Volkswagen CALIFORNIA
Built: 1991-2023 · Series: CALIFORNIA
More machines from model year 1991
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Volkswagen California – the factory camper conversion of the Transporter since 1988: Beach, Coach and Syncro four-wheel-drive versions, 2.0 to 2.5-litre displacement, kerb weight 2,070 to 2,505 kg
California is the factory camper version of the Volkswagen Transporter, built by Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge in Hanover since 1988, first on the T3 and then on every subsequent Transporter generation, with a pop-up roof, kitchen unit and sleeping accommodation inside. The model suffixes mark different equipment levels: Beach offers a bench seat and table without a fixed kitchen unit, while plain California and Coach carry the full camper equipment with kitchen, fridge and pop-up roof; Generation Syncro denotes models with the permanent Syncro four-wheel drive, and Wahlweise Atlantic is a special-equipment line.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists 5 versions here with displacements from 1,968 to 2,461 cm³, four to five cylinders, kerb weights from 2,070 to 2,505 kg, gross vehicle weights from 2,810 to 3,080 kg, lengths from 4,900 to 4,960 mm and widths from 1,840 to 2,000 mm.
The California is regarded as the benchmark among factory campers and is regularly used by independent converters such as Westfalia or Reimo as a reference for their own conversions on the same Transporter chassis; it appeals to travellers seeking a bus suitable for everyday use, with registration advantages over larger motorhomes.
On used California models, the seals of the pop-up roof and windows, the condition of the fridge, gas system and water pump, the function of the leisure battery, and on Syncro versions the condition of the viscous coupling all matter; chassis and mechanical parts run through the VW trade, camping equipment parts through specialist workshops.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Volkswagen California, Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge
Technical data
Engine
| Cylinders | 5correct |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 2,461 cm³correct |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 4,900 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,000 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 3,330 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 2,505 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 3,080 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Wheels | 4correct |
|---|---|
| Top speed | 199 km/hcorrect |
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Volkswagen CALIFORNIA weigh?
The unladen weight is 2,505 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Volkswagen CALIFORNIA?
3,080 kg.
What engine does the Volkswagen CALIFORNIA have?
5 cylinders, 2,461 cm³ displacement.
What are the dimensions of the Volkswagen CALIFORNIA?
4,900 mm × 2,000 mm.
When was the Volkswagen CALIFORNIA built?
Production years: 1991-2023.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
We do not sell machines. We ask the dealers who carry this model and come back with price and lead time.
Request a quote →
We ask the suppliers and come back with price and lead time.
Request spare parts →
This page carries 11 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
The technical data on this page comes from official vehicle registration records (RDW/Traficom), not from the manufacturer.
Missing a figure you were looking for? Report it →
Know this machine better? Have a photo, a manual, or know that a figure is wrong? Add it to the register →
Other models in this series
Sources: RDW — Dutch national vehicle register (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
Van in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.
