Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles showcases its complete world of modern camping solutions at CARAVAN S

• Two world premieres: the ID. California Cruise and an innovative camping concept for the California Beach
• The complete California World in Hall 16

• Numerous motorhomes and campervans based on Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles models displayed across the exhibition grounds

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is presenting the full breadth of its leisure vehicle and motorhome portfolio at CARAVAN SALON 2026. Taking centre stage on the brand’s stand in Hall 16 are two world premieres: the new ID. California Cruise and a camping concept for the California Beach developed jointly with the Stuff Bubble brand. In addition, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will showcase the complete California family, ranging from the compact Caddy California (not available in the UK) to the fully-equipped Grand California motorhome. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is the only vehicle manufacturer to develop an entire campervan family in-house and manufacture it at its own plants. At its headquarters in Hanover, where the California has been produced since 2004, the 250,000th California built there was handed over to a customer in July this year.

World premiere 1: ID. California Cruise One of the highlights of the show is the world premiere of the ID. California Cruise. Based on the fully-electric ID. Buzz, the new model brings its iconic design, locally emission-free drive system and modern interior concept to the California World for the first time. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is thus providing an initial preview of the electric future of the California family. The ID. California Cruise marks the start of a new generation of fully-electric campervans that will be expanded progressively over the coming years.

World premiere 2: Innovative modular camping solution for the California Beach
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is also presenting, for the first time, a modular camping concept for the California Beach developed jointly with Stuff Bubble. The young company specialises in lightweight, modular camping solutions and contributes a fresh perspective on flexible vehicle use. Combined with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ extensive California expertise, this has resulted in a concept that adds further camping functionality without compromising the vehicle’s everyday practicality. At CARAVAN SALON, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will engage directly with customers to gather feedback on potential future solutions.

Show premiere: The new California
The current California family forms the centrepiece of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles stand in Hall 16. At the time of CARAVAN SALON, the new California gains additional comfort and camping features designed to make both everyday use and camping easier. These include an optional electrically-operated tailgate for the first time, as well as an enhanced heating and air-conditioning function with night-time temperature setback. Another new feature is a roof-bed air outlet that directs warm air specifically into the upper sleeping area, providing a noticeable increase in comfort on cooler nights.

The California continues to be available with three powertrain options: an efficient TDI diesel for long-distance travel, a powerful TSI petrol engine and the eHybrid 4MOTION plug-in hybrid. The plug-in hybrid offers particular advantages when camping: it enables all-electric driving on regional journeys, delivers a system output of 180 kW through its combination with the efficient TSI engine, features all-wheel drive and will in future be able to operate the stationary air-conditioning system for up to eight hours. This ensures that the California remains a versatile companion for everyday use, travel and extended stays on a pitch.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is also displaying the new California Ocean ‘Generation’ at a show for the first time. The show premiere of this exclusive special-edition model complements the two world premieres on the stand and underlines the diversity of the California family. The California Ocean ‘Generation’ is aimed at customers who place particular emphasis on design and equipment. Special seat upholstery, exclusive interior details, striking alloy wheels and an optional two-tone paint finish give the vehicle a distinctive appearance.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is additionally presenting a new Aero Kit for the California. Developed in collaboration with ABT Sportsline, it creates a particularly sporty interpretation of the popular campervan. The package includes a front spoiler, air-intake trims, prominent side strips, a rear apron and 20-inch alloy wheels in ‘halo’ design. These components give the California an individual and dynamic appearance without affecting its versatile camping and everyday qualities. The package is aimed at customers who place particular value on an individual vehicle look. The ABT aerodynamic package will also be available for the Multivan, further expanding Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ range of sportily styled vehicles.

Production milestone: 250,000 California models from Hanover Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has reached a significant milestone: the 250,000th California has been produced in Hanover and handed over to its new owner. Europe’s most successful campervan is thus continuing its success story at the plant. With the fifth generation of the T-series, the brand assumed responsibility for producing the model itself from 2003 onwards. The customer from Munich collected his new California Coast from the Customer Centre in Hanover and immediately set off on its first journey to Switzerland.

