VW California and Multivan gain PHEV power and four-wheel drive

For many campervan enthusiasts, the lure of going off-grid to somewhere a little more remote with minimal environmental impact is strong – so the combination of four-wheel drive and plug-in hybrid power is appealing.

The Volkswagen California PHEV may just scratch that itch – and there’s similar appeal for those seeking seven seats, because the same setup also features in the new VW Multivan PHEV.

Both models are mechanically identical in all their forms, and for the new PHEV versions, dubbed eHybrid 4Motion, they blend a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, a 19.7kWh (usable) capacity battery, and a pair of electric motors. With 242bhp available, these new models are the most powerful in their respective ranges.

They can travel up to 57 miles on electric alone, under official figures, and can accept up to 50kW from a public charger, meaning a 10-80% charge takes 26 minutes. They can also accept up to 11kW from a home charger. 

The California and Multivan PHEV can run in electric driving mode, hybrid, or in four-wheel drive. Both can travel at up to 81mph using electricity alone, and depending on drive mode and speed, they will run in either front- or four-wheel drive configurations.

Hybrid mode means the vehicles will prioritise electric power, with the engine kicking in when hard acceleration is required or when the battery runs down. Depending on specification, hybrid fuel economy is 37.6mpg under official figures.

The 1.5-litre engine drives the front wheels, and there’s one motor on each axle – because of this, the California and Multivan PHEVs can control the amount of power to the front and rear wheels precisely, allowing more power to be sent to the wheels with the most grip. That’s particularly useful when crossing wet or muddy fields or icy roads.

Because the engine can act as a generator to power the rear motor, both vehicles can function in four-wheel drive even when the battery is flat.

An electric stationary air-conditioning system is fitted as standard, which can be used to heat or cool both vehicles when charging or parked. When camping in the California, it replaces the engine-powered auxiliary heater.

The California eHybrid 4Motion costs from £71,295, a premium of £7814 over the diesel equivalent. The Multivan PHEV starts at £55,525, £5192 more than the cheapest diesel.

Read more: Best campervans

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