First ride in Grand California: Place there?

At 40 kilometers per hour, the Grand California winds up the serpentines of Gran Canaria. A few curves further up, the turquoise buses are already appearing, shooting down the narrow street at high speed. A glance to the right revealed: The unlimited roadside is only 20 centimeters away - behind it goes a hundred meters steeply downhill. The experienced bus driver is not impressed. Determined, he rushes past with undiminished speed - everything went well.

For the first time in almost 70 years, Volkswagen is offering the legendary Bulli another camping bus: the Grand California. VW's new camping flagship is as easy to navigate on the narrow island roads as a conventional car, which, given a length of six meters and a height of almost three meters is not self-evident. Already after the first kilometers one forgot the size of the camping bus and takes the curves as optimistic as the Spanish islanders. Larger gradients are not an issue with the 177-hp 2.0-liter turbodiesel and the eight-speed automatic.

The Camper based on the Crafter is not only much larger, but also has a revolutionary change in the layout for the manufacturer: For the first time there is the Bulli with a full bathroom with shower on board. This brings more independence from campsites - but also space problems in the interior with it.

Bed, refrigerator, gas cooker and sink - for almost seven decades, the VW Bulli is the epitome of wanderlust, adventure and independence. One thing he has always been missing, however, to enjoy the road trip completely independent of campsites can: a wet room.

Exactly the Grand California has now on board. A 82 cm wide and long camping bath with shower, folding sink, toilet and a few cupboards. Extensive morning care is no problem, as is a warm shower after a strenuous hike through nature. The water comes from a 110 liter fresh water tank.

So equipped the Grand Bulli is almost suitable for the "Glamping", so the luxurious variants of the original Dosenravioli leave for the little man. But the upscale camper in the Grand California asks a central question: where to go with the fine camping thread? While the center of the driver's side of the shower cubicle means more freedom on the street, the interior space makes it more space-especially in the cupboards.

Little storage space in the cabinets

Because they were - rounded down for design reasons - down, so the interior "airy" and not cramped acts, as it is called VW. This reduces the storage space so much that T-shirts or pants can often only be stored rolled up. Only in the rear of the storage compartment is a bit larger. Instead of a wardrobe there is a 30-centimeter-long clothes rail on which a few shirts and pants fit. Before the clothes are rolled up in a sushi-style and stowed away in the small compartments, the suitcase and its contents end up under the bed. There is a 800-liter storage space, which is accessible from the inside by a two-piece, removable boarding board, but best on the tailgate.

"Camping is just a compromise," it says at VW. Yes that's true. However, one should not forget that already measures the short version of the Grand California six meters in length. In a vehicle of this size, the space should actually reflect in the interior.

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Arriving at the campsite, the camping furniture, which is practically stored in the tailgate, is quickly put in front of the bus. The 70-liter refrigerator, which can be removed in the direction of travel, provides iced drinks. And on the two-burner gas stove can easily prepare a dinner. Life at the campsite - no problem in Grand California.

Sleep in a cozy atmosphere

Sleeping is in the 1.93 x 1.36 meter bed in the rear of the vehicle. If you stretch right through with 1.85 meters, it will be a bit tighter. Above the comfy bed there are dimmable LEDs and small, practical storage compartments with USB ports for smartphones. The upper cabinet row is also crossed by a color-adjustable light band, which ensures a cozy atmosphere.

Optionally, another bed can be ordered above the cab, but that then replaces the standard storage compartment, which could be urgently needed on board. The extra bed can be pulled out towards the center of the car. The asymmetric sleeping surface is then on the driver's side by a fold-out extra pad 1.90 meters, on the passenger side 1.60 meters long and a total of 1.22 meters wide. Why the Extrapolster does not go over the entire width and make the bed bigger with it does not shine. And for a vehicle of this size and compared to other compact camping buses such as the Ford Nugget Plus, the roof bed is relatively small. Two children will find enough space there.

The devil is in the details

If the little ones then climbed over a small ladder in the loft bed, the question arises where with the latter. If she remains attached to the bed, she blocks the way from the sofa to the parental bed. If you take it off, you must forcibly put it forward in the driver's cab or loose under the bed. What sounds petty, but turns out at the latest as an additional circumstance when traveling with a family of four and constantly has to clear everything from A to B. Especially since other manufacturers have solutions here.

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The Grand California costs at least 54,990 euros. The test vehicle with extras such as the optional bed above the cab, ambient lighting, retractable step, roof awning and other special equipment, cost around 79,000 euros.

Who needs more space, should opt for the 80 centimeters longer model Grand California 680th In addition to a generous wardrobe, this also has more storage compartments and a larger longitudinal bed in the rear. An optional extra bed, however, does not exist. Prices start here from 57.100 euros.

Splits between young and old

According to VW, the Grand California should be "no egg-laying Wollmichsau". On the other hand, the camper should inspire younger people just as much as the older generation. Exactly this splits you notice the Grand California also. Modern but not always practical design for the young target group and comfort and convenience for the elderly - both in a camper sense to unite VW at the Grand California has not always succeeded. Although it is often just a few small things that would make it possible to better use the space of the relatively large vehicle.

The bathroom, but you would not miss it after a few days on the road. Because with the wet cell you get with the Grand California the last piece of independence, the driver of the small Bullis the T-series has been denied so far.