Show premiere: The new Caddy California
The Caddy California (not available in the UK) is the entry point into the California World. This compact leisure vehicle makes spontaneous overnight stays in the vehicle possible while remaining fully suitable for everyday use. It features a fold-out bed in the rear, blackout elements, overnight ventilation and practical storage solutions. An optional mini-kitchen at the rear, with pull-out modules, a gas hob and a work surface, further enhances the camping concept. Matching outdoor camping furniture is also part of the concept, as it is with the larger California models. As the most compact camper from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, the Caddy California is aimed primarily at active customers looking for an especially manoeuvrable micro-camper for everyday use, leisure activities, short trips and spontaneous overnight stays.

Grand California
For customers who require more space, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is displaying the Grand California. Based on the Crafter, it is the largest model in the California family and offers the comfort of a fully-equipped motorhome, with a permanent sleeping area, kitchen, washroom with shower and toilet, and a living and dining area.

It is available in two versions: the Grand California 600, approximately six metres long with a transverse bed at the rear and an optional overcab bed, and the Grand California 680, with longitudinal beds and a particularly spacious sleeping area. New features for the 2027 model year include optional lithium iron phosphate batteries, an optional solar package for extended off-grid camping, additional assistance and digital functions, and upgraded interior details.

California World
The California App is being expanded further for trip planning, campsite searches and organising journeys while on the road, including upgrades to the campsite search functionality. Charging stations will be displayed directly in the planner, making journeys with the ID. California Cruise and plug-in hybrid models even easier to prepare.

The in-car app is aligning with the mobile app, with a map view and additional information available directly in the vehicle. Visitors will be able to experience the future of the in-car app at the show: together with Autopay, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will demonstrate how the purchase and display of digital motorway vignettes can be integrated directly into the infotainment system.

Exhibition stand
From spontaneous weekend breaks to extended journeys, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is showcasing the full breadth of the California Welt at CARAVAN SALON 2026. The range extends from compact leisure vehicles and classic campervans to fully-equipped motorhomes and, with the ID. California Cruise, for the first time towards a fully-electric future.

The following vehicles will be displayed on the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles stand:

Caddy California Maxi
ID. California Cruise
California Beach
California Beach Tour
ABT California Ocean
California Ocean Generation
Grand California 600
Grand California Dune 680

Campervans based on Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles models
In addition, numerous bodybuilders and conversion specialists across the exhibition grounds will present motorhomes and campervans based on Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles models. The spectrum ranges from compact micro-campers and versatile camper vans to leisure vehicles based on pick-ups and large motorhomes.

Selected bodybuilders and conversion specialists using Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles models (alphabetical)

Adria (Hall 10)
Adria Compact Max (semi-integrated motorhome based on the VW Crafter)

Carado (Hall 6)
CV595 4×4 X-Edition (campervan based on the VW Crafter)

Dethleffs (Hall 6)
Globetrail Performance (campervan based on the VW Crafter)
Globebus Performance 4×4 (semi-integrated motorhome based on the VW Crafter)

Eriba (Hall 6)
Eriba Car 600 & 602 (campervans based on the VW Crafter)

KEC (Hall 15)
Campervans based on the VW Transporter

Knaus (Hall 1)
VAN TI VW VANSATION (semi-integrated motorhome based on the VW Crafter)
SKY TI VW (semi-integrated motorhome based on the VW Crafter with a new wheelbase)

Outbase (Hall 15)
Campervans based on the VW ID. Buzz

Reimo (Hall 15)
Campervans based on the VW Caddy, VW Transporter and VW Multivan

Rhön Camp (Hall 15)
New Ultimate (campervan based on the VW Transporter)

Spacecamper (Hall 15)
Classic (campervan based on the VW Caravelle and VW Multivan)
Modular (campervan based on the VW Multivan)

Terracamper (Hall 15)
Campervans based on the VW Transporter and VW Crafter

Tischer (Hall 12)
Trail 280 S (demountable camper body for the VW Transporter)
Box/Trail (demountable camper body for the VW Amarok)

Tonke (Hall 12)
Campervans based on the VW ID. Buzz and VW Transporter

Wavecamper (Hall 12)
Campervans based on the VW Transporter

Werz (Hall 15)
Camper (campervan based on the VW Transporter
Photo credit: Volkswagen
Posted on Autotech-plus.com

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