Skip advert
Advertisement

New 2023 Volkswagen California Surf camper van breaks cover

A new Surf trim level has been added to Volkswagen’s California camper van, offering a host of standard-fit living appliances for £68,234

Volkswagen California Surf camper van

The Volkswagen California has been a staple in the firm's commercial vehicle line-up for years. And while we await the all-electric ID. Buzz-based camper van that’s due to arrive by the middle of the decade, a new trim level has been added to the current diesel Transporter-derived model to broaden its appeal. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Called the California Surf, the new addition sits between the current Beach Tour and Ocean models, costing from £68,234. A variety of camping essentials are included with the Surf as standard, although it remains mechanically identical to other Californias.

Based on the T6.1 Transporter van, the California Surf uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine developing 148bhp, which drives through a seven-speed automatic gearbox - the more powerful 201bhp diesel unit remains exclusive to the flagship California Ocean. Nevertheless, the Surf's cabin is kitted out with a gas hob and a stainless steel sink as part of its kitchen arrangements, along with a pop-up canvas roof. 

Buyers can choose between four and seven-seat configurations inside, with a bench seat that can be converted into a bed. Coupled with the onboard loft bed, the California Surf can comfortably sleep a family of four, according to Volkswagen. 

Three-zone climate control is included in the asking price, too, as well as an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen set into the dashboard. This offers Bluetooth connectivity and smartphone app mirroring, and as with the rest of the range, a suite of driver assists are fitted to the Surf as standard. These include adaptive cruise control, crosswind compensation and trailer assist, which allows the rear park sensors to function while towing. 

The California Surf is also equipped with heated front seats and 16-inch alloys, and as with other models in the line-up, it’s likely to be available with a distinctive two-tone paint finish to mark it out from traditional Transporter panel vans. 

Click here for our review of the Volkswagen Grand California...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New 2025 Volkswagen California camper available to order now, ready for next summer
New Volkswagen California Beach, Coast and Ocean

New 2025 Volkswagen California camper available to order now, ready for next summer

Deliveries will begin before the end of the year for petrol and diesel models, while eHybrid plug-in version with 55-mile EV range is coming in 2025
News
8 Nov 2024
New Volkswagen California 2024 review: still the camper van king
Volkswagen California - front

New Volkswagen California 2024 review: still the camper van king

The new Volkswagen California camper hasn't necessarily changed for the better, but it's still a tough act to beat
Road tests
13 Aug 2024
New Volkswagen California camper is a plug-in hybrid home from home
Volkswagen California - front

New Volkswagen California camper is a plug-in hybrid home from home

VW’s revered campervan is back, and UK specifications show it’ll have more clever features than ever
News
12 Aug 2024
Full range of electric VW campervans incoming, says CEO
3 Volkswagen Californias on a beach

Full range of electric VW campervans incoming, says CEO

VW’s head of commercial vehicles has revealed plans for a line-up of EV California campervans are already in motion
News
8 May 2024

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month
Mazda CX-5

Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month

The Mazda CX-5 is fun to drive, features a driver-focused, premium interior and is our Deal of the Day for 9 February
News
9 Feb 2025
The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027
Fiat Panda Cross - front static

The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027

Fiat will build a new city-sized Pandina based on the new 500 platform, bringing a proper, petrol powered A-segment city car to market as early as 202…
News
12 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts