Brand New VW Grand California 600 & 680 - VW Camper Tour
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- A huge thank you to Volkswagen for flying us out to Caravan Salon Dusseldorf to look at the unveiling of the VW Grand California 600 and 680. The new California based on a VW Crafter Van is an amazing in house factory conversion and has some amazing features.
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The kitchen area is very clever with the hidden extended kitchen benches. And the 2 tone exterior is striking!
Well I think Volkswagen got excellent value for money by providing you with this trip! Not sure why the larger van was 2 berths but for me it’s still your California that I love. These vans are competing with the large coach built motor caravans, I like the versatility your California provides. Mind I do like the bathroom!
Great review folks. Impressive vans 680 would be my choice
A fantastic video Shawn and Lizzie, my preference would be the 680 as well Lizzie. I said on a previous tweet that I would buy the new Grand California ahead of the older style California Ocean. This was because the new California would suit our age group better, but I would not turn my nose up at a older style California especially if Bentley came free with it.
David Caush μ
Thanks for the reviews, but I have to say, I would stick with the Ocean. I bought one a couple of months ago, in part influenced by your own experience and reasons for buying one (to replace my VW T25/T3 California). For me, it is my camper plus everyday 'car'. The Grand California looks to be competing with dedicated campervans. One thing I love about the Ocean is sleeping in the poptop, which is very much like sleeping in a tent, which I always loved. Its great to see what else is out there, but I will stick with the Ocean.
Great van for travel! Interesting video! Thanks!
Good bus for travel!
I love the 680 and would have in a two tone colour. Does seem a bit daft that the 600 is a 4 berth and the 680 is a 2 berth 😕. Great vid, thanks guys 👍
ooh get you guys.. V W flying you around the world ( well UK to Germany )
Just acquired a brand new T6 Cali Ocean (coming from T5). We are still very much pleased with the little Hotel California, especially since we also use it for daily transportation. But I am impressed with the new big Hotel California! very spacious, very modern, light and solid looking cupboards, kitchen, bathroom etc. Pleased to see that VW stayed real close to the study model. Our preference would be the 600 i guess, stil short enough to go for those little campsites and villages in Italy and France for example. A 680 you probably have to park at a parking place outside the town or village. Much surprised by the starting price! ( guessed from the study model last year it would have started somewhere around the 75K). It may become our choice after about 5/6 years when we are "old enough" to spend more time traveling around Europe! Good impression from your vlog! Thanks for that
I would go for the 680, but unfortunately way out of our price range, so we stick with our Crafter 0.600 XL 😉😂
WHY is is that VW can make a vehicle called CALIFORNIA when they are NOT even available for Americans to purchase in the US? This is nonsense.
America makes it very hard to sell it over there! Shame as a lot of people would love one there. ☹️
VW have made a great job of both but the 680 would be our choice, can’t wait to check them out in the UK - well done on a great review 👍
That's great review of a great Van good luck guys
Отличный Автодом!
Класс,..но цена!?🤔
Love the review. How do you get a job like that?😁 680 personally
Great review and love all your videos - keep up the good work! We've just ordered an Ocean and for us it has to be the 'standard' California Ocean. As there is just the two of us and the practicality of being able to get into car parks with 2m height, fit into a standard parking space and being able to use it as a second car. Cant help looking at the Grand California as a very posh ambulance conversion with the barn doors and long space under the bed!! Will reserve judgment until seeing one in the flesh!! Having to wait until November for the Ocean...!
I suppose its down to what you want it for, if its just as a camper then I would probably opt for the 680 however if its to also used as a second vehicle I don't think this will suit mainly because of parking.In a car park the length of it would overshoot an average bay by about 1.5 mtr.s which means paying double for parking, as you would have to pay for the two bays and then leave a sign in the window explaining what you have done. That aside I think the quality is what we've come to expect from VW.. Given more thought to the matter I don't think either would suit my purpose so I'd go for the California as that would suit all my needs. Once again a great video.
Looking forward to seeing them in person, it would be interesting to see them in a full colour rather than two tone. I think a full colour would work better. As for 600/680......thats tricky...600 more convenient but 680 looks pretty slick. A 600 based on the 680 design could be optimal.....I wouldn't have the roof bed...likely an expensive option that could be used elsewhere. Interesting move by VW to build on the crafter base....in Europe people will buy it no question but in the UK I am not so sure.
Good job guys for showing this amazing product!!
On another point, knowing you are air traffic controlers, flying must be a very different experience for you compared to the rest of us. You presumably can't help thinking about what actions the pilot and air traffic control are doing. What do you think about when the plane is coming into land at Dusseldorf? Do you ever worry that they might be doing the wrong thing?!
