I’m not sure what you are looking at, but I’m looking at the British price list for the California SE camper and the Beach (Weekender) version, not minivans: https://www.volkswagenvans.co.uk/media/1308863/1411_california_price_list.pd f

There are several versions of the California SE (full camper) from MSRP of £38,250 ($57,375) to £43,975 ($65,962) for the 4Motion turbo diesel (price before the British 20% VAT) that everyone here would want. Add tariffs, shipping, and dealer markup. I also have to pay 10% sales tax in Seattle. It would likely be well over $80k here.

I know there are plenty of diesel fans on this list, but the base diesel is only 140hp, and the turbo diesel is 180hp. The early VR-6 EV was 160hp, and the late model was 201hp. I can tell you personally that 160hp was not really enough for the Eurovan camper, but it was adequate, especially after driving a Vanagon. I don’t think the 140hp version would be acceptable to American drivers though.

Bigger problem is to qualify it for the US Market. Some factory production changes would be needed, but the expensive part is crash testing hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of vehicles to prove they are safe. Not gonna happen!

After exploring all the modern options, I’m back to Vanagons forever!

Stuart

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of James Sent: Friday, January 09, 2015 7:23 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Asking VW about plans for a new microbus

> >

> > When the Euro hits parity with the dollar (and it may soon, or even

> > go below, given the dire straits of the EU economy), VW could look

> > at exporting the California camper van, but it would likely still be

> > too expensive, and Americans want BIG, just look at the conversions

> > Road Trek and Sportsmobile do today. How many would buy a

> > California for $70k+ when you can get a used RV for less, or a new Class B conversion for $100k?

> >

> > Stuart

> >

I'm not sure how a California Trendline that costs EUR 38 700 in France before taxes becomes a $70 000 vehicle in the USA? The exchange rate on the Euro is about 20% at the moment - that makes a California about $45 000, or the price of a nicely loaded Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. Yes, you can a lot of options, but the pricing's not as far 'out there' as you'd think.

Of course, you could option it up - Comfortline, 4motion - but that's true of other vehicles too.

James

Ottawa, ON

=