The Kennedys take a road trip aboard VW’s glorious campervan, the California Ocean.
Dad!
As a child in the early 70s, I remember my uncle’s old VW Kombi. It was the most exciting thing in the world to hear him approaching – the unmistakable clatter of his Kombi climbing the steep laneway to my grandparents’ house! He would leap out like a circus performer and the hot mechanical oily animalness of the thing would fall suddenly silent. The privilege and wonder of being able utilise this great machine and the freedom and hope and that it represented was wonderful. So, I couldn’t wait to now share this California Ocean adventure with my wife and children, too.
Unlike the Kombi, the performance is fabulously smooth – the turbo-diesel engine and seven-speed automatic gearbox deliver a seamless performance. What’s conveyed is a capable powertrain with agency to deliver everything that’s needed, and the attractive mag wheels and their mid-profile tyres render a tangibly enjoyable road-feel to the driving experience. The passing-lane performance of the California Ocean simply and silkily extends the businessas- usual cruising competence and is so smooth that it feels almost like a continuously geared electric machine. Getting to the campsite is enjoyable, safe, smooth, and connected for everybody.
Beyond the highway, its practicality excels. Not only is it able to be driven like a car, but it also comfortably sleeps four, and delivers fully in the urban environment, perfect for trips to the supermarket, collecting friends from the airport, or heading to lunch. It attracts plenty of positive comments as well. This camper brims with neat features, with heaps of storage and the likes of digital touchscreens. Having an old-school ‘yankable’ floor-mounted handbrake is a particularly lovely touch.
Beyond the highway, its practicality excels. Not only is it able to be driven like a car, but it also comfortably sleeps four.”
Mum!
I don’t really consider myself a ‘car person’ – or any vehicle for that matter! – but how I enjoyed our couple of days with the California Ocean. Everything is so well thought out, cute, and easy to use. The pop-up bed up top opens with a touch of the button, and the ‘downstairs’ bed appears with a simple pull of a strap.
As well as being a smooth drive, it is super spacious, with plenty of leg room front and back, as well as boasting plenty of surprises in its nooks and crannies! I was really surprised by how easy it is to drive; it didn’t feel like a van and was easy to manoeuvre in smaller spaces.
Big sis!
The upstairs sleeping space is surprisingly nice! I always feared that these would be like little hot air pockets with little ventilation, but the fly-screened unzippable windows on three sides make it breathable, cool, and comfortable. I found the mattress soft and the headspace ample (with feet towards the back of the car). I am notorious in our family for feeling car sick so was pleasantly surprised to feel a bit less so due to the extensive leg room in the backseat (also aided by wide windows). It also has its own adjustable table which was very helpful for some impromptu NCEA study as we drove.
It can often be a pain trying to get music sorted when you’re on the road, but the California Ocean’s system was not too finicky, and the touchscreen was instantly connected to my phone and very workable. I also loved the great views of the countryside through the generous windows all around!
Little bro!
My first thought was that it’s like a Transformer how the whole roof top goes up to make a bedroom! Riding in the front is very comfortable, and the seat has armrests. And the control panels and touchscreens are like you would find in a spaceship! To find out more visit volkswagen.co.nz
