Volkswagen has unveiled some futuristic looking cars this year, but nothing makes us want to hit the road more than the new California XXL. With all of the amenities of a tiny home, the XXL promises to be the future of RVing. It's basically glamping in a one-bedroom apartment on wheels.
Similar to most campers on the market, this adventure van has a bed, kitchenette, and living area. But the XXL also has sophisticated features like a roof that pops up for an additional 7.2 feet of head room, a retractable wet room, a heated and cooled bed, an extendible work surface, and underfloor heating. The interior of the van is just as sleek as the exterior, with wrap-around dual ambient lighting and a panoramic roof that's made for stargazing.
Although the space may seem small (it is still a van, after all), the XXL can literally grow. The bathroom expands from just under four square feet to eight — with a sink, shower and toilet. The kitchen has space for a sink, gas stove, fridge, and even an espresso machine as well as a countertop that can transform into X-shaped burners for cooking.
There's also plenty of sleeping room with a two-person loft above the front seats and room for two more guests in the back on a 6.5-foot-by-5.5-foot bed. These spaces retract quickly, of course, so owners can hit the road in a matter of minutes.
Another futuristic touch? The California XXL App, which controls almost everything: Users can change lighting, close the skylight, and interact with the camper's onboard entertainment system, which includes an LCD projector on to the bathroom wall.
The new model expands on he popularity of the original California, and incorporates elements from the company's new Crafter van, which auto experts say is Volkswagen's response to competitors like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ram Promaster. The California XXL is still in the concept stage, but was shown in Germany at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon in late August.
Despite its West Coast name, the van isn't yet sold in the United States, so we'll have to admire it from overseas for now while dreaming of our next road trip.
(h/t Curbed)
