back.
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