The Volkswagen camper, the iconic niche vehicle fancied by surfers, Grateful Dead fans and camping families, may soon be available in the United States after a decade hiatus.
Volkswagen has officially discounted the prevalent rumor of the return of the Westfalia Camper edition. But Heinz-Jakob Neusser, the head of production of VW has reportedly said the bus will be back in a surprising way — as an electric vehicle.
Neusser, as reported on the web site, inhabit.com, has that detailed the camper will have a small electronic motor to power the front wheels. The battery pack will be under the floor.
The VW camper will include three design features reminiscent of the former bus: a wide, solid D-piller, the boxy center section and a short overhang.
The website We Are Surfers also reported he new vehicle would be available with both four- and five-cylinder engines, and will have an estimated MSRP of $25,000.
According to Neusser, Volkswagen is investing $10 million into the electric charging infrastructure.
The current VW camper is currently available in Europe and is called the Californian. It’s the sixth-generation of the VW T series van.
The California comes in three trim levels: base, Coast, and Ocean. The base model includes the pop top, window shades, and a removable picnic table and folding chairs. The Coast brings more of the camping experience, with a sink, stove, and built-in cooler.
Article Last Updated: August 27, 2021.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
Love this camper! The green/white is a great combo.