The new Grand California arrives in showrooms in early 2019, but even now it is already collecting important awards: the campervan has just won the Connected Car Award 2018. Run by the AUTO BILD and COMPUTER BILD magazines, the readers’ poll is regarded as a good barometer of trends in the digitalised automotive world. The readers’ vote for the Grand California underlines the fact that hardly any other camper of this class offers a similarly large array of connected info- and entertainment technologies. The Grand California is based on the latest Crafter and will be available in two sizes.
The slogan of the Connected Car Award 2018 was “Choose the most intelligent car!” And that is what the readers of the two magazines did: in the “Connected Car: Large cars / Campervan” category the vast majority voted for the Grand California. All key campervan functions can be controlled via a separate central display: information it provides includes the drinking and waste water levels. The display is also used to control the heating, interior lighting, power supply and fridge.
The further range of connectivity features on offer includes various infotainment systems complete with telephone interface, up to six USB interfaces, Volkswagen Media Control (remote control of the infotainment system via tablet or smart phone) and App Connect (enabling use of smart phone apps, such as WhatsApp and Spotify, in the infotainment system). Via Volkswagen Media Control and App Connect it is also possible to integrate into the Grand California‘s navigation system routes previously planned on smart phone or tablet.
A further innovative feature is the optional Bluetooth sound system (four speakers plus subwoofer) in the living area. Regardless of the infotainment system fitted, users can pair it with their smart phone, tablet or laptop to listen to songs from their library or via streaming. The Bluetooth system can, of course, be controlled from the infotainment system too. An LTE WiFi hotspot enables everyone travelling in the vehicle to go online.