ID Buzz Camper is coming - much later

The current "California Ocean" based on the VW 6.1 scores primarily with its interior volume on a short overall length. But the T 6.1 is being discontinued and will be replaced by a derivative of the Ford Transit Custom. Which is likely to come again as the "Nugget". One could simply flip the roof and move the kitchen forward and would have...

As desirable as the combustion-engine California is, an ID. Buzz California would be as well. However, in full configuration, it would be too heavy to be driven with a European Class B driving license, which allows up to 3.5 tons. The current California based on T 6.1 already weighs between 2.3 and 2.6 tons depending on the drive and equipment. If the long ID.Buzz were equipped similarly, it would quickly exceed three tons of empty weight. This would leave barely 500 kilograms of payload. Additionally, many campers are not yet satisfied with the range, as no more than 300 to 350 kilometers per battery charge is achievable.

Converters are already getting started

This is why Citroen currently sees the chance to enter the segment with its own camper. Convertors like Alpincamper or the British company TC Conversion have already started working on the ID.Buzz. They have developed expansion kits that turn the rear bench into a double bed and place a small kitchen unit with an induction cooktop and mini-sink in the passenger compartment. They also set a more or less large elevating roof on top to allow standing in the camper Buzz.

The problem here: TC Conversion apparently ceased operations on August 7, 2023, at 9 AM – at least, that's what the British website reports.

The new California Concept is on display at the Caravan Salon

VW itself is presenting the "California Concept" for the first time at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf. It's based on the Multivan with long wheelbase and plug-in hybrid. The production version is to be assembled at VW Commercial Vehicles in Hannover starting in summer 2024. VW has yet to comment on the electric range, but as a reference, the Multivan eHybrid with up to 49 kilometers (160 kW / 218 PS) can be considered (empty weight: 2195 kg, permissible maximum gross weight: 2750 kg), as its battery has only 10.4 kWh capacity.

Here, too, the weight is likely to increase, as the pop-up roof with slatted frame alone weighs around 100 kilograms, in addition to the kitchen, cabinets, folding table... and: VW plans the California optionally with a second sliding door. The press release explains:

"No one has ever claimed that a California should only have one sliding door."

However, VW is rowing back significantly on the ID California: After all, such a model based on the ID. Buzz with an extended wheelbase is "not excluded forever." After all, VW already showed in December 2021 how such a model could look and proposed 2025 as the sales start.

Now, the same is "still a great challenge within this decade." The sticking point is the batteries – they need to become lighter, denser, and cheaper to go further with less base weight. But they remain committed in Hannover. Anyone who doesn't want to wait any longer still needs a thick wallet: the British TC-Conversion based on the Cargo variant costs at least 89,100 euros, while the more lavishly equipped Life variant starts at 103,000 euros. Alpincamper is currently asking for 83,999 euros for the demonstrator.