08.12.2009 - Seating up to seven peo­ple, they are distinguished by a new-look frontal styl­ing in line with the Polo and Golf and are available with many of the latest luxuries seen in Volkswagen’s cars. 

These include a three-spoke multifunction steer­ing wheel, an optical park­ing system (in conjunction with parking sensors) and the latest touchscreen navi­gation systems including a 30Gb hard drive to store navigation and music. The Multivan is more than a vehicle, more a ticket to a world full of possibilities.  It is suitable for families, sports people, long journeys or for business.  Its interior flexibil­ity gives you total freedom.

The Calfornia is part of a tradition dating back to 1988.  From the new and comfortable Calfornia Beach to the exclusive California Comfortline, this is more than a comfortable auto-caravan, it is a home on wheels equipped with every­thing you may need.  Ideal for trips into the wilds to discover nature or long dis­tance journeys, you can eas­ily spend the night in it be­neath the stars.

Standard specifications have been enhanced with added safety features and interior refinements such as improved front seats, new instruments including a gear change indicator, and more intuitive controls, plus new radio/CD units.  New options available include DAB digital radio reception, ‘rear assist’ reversing camera and a new range of alloy wheels.

Important new standard safety and convenience fea­tures include a passenger airbag deactivation switch, seatbelt reminder, daylight running function for the main headlights, front foglights with new cornering function for improved visibility while turning, emergency brak­ing lights which flash under heavy braking, hill hold con­trol and Volkswagen’s latest generation ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) with Rain Brake Support.  New optional safety features are a tyre monitoring indica­tor to let you know if a tyre loses pressure, and ‘lane change assist’ to alert the driver to traffic in the vehi­cle’s blindspot.

The new Multivan and California are both supplied with four-cylinder, 2.0-li­tre common rail diesel en­gines available with a choice of 102 CV, 140 CV TDI or twin-turbo 180 CV BiTDI.  These engines deliver lots of power and torque with lower running costs thanks to long service intervals and improved fuel consumption.  They also benefit from a re­duction in perceived noise levels by the equivalent of up to 50 per cent relative to their predecessors, plus low­er emissions to Euro5 stand­ards.  The new seven-speed DSG automatic transmission is optional, as is permanent integral traction,4Motion.

For a vehicle such as this the average fuel consump­tion is pleasing.  Generally the three engines give a saving of approximately 1.9 litres of fuel per 100 kilome­tres when coimpared with their predecessors.

Available in the Canaries from €25,360, these vehicles really do represent value for money. 
For more information visit www.vwcanarias.com and click on comerciales, or your nearest Hatusa or Cuatromoción VW dealer.



This article appears in the print edition 605 of Island Connections

Gallery: The new Multivan & California

6 pictures found: Go to gallery