VW’s Largest Camper Drops Prices, Gains Solar Panels And Rugged Dune Special Edition

Volkswagen is no stranger to camping enthusiasts, treating them with the California lineup. For 2027, the German brand has turned its attention to the flagship Grand California, introducing solar panels, fresh interior trim, and a new special edition, while reducing prices across the lineup.

The Grand California has been around since 2019, but received a facelift in 2025 adding a new digital cockpit, a camper control panel, and more sophisticated ADAS. Now, the large van has been further improved and becomes more accessible than before.

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The biggest news is the introduction of the Dune Special Edition, with a more adventurous stance. The model combines an Ascot Grey shade with an unpainted front bumper, matching the plastic cladding on the profile and the rear bumper. It also gets Dune decals and rides on 17-inch Lismore black alloy wheels.

VW Grand California Dune Special Edition

Despite the utilitarian look, the van comes standard with LED headlights and DRLs, although the fog lights and the side marker lamps are optional. Inside, equipment includes a Climatronic A/C, ambient lighting, a digital instrument cluster and a 10.4-inch infotainment display (or an optional 12.9-inch unit).

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Other changes for 2027 include the addition of Atami Bamboo trim inside the cabin, joined by a matching “hard-wearing wood effect floor covering.” Volkswagen has also added extra storage compartments and a foldout table, further improving the practicality credentials of the campervan.

Another cool feature is the optional Off-Grid Package adding solar panels and two 40Ah LiFePO4 batteries. The latter offer a 40% greater capacity, extending the time you can spend off-grid.

VW Grand California

The Grand California remains available in two bodystyles – the taller 600 measures 5.98 m (235.4 in) long while the longer 680 stretches to 6.80 m (267.7 in). Both include a fully-equipped kitchen, sleeping, living and dining areas, plus a small bathroom with a shower. The latter separates the Crafter-based campervan from its smaller California siblings which are based on the Caddy, Transporter, Multivan, and ID.Buzz.

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Under the hood, the only option is a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine, producing 161 hp (120 kW / 163 PS) and 410 Nm (302 lb-ft) of torque. The mill is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox sending power to either the front wheels or all four wheels when combined with the 4Motion system.

Cheaper Than Before

Pricing for the 2027 VW Grand California in the UK market has been reduced by £1,000 ($1,300) compared to last year. The cheapest Grand California 600 starts from £68,960 ($91,000) excluding VAT, while the Dune Special Edition starts from £69,960 ($92,300).

The larger Grand California 680 is priced from £71,440 ($94,300), while the most expensive Grand California 680 Dune Special Edition 4Motion tops out at £79,160 ($104,400). Finally, the optional Off-Grid package costs £1,450 ($1,900).