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Default-choice camper van has made the landmark switch to a car platform for its T7 generation

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Think about camper vans and the Volkswagen California is likely what you see in your mind's eye. Which makes sense, because its ancestry can be traced back to 1950s conversions of the original Type 2 van.

A lot has changed since then, obviously, and the new California actually is the first to not be based on a Volkswagen Transporter van, instead sharing its mechanical make-up with the long-wheelbase Volkswagen Multivan MPV, which sits on a car platform.

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DESIGN & STYLING

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Usefully, this new platform makes the latest California 269mm longer than the previous one, increasing its interior space.

It also means it can offer a 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain. With a total of 242bhp being fed to all four wheels, the eHybrid feels pretty potent off the line and promises to keep your bills down, with an electric-only range of around 56 miles.

There’s also a 201bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol four, but given how inefficient that is in the lighter Multivan, we suspect most will go for the 148bhp diesel equivalent.

It’s smooth enough and has plenty of grunt to get a camper van laden with luggage, people and a small kitchen up to speed easily. Only the slow seven-speed automatic gearbox tends to let it down, especially on hilly country roads.

INTERIOR

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The most important thing about a camper van is what it's like inside. And here it’s immediately obvious that Volkswagen has been doing them for a long time, learning what people actually want instead of just looking at mood boards and guessing.

For example, customers reported that they don’t need a large fridge and cooker, so those have been made smaller and rearranged, making for more interior space and, for the first time, access to the interior from not one but two sliding doors. Combined with an optional awning on both sides, that doubles your potential camping space.

The 5.0in camping control touchscreen on the C-pillar is a great idea, so it's a shame that it’s frustratingly slow to respond to inputs.

There’s loads of space inside the California for four people to get comfortable (or five if you go for the more MPV-like Beach Camper version) as you drive around.

And once you pitch up for the night, raising the pop-up roof (electrically on the range-topping Ocean) gives you easily enough space to stand when the bed isn’t in place.

All versions of the California have two decent-sized beds, one with the rear seats folded and one up in the roof.

It’s a nice place to live for a few days, and our only real demerits are that setting the bed up is a bit of faff and that some storage has been lost by converting the rear bench into individual seats.

That’s not to say you will struggle to bring everything along, mind, because you will still find drawers, cubbies and cupboards pretty much everywhere.

RIDE & HANDLING

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Moving away from a van platform has done wonders for the California's ride comfort.

Whereas the previous version rocked you around in your seat and thudded heavily through every imperfection, this new version is much better, remaining calmer as you drive along and only creating a slight thud as you drive over large imperfections.

What’s more, while it’s obviously no sports car, it steers well and controls its body lean better than both the Ford Transit Nugget and Mercedes-Benz V-Class Marco Polo.

MPG & RUNNING COSTS

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Three trims are confirmed for the UK (Beach Camper, Coast and Ocean), with all getting a 10in touchscreen infotainment system, climate control and a (painfully slow) 5.0in camping control touchscreen in the rear.

Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but we expect it to remain roughly the same as the previous version, placing it between the Nugget and Marco Polo.

VERDICT

The platform swap has worked wonders for the California's ride, handling and general on-road civility. It also adds the option of a plug-in hybrid powertrain, which is a plus, even if we would stick with the diesel.

Meanwhile, the California continues demonstrates Volkswagen's experience with in-house camper conversions. The interior is well thought out and even more spacious than before, making it a good home away from home.