Haha, yes it is funny. We are always very confident in our colleagues ability and the Pilots! It’s amazing seeing what 1000ft vertical separation looks like out the window instead of on radar though!
Great review! Are the only engine options Diesel? I really like the interior, any idea what materials are used for the cabinets? it’s hard to tell everything is so white. I really like the digital control panel, very slick.
Very interesting, been watching since day one and you guys have come a long way, well done! Anyone who tours France will see just how many German large vans there are now (Possl etc) and VW need a slice of that. But...what's with the fully opening canvas front on the Ocean in the background??
It’s the 30 year edition Ocean. We talk about it in our Caravan Salon vlog if you want to see it in a bit more detail 😊
Like the 680 best, and as a driving vehicle the Krafter is such a great drive very nice?
Ok, this is now on the top of my wish list for one very important reason.. Imagine for a moment you're driving your Grand California through Europe (or anywhere in the world for that matter) and you experience problems with one, where do you take it for repairs..? To the next local VW garage of course. Can you do that with any other brand of motorhome..?!
upfr\\\
Fiat builds their own campers..??
Do Europe have separate van centres like in the UK?
Shame the upper beds are only 170cm :( it seems like a perfect vehicle for my roadtrip with my mates, but we're all taller than that and I wouldn't like to sleep curled up for 5 weeks😋
Come on VW.... give them one for a week to road test!
Nice review guys, we were looking forward to your video! As the ‘Cali Camper Family’ (our UA-cam Channel) we were hoping to see a 5th seat option. In our normal California we have the independent 5th seat and can easily sleep 3 kids plus two adults inside. The market generally is very limited if 5 belted seats are needed and hence as the Grand California is bigger, we were hoping for more seats and capability than the standard sized California, which is proving hard to beat. A family of 5 could sleep in the Grand, especially if the dinette could convert to another small bed - I think VW is missing a trick with flexibility here. I wonder if a rotating double seat could be installed in the cab (to make it 3 abreast seating in the front) and if VW would offer this as a solution to allow 5 travelling seats. We would love to make it work for us, as the 600 would potentially be a nice move for the CaliCamperFamily in the future. Well done guys, thanks for getting the video out asap..👍🏻
Great review - S & L you are going places, flown out by VW eh! They must like your videos and reviews too! Nice one. Hope you got a gift for Bentley whilst out there though 😊
Interesting vans, I probably prefer the 680 but will stick with our lovely Cali Ocean. We use it as our second vehicle and the Grand Californias wouldn’t work for us as they are too big to go in a normal parking space. The Grand California vans seem more like motorhomes than campervans and although they look well done they're not for us at the moment (although the bathrooms looked tempting!) We will no doubt check them out in the flesh when they come into dealerships however! Thanks for showing us round them both so well in such a short time.
Hope Shaun enjoyed checking out the control tower in the light!! 🤣
Nice vid..... 680 for me and the Mrs. thing I am most curious about is mpg?
Got a good clue for some overhead cabinet hardware as well with the word "Häfele" that VW used for the overhead cabinets. :) They make really nice fittings which may well come in handy for my own campervan build. Those hinge-and-lifter in one units are killer (which you also note when going through the 680).
Loving the 680 more
VW were clearly inspired by your video on how to fit a mood lighting strip. You should expect more royaltiis from them. Not so keen on the bulbous roof on the 600, looks like a badly fitting toupee. Overall I prefer the look of the Ocean. Another great video from you.
The price starting from 55000€, and squalid plastic sink.....
That hump puts me off the 600, the 680 seems very nice. Have they updated the Ocean/Beach for 2019?
Well done guys 👍prefer the 680 , the only thing I don’t like is the sink in the bathroom, great review, I’m sure you will be doing a live in test soon x
Great review and really interesting vans. Like you I expected these to be a lot more expensive, especially being VW’s. I much prefer the 680 as the 600 bed would be too short for my husband. We are still debating whether to go for VW campervan or motorhome. After watching your videos for some time we have hired a VW T6 for a few weeks so we can holiday in the south of France & try to make a decision about what will work for us. It’s the usual debate of internal space versus accessibility of parking etc. However having tried out a motorhome last year in Scotland we really didn’t find any issues. My biggest concern with the camper is not having a bathroom as we want to do more wild camping and be more self sufficient. 😁
Amazing looking vehicles. This will be my retirement present, a 600 with 4motion, DSG and the most powerful engine; in the meantime I will make do with my new T6 Ocean which was delivered 2 days ago 😀
680 for us if we had the cash that is but to be honest we are over the moon with our new, to us, 57 plate cali we have just purchased inspired by you guys. 👍
I think for me it would be the 680 because I'm not that keen on the look of the 600 roof .
I'm surprised that vw have not tried to make a bed setup for the front seating area !
Good video guys 👍
Love the review great job to ye both
I have a California Coast which i love as it is my car and camper
Like the new Cali Grand esp the 680 lots of goodies esp the bathroom bit i dont think i would like to drive it as an every day vehicle
Thanks for a brilliant review 😎
Hi, I love watching your videos. Keep up the good vibes guys and I am hoping you would also make a review on the westfalia Amundsen 540d the off-road one. Thanks and God bless
Maybe in Germany people will be able to get the Grand California 600 for 55K (as Autobild.de and you say), but in Spain Model 600 costs 72K euros and 680 costs 74K, when California T6 Ocean costs 48K (+ extras).
Brilliant video once again but the Van isn’t for me it’s just ugly and doesn’t follow the original California ethos. I don’t like the sprinter I mean Crafter as a Van though that’s probably why. The mood lightning was the best part. Keep up the brilliant videos 👍🏼
VW missed the boat for those of us who want a top-build live-aboard by not offering the bed in the 680 as a side to side, meaning you would have more space for cabinet and counter space and/or larger appliances (fridge, convection/microwave oven, sink). In addition, I would make this bed permanent, ensuring a better quality mattress instead of cushion pieces, and taller which means a taller and fully opened garage space below which of course would be accessible from the rear doors. Finally, remove the double seat and replace it with counter/cabinet space; the driver and passenger seat can face each other and a fold up table would complete the dining room.
Great review thanks as we have kids the 600 is better but a 4 berth 680 would be good
The problem is,the 680 version,with 6.8m length,is illegal to drive with small-car(or something other like this) lincese in many countries
Great review and thorough van tour. Love the 680 in particular, fab for couples and singletons.
Weird why was there a camera in the hotel room when you came in ? Scary. Wouldn't stay there. That van is called the 'grand' as its 20 grand too fucking expensive.
Hi! Does it have a double floor and is it winter proof? :-)
Can you use the heater on electricity when hooked up to the mains as well? Thanks for a nice video and first look.
too big better with the standard California because you can use it everyday you won't have to buy a second car ., too expensive it will be 100k after options before you spend 100k you got have five hundred thousand pound + in the bank if you were buying it in cash .,and if you were a millionaire you wouldn't want to spend time in a camper
It looks like there is enough room for a bunk bed in the back over the rear door bed. Why not utilize the area as sleeping quarters for FOUR people? Why a waste of space.
Hello, nice video.
I couldn't see how much room there was in the cupboards in the sleeping area.
The bottom one don't seem big enough to hold much as they seem to be shallow at the bottom. The ones above don't look too deep either.
Do you think they could store clothes or just nick nacks?
I want one ... tell them to send it to the USA 🇺🇸.... my 1987 Vanagon is getting tired ... lol but still rolling !! Maybe I can buy one there drive it around Europe & ship it to the USA 🇺🇸
Good Luck getting it shipped to the USA. EPA/DOT certifications will be costly.
Scott Anson VW diesel gate have authorities very wary with the VW brand! I see Mercedes might be going to get it in the neck as well!
I lost you guys for a while but now your back .... happy camping days haha!!! 👍🤩🤪
ya two brits a really sympathetic .... cheers from germany (not a word about complaining that this and that and also that and this is quite continental like some others) Lol
Slightly longer than 6meters is simply wrong. Could have seriously considered 6 meter one without the hump.
I love it! But why would you power it with a tiny 2 litre engine? Larger engines live longer and don’t break down as easily because they’re not working as hard.
Great point about the flat floor. Such an important feature for the four pawed owner. 🐾 🐾 Although I think our lurcher would just hop straight into the bed. 🙄
Can Volkswagen PLEASE get the Koreans to engineer and build this new van.. then it might be nice.
the only attractive part is the van designed with high roof and prepared for camper. I would be happy with the shell
Great to have you back again, kind of missed the video clips. The new 600 and 680 are great looking vans, but to be honest, the misses and I still like the single bed idea, as older pensioners, we do tend to get out at night at least twice in the night so to have to climb over each other would cause problems. Keep up the good work, your doing a great job of making campervan life what everyone needs to get into. And you are really selling V.W. Mike and Maureen Palmer.
680 is practically a single bed solution. You are sleeping lenghtwise as in motorhome with separate beds and don't need to crawl over anybody...unless you want to
Thank Timo for the reply, however, we feel that the 680 although a fantastic van is far to big for us, we plan to use our van as our only transport, so for us it has to be around the 5 meter mark to get us into supermarket car parks and through the A and B roads of Somerset where we live, and of course single beds. and thank you for the info. Mike Palmer.
