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Photo: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles knows that the summer is never over because when one season concludes, it’s time to prepare for the next one – and the Caravan Salon 2026 (August 28 – September 6, 2026) at Messe Düsseldorf in Germany is the perfect preamble for the 2027 summer season in Europe and beyond.
We’ve known this for a while: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles first announced that they are about to launch the all-new, first-ever ID. California Cruise and a world-first concept for the California Beach at the camper-dedicated event since the beginning of August, when they first teased them. After that, a few days later, they revealed the complete array of camping solutions that will join the two world premieres at the event.
But now it’s finally time to let the cat out of the bag – at least the Volkswagen ID. California Cruise, the first all-electric California one. By the way, this is only the beginning – the company wants an entire all-electric California family. The initiator of the concept is naturally based on the ID. Buzz and the new “vehicle brings the freedom, flexibility and everyday practicality of the California into the age of electric mobility.”
Several other models will arrive in the coming years, with further “all-electric California models to be added by 2028.” Pricing for the all-new VW ID. California Cruise starts from €60,761, which is almost $71k at the current exchange rate, at home in Germany. At the same time, it may look like any other Volkswagen ID. Buzz on the outside, sporting the proud retro-modern look inspired by the original ‘Bulli,’ the ID. California Cruise is actually ready for “spontaneous trips, weekends away, and longer road trips.”
That’s all thanks to the specially developed camping equipment inside: an exclusive sleeping system that “includes a newly developed nine-centimeter-thick folding comfort mattress, designed to provide a particularly comfortable night’s sleep while travelling,” with the bed measuring 2.03 meters long and 1.20 meters wide (79.92 by 47.24 inches).
There are also ventilation grilles for the front side windows, blackout blinds for all windows, two camping chairs and a camping table, plus a matching blackout blind if the optional panoramic glass roof is also present. All components have their special stowage places in the vehicle, of course. To make it slightly distinctive from the ID. Buzz, the ID. California Cruise has exclusive seat covers in the “Miwo” design with California wordmark, California lettering in the back and special “Cruise” decals along the sides of the vehicle.
There’s also a new feature: California mode, which has been “developed specifically for camping.” The EV camper has an additional control unit that adjusts various lighting and comfort functions, keeps the USB ports running, and allows the climate control to heat or cool the interior for up to 48 hours. Volkswagen is also implementing new electric trip-focused functions into the California App.
For example, the journey planning section includes suitable charging stations along the route for the first time, while the Volkswagen App integrates Plug & Charge for the new Volkswagen ID. California Cruise: “At compatible charging stations, charging starts automatically once the cable is connected, without the need for separate authentication at the charging point.”
The new model also comes with an embedded vehicle-to-load function with a continuous output of up to 2,000 watts and a peak output of 3.6 kW. Thus, the ID. California Cruise becomes a mobile power source for coffee machines, kettles, portable electric hobs, cool boxes, lighting systems and chargers for e-bikes and e-scooters, mobile workstations and outdoor kitchens.
Volkswagen developed the ID. California Cruise based on the ID. Buzz Pro, and it will be available with both a short and a long wheelbase, and the base model also gets additional perks like the “Interior Style package”, the “Comfort package” and the “PowerSocket” discharge adapter for the vehicle-to-load function, which are always included. The first deliveries are scheduled for the first part of next year, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has the entire California family on display at Caravan Salon 2026.