VW launches new hybrid California campervan

Volkswagen has opened the order books for its new California plug-in hybrid camper van.

The VW California eHybrid 4MOTION uses a 19.7kWh lithium-ion battery to give it a range of 54 miles, according to the WLTP test cycle.

It's the first time the iconic California campervan has been given a hybrid powertrain, and with a 4Motion four-wheel-drive driveline it's now even more suitable for some proper wild camping.

The electric motor works in conjunction with a 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine to extend the range of the van making it possible to go a lot futher than the 50 mile electric-only range. It also gets a towing capacity of up to 1,600kg - easily enough for pulling a trailer with a few motorbikes or your boat or jetski.

It's available in a choice of three different trim levels with Beach Camper, Coast and Ocean options.

Aside from the engine and motor, the California Hybrid is exactly the same as the regular diesel and petrol campers with two sliding doors as standard, redesigned kitchen and external folding table.

Prices start at a pretty punchy £71,295 which sounds like a lot, but is actually around 10% cheaper than a top-spec diesel model.

If you can't stomach a whopping great chunk of cash upfront, though, it's available on a monthly of £739 if you'd like it on a 0% Hire Purchase finance agreement, which is a special introductory offer to mark order books opening.

The 0% offer will be available until 30 June on the Beach Camper 245PS eHybrid 1.5 TSI 4MOTION. It's a 48-month, 10,000-mile agreement from Volkswagen Financial Services.

Details of the pricing for the California Beach Camper hybrid and the California Ocean diesel van are below.