2020 Volkswagen Grand California 600 – Practical and Comfortable Camper Van. 2020 Volkswagen Grand California 600 – Drive, Interior and Exterior. Subscribe.
The Grand California is available in two different versions: a six-metre version – the 600 – with double bed (transverse sleeping) at the rear and additional optional overcab bed for children in the roof; or a 6.8-metre variant – the 680 – with larger sleeping area (longitudinal) for two adults.
The Grand California comes with one engine, a 2.0-litre TDI 177 PS unit, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and with front-wheel drive. For more challenging adventures, the Grand California 680 will additionally be available with 4MOTION four-wheel drive.
Being based on the Crafter, the Grand California comes with a raft of driver assistance and comfort features. These include standard Front Assist with City Emergency Braking function, Cross Wind Assist and Hill Start Assist, along with front and rear parking sensors, plus the option to add Lane Assist to help the driver stay in lane, Blind Spot Monitor for changing lane, Rear Traffic Alert for reversing out of parking spaces and Park Assist for steering into them, the sensor-controlled side protection system, Adaptive Cruise Control and a Rear View reversing camera.
The Grand California (600) provides a sleeping area in the back with a transverse integrated double bed (1,930 x 1,360 mm). This version of the camper can optionally be ordered with a high bunk bed above the cab and ‘dining table’ space: the slatted frame is simply pulled out and then measures 1,900 x 1,220 mm (passenger side) and 1,600 x 1,220 mm (driver side). This extra bed’s load-bearing capacity is 150 kg. A skylight with blind is integrated into this area.
The beds in the rear sleeping area of both models are fitted with an 80 mm thick mattress on a spring plate sub-construction. It can in each instance be folded up to the side and is clipped in place via two straps and buckles on each side.
Underneath it is a large storage space that is secured by a two-piece (removable) partition. The side storage space in the rear of the Grand California measures 180 litres. The Grand California 680 offers more capacity here, as it has an additional floor-level cabinet towards the living area and a roof-level cupboard on the driver’s side.
In total, the Grand California 600 has four floor-level cupboards in the rear. One is pure storage space, two house the gas bottles and the drinking water tank while the fourth is fitted out as an equipment cupboard. Inside it are the FI circuit breaker switch, a battery cut-off switch, the relief valves for the water system and the subwoofers of the optional sound system.
The row of kitchen units in both models is identically equipped, but different in size. While width (400 mm) and height (880 mm) are the same, the length of the work surface measures 980 mm (Grand California 600) respectively. On both models the work surface in the kitchen can also be extended towards the front of the vehicle via a pull-out panel. The working surface in the Grand California 600 can also be extended to the rear using a pull-out panel.
A light and airy atmosphere is created on board the Grand California by the prop-open camper windows (two in the 600 and up to six in the 680) and thanks to the 700 x 600mm skylights above the living space and the double bed at the back. All camper windows are fitted with two-piece pleated blinds (mosquito net and black-out fabric). Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has also developed a new black-out concept with magnetic curtains for the driver’s cab.
Customers opting for the Grand California 600 have the choice of a large storage space above the cab, or an integrated pull-out child’s high overcab bed, complete with a built-in panoramic tilting sunroof (700 x 850mm – ie larger than when no overcab bed is fitted) which, when the blind is open, gives a clear view of the night sky. Children climb up to the bed via a solid ladder which attaches to the bed’s frame. A USB interface next to the reading light ensures power for playing on a smart phone or console. To make sure that nothing and nobody falls out, there is also a child safety net which attaches to the roof of the Grand California.
When desired, a solar energy unit on the roof feeds power to the Grand California’s battery system. On the Grand California 600 the solar cells are integrated in the camper roof at the front, where they develop power output of up to 104 watts.
