30 years of freedom PART 2: THE T5 - T6 ERA

As explained previously, VW decided to design and build and their own Camper conversions via the VWCV Special Business Unit (a subsidiary of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles) starting with the T5 range, which was launched in 2003. In fact, the decision to move the California construction away from Westfalia was made several years before, which had provided the designers and engineers with enough time to cover the development and manufacturing of the Camper-related parts and accessories prior to the release of the T5. However, whilst it was all-new and redesigned, the interior layout was essentially the same as the California had always been, albeit with a fresh modern look and feel to the fixtures and fittings.

Leipzig a go-go

It was at the Auto Mobil International (AMI) event in Leipzig, Germany that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles first previewed the T5 range in the Spring of 2003, with the California making its debut later in the year at the Caravan Salon show. Consequently, the first oficial California Campers were delivered in 2004 in either Trendline or the more luxurious Comfortline configurations