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The calculation is based on an interest rate of 10% per year for a 3-year period, with no deposits. This budget tool is only used as a guide and starting point, not a financial quotation. Please see here for our website terms.

This year, picnics have become a symbol of hope for people in some parts of New Zealand. With the relaxation of the Covid-19 alert level 3 restrictions in Auckland on October 6, city residents were told they could meet for a “picnic”. Picnics can be compared to social outings like anything else, but still so. We heard about picnics.

So what is the perfect picnic? Sunshine, scenery, comfort and cooking are a good combination. The first two need to be completely portable, but the latter two-well, wouldn’t it be great if you could bring a holiday home? Enjoy wonderful outdoor activities, reserve a private space for a break, and a kitchen to make the delicious food you see in lifestyle magazines. When you do it yourself, the result is always exactly the same as the picture.

The solution to all the above problems is Volkswagen Grand California, a camper designed and manufactured by the German manufacturer's newest and largest factory. Take the Crafter van as a starting point, which is based on Transporter's California Ocean (Kombi for you and me) and the big brother of the small Caddy California. Yes, Volkswagen currently has a real Russian doll on its California model.

The four-bed Grand California 600 is almost 6 meters long, so it is indeed a holiday home on wheels (well, maybe a beachfront apartment). One can take you to the best picnic spots wherever they are.

It is completely self-contained, with a kitchen, combined shower/toilet and solar panels on the roof, which can collect enough electricity during the day to power the "home battery" for several nights. You can also use the engine to charge it while driving, or just plug it in at the campsite.

One thing that sets the Grand apart from other campers is that driving is not a chore. It has a powerful 130kW/410Nm turbo diesel engine and 4Motion all-wheel drive system. It is 3 meters high, so you will not throw it casually, but its speed is very stable, which is partly due to a large number of driving assistance equipment, including the crosswind assist system, which uses electronic power steering and stability control Come to automatically resist from the big gusts.

Picnic time. Or maybe it's a time of surprise and joy in California. Once you open the side door, the external steps will automatically unfold and will remain in this state after you enter and press the touchpad setting for camping mode. There is a small dining table with two chairs, and the driver/front passenger seat can be rotated for four in case you want to dine in the sun. Or look at your laptop instead of the view (it happened, right?).

The Thule awning can be unfolded in a few minutes, and the integrated legs fall through a simple clip. An outdoor table and folding chairs are integrated into the lining of the barn door at the back.

$344.37 USD/week$1,377.49 USD/month

$1,218.09 USD/week$4,872.35 USD/month

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$625.18 USD/week$2,500.71 USD/week

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$536.36 USD/week$2,145.45 USD/week

$403.34 USD/week$1,613.36 USD/month

The kitchen is very compact, but you can get a gas stove and sink, and a nice flat workbench space for cooking creations. You can sprinkle the prepared materials (not literally) on the outdoor table at any time, or fold the double bed at the back and set up additional work space there.

The refrigerator is right at the door, if you often go in and out, this is not an ideal choice. But it is ideal for equal access inside and outside the vehicle; for the latter, you can simply reach in, grab and run.

All in all, it is much faster and more convenient than setting up tents and barbecues. It should be $159,900; but if you are in this market, the price of the Grand California 600 in a campervan environment is still competitive.

Of course, this is not just about future picnics. Starting next week, the border in Auckland will open and long-distance travel will be possible, which means leisure and sightseeing far exceed the 24-hour limit—and camping. The largest California has also solved all these problems in a magnificent style.

VOLKSWAGEN GRAND CALIFORNIA 600 Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine power: 130kW/410Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic, AWD Economy: 9.2l/100km Price: 159,000 USD

The calculation is based on an interest rate of 10% per year for a 3-year period, with no deposits. This budget tool is only used as a guide and starting point, not a financial quotation. Please see here for our website terms.

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