As Kiwis will be spending their foreseeable future breaks with ‘staycations’, we can expect to see an increase in campervan and caravan sales, so Volkswagen Commercial NZ has the ultimate transportation, the Kombi van’s ‘big brother’.

 Arriving in New Zealand this spring, the Grand California is the successor to the 1970s Kombi van that lots of Kiwis would have driven in their OE around Europe for many years.

But the Grand California is the ideal getaway for Gen-Xers who toured in the Kombi, as it offers luxury sleeping, a kitchen and most importantly, a toilet and shower!

The Grand California is based on the VW Crafter platform and comes as a four-wheel-drive paired with a 2-litre diesel engine generation 130kW and 410Nm of torque.

It also has 360 degree parking sensors (all the better to navigate into campground spots), plus cruise control and advanced safety features.

For VW NZ Commercial general manager, Kevin Richards, the Grand California also harks back to Kombi memories.

“Take the iconic two-tone paint finish, a more sophisticated interior and you have got an adventure that awaits, just a slightly more grown up version,” he said.

There is also a queen size bed for the adults and a panoramic sky roof bed for the kids. 

“Setting the benchmark for adventure, the 4Motion four-wheel-drive drivetrain means you can confidently take the ‘road less travelled’,” says Richards.

“Having four-wheel-drive as standard across the range means you can really explore the far flung places that most motorhomes simply can’t get to.”

There are two model types, with the price starting from $159,000.