Thanks for showing us around. It was very difficult to get even near those vans on the caravan salon. But why start queuing up, when you are there with the camera ;-) Personally would prefer the 680. Loved the size of the bed.
Are they using lithium-ion for leisure batteries? How many amp-hours in total?
I enjoyed this vid - even though I went on the stand to have a look, I couldn’t really get inside either of the van as there were big queues, so nice to have a tour. I think the fridges are small for the size of van, especially for four people on the 600, but maybe they are bigger than they appeared on camera. The beds in the 680 are level with the windows, meaning that might be easy to damage the blinds with your knees or elbows when asleep? The totally white cabinets are a bit too sterile for my taste and some colour trims might add some contrast. A van at this price shouldn’t have a tip up sink and should have a proper shower.
Jonathan Mead, totally agree with all your comments the white interior is far too clinical.
Why has Volkswagen forsaken us, the United States? We love the Transporter series and would definitely love all over the Crafter. The 680 would be my choice.
I've given up on Volkswagen sending any camper van to the USA. I'm searching out a company here in America that will convert a domestic van into a camper.
Wow, just need those numbers to come in on Saturday night, great video as always - Bentley would love the VW 680 👍🏻
Great review. You guys have the coolest vans in Europe. We pale in comparison in the states
I just emailed Hinrich about this issue. Bring these vans to North America!
I honestly thought the reason why we don't have these vans here in US was because here we have too many cool options. I really think the VW California is amazing but I had seen a lots of cheaper options here. (Also cheaper materials). :)
I don't understand why the larger van only has one bed and the small has two shouldn't it be the other way around?
it kind of looks like a cramped aircraft galley mixed with the inside of a fridge
The top bed had actually an extension so you have 2 mtr. on one side …
Just one question is this van going to have the side door on the correct side for the UK? Or will it just be a European layout with a right hand drive conversion like the t5, t6 california.?
Good question. I imagine it'll be the same as the ocean and just available on the European side
Maybe if you take your shoes off you will fit comfortably in the bed
600 can fit 4 people so I would go for that, for unexpected visitors, friends or relatives.
170cm bed, you need to have short relatives. It's just for kids, which I think is a miss
Great review guys, thank you.
Why do they call them the California and not sell them in the USA?
Will this be available in the USA? If not is it possible to import it?
Отличный кемпер для путешествий! 👍 🇨🇦
I can't help but think this is VW's answer to bringing the California brand to America. The T6 Californias aren't available there but maybe this will be? I still can't believe the quoted price... cheaper than my soon to be delivered Ocean.
VW has not sold the EuroVan in the USA since 2005 (?). The best way to get a T5/T6B into the USA is buying one through a grey market importer (read: some one who imports European cars to bypass DOT/EPA regulations, as those 500/560 SELs/SLs during the mid-1980's). See Also Left Hand Utes, a Colorado importer of Holden Utes converted to LHD.
@@P00katube My comment was more around that VW may think that a larger Crafter based vehicle would be more popular for the American market rather than the smaller T6 platform.
Useless fridge, didn't see any fans, 680 bed with hole. What is that about? The isle is ridiculously narrow. No refillable gas bottles? Back breaker getting them out of that locker. Overhead lockers are style over substance. For every normal locker, in this van you have double the hinge & lock weight. Do these come with fitted cab blinds? They should do at this price. I think they'll sell like hot cakes. More money than sense.
I think those combined hinges/lifters are amazing. The fridge is also pretty decent for a campervan / class B. Lots of people who self-build have smaller ones. Of course the isle is narrow, it's a van. There is no space for wide isles. As for the gas thing, I agree, but refillable gas tanks that are mounted to the vehicle are less common in Europe than the US I believe. Not sure, haven't owned a gas-operated camper van and have no plans to. I think it's a decent effort, but it doesn't wow me the way, say, an American "Advanced RV" custom build does. But, you can buy several of the Grand Californias for the price of one of those.
@@lorcro2000 so sun beating down & a warm wind, then you open the fridge right by the open door. Suppose you could close the side door every time you open the fridge.
Alternatively, you're hauling home a heavy load of groceries, so instead of clambering into the van, you just slide open the fridge and load it right then and there. There are upsides and downsides to that placement.
@@lorcro2000 yep, even more time for your fridge to warm up.
Yup. Such a shame that there isn't a compressor and stuff in there to chill it back down after you fill it... oh, wait.
Having 2 kids the 600 would seem the obvious choice. However our 13 yr old is 5ft 10inch so wouldn’t fit in that bed. So a total waste. For us it’s still the standard VW with the pop top!
Great review!
Knaus Boxlife 600, or Autotrail Tribute 669, both under 6M and proper 4 berths in a Panel Van with bathroom, ovens etc.
just do diy weld/screw on it pair of sliders extension and done.
I like your video well done
Do they allow imports for this vehicle.
cosy like dental laboratory :D
Like the look of both. No doubt about the quality. VW DSG gearboxes frighten me! The cost of repair to those would break the bank of most retirees! The manual gearboxes are the ones I would choose! A good review! 👍🍾
The 8-speed should be a normal converter automatic. VW DSG´s are 7-speed.
Volker True That’s ok then. Many broken hearts around the world with those DSG boxes!
The new Crafter has a torque converter epicyclic 8-speed trans. The Transporter T6 has a 7-speed wet-clutch DSG, which is a fairly reliable box...! Reliability questions of double-clutch automated transmissions mainly concerned the first dry-clutch versions - from VW, Ford and various other manufacturers. Cheers.
Another great video review.
You two are so great at this so natural ❤
can i get the 680 with auto and right hand drive ?
Really like your vlog. Seems that the kids bed on the 600 is an option that as a couple retired to France we would not need. We have a 6.7M Hymer that was our home when we were house hunting but would be tricky to park on the market place of the village where we live. Auto is my choice since I broke my leg & makes motor-homing so much easier. Had a VW T6 AS Trooper years ago & best drive of those that we've owned, Fiat & Merc. Would love one of these if only we can afford it. Thanks again
Thanks for watching Roger 😊
wow, $90,000 dollars to start.
What about your ebikes?
I would like to know towing capacity of the vehicles (engine options). In addition, I would be interested in a 4 wheel drive version.
The 680 is coming in a four wheel drive version
Against the Westfalia Columbus or the Westfalia Sven Hedin they will struggle. Even the Knaus Boxlife 600 has a better layout and innovation. Both the Westfalia and Knaus have much better heritage in this kind of market and it shows through. VW still got a lot to learn in this sector. People will buy for the badge, but the Westfalia products kill it on Prestige in this market. And then there are the Hymer Car range too at this size, another fantastic quality product for less than the VW
Even If I could bring one back to USA, I need to know if it’s a clean diesel,, I saw a video of quite a different VW, 6spd diesel,,but was Swiss registered, passing through New Jersey, to Halifax NS to ship back., from months in South America, no low sulphur diesel there.
You probably already know our feelings about the grand. I think it could have been so much more. Maybe for a little more cash it could have been the van promised via the concept van.
Thank for the look around. Rod & Julie.
im thinking if toilet/bath and cooking cabinet at the back it would give more room to seats/bed and no 'blocker' at the middle of the van.
yeah, since i want to use it for traveling (in two), Electric Induction Cooker , a Microwave and a Freezer is more than enough for me. (plus perhaps small portable camping gas cooker).
BTW, oem top storage compartment looks nice & neat.
Just to be fussy, I think I'd like the 680 features and height with a transverse bed on the 600 length chassis!
It's a shame they didn't steal the Westfalia style window pop out for the transverse bed.
A fully electric option with lithium and electric underfloor heating would be nice!
What's the headroom in the 680?
The pricing looks competitive compared to other crafter conversions.
how come? supposed to be 195cm and you are 180cm and you are wedged? great video thanks
Very disappointed ... after seeing the prototype last year I was expecting some of that innovation in the van .... but it’s the same old layout of all European vans
No surprises there. Cheap basic £ and everything you would actually want on either van is an option at extra cost. It would still be a £70k+ van by the time you spec one as you'd want one in the UK IMHO so there is a lot of decent competition from Hymercar, Westfalia, Adria & many more besides.
I also still think Westfalia do things better.
Lets face it the fridge concept is 'borrowed' from their Sven Hedin VW Crafter conversion, as are the locking drawer catches from the same parts supplier etc etc.
Diesel heating/Hot water an option! 😳 it's STD on an Ocean, Westfalia & Wellhouse van conversions etc etc
Internal water tanks as well?? Most van conversions have these underbody for CofG or at least central between the axles under the 1/2 dinette. 110kg+ of water above the axles/floor in the back is not good for handling! I think VW still have some lessons to learn on bigger van conversions.
680. Just because I'm 6ft and my husband is 7ft. He will have to stick his feet onto the kitchen in the 680 😂
But we have been looking at conversions, and the Tonke longwheelbase comes with a pop top bed that's 230cm long! So that would be the most ideal candidate for us. (or try to get one of those pop tops and install it after market on a California).