New 163BHP Grand Cali 600

[David M]

Just enquiring on how anyone is getting on with the new 163hp engine compared with the older 24 model with 177. I am looking to buy and not sure if I want the new 25 model,( minus the solar and or wiring loom) or find a nearly new 24 model with perhaps a solar panel and if not at least the wiring for the solar to the roof aerial.
Please advise your thoughts and if anyone with a new model has had any gripes with the new engine and interior electronics?
thanks

 

[Soton Campers]

Just enquiring on how anyone is getting on with the new 163hp engine compared with the older 24 model with 177. I am looking to buy and not sure if I want the new 25 model,( minus the solar and or wiring loom) or find a nearly new 24 model with perhaps a solar panel and if not at least the wiring for the solar to the roof aerial.
Please advise your thoughts and if anyone with a new model has had any gripes with the new engine and interior electronics?
thanks

Just looking at a new 600 myself, has VW discontinued Solar and the pre-wiring now? I can't see it on the configurator. The Grand California absolutely needs Solar in my opinion or more battery capacity.

 

[Coachella]

Only having my MY25 Knaus from Monday - (MAN TGE / VW Crafter) - its now the 163bhp version.
I haven't really noticed the power difference yet. Its still quick when it wants to be and picks up well.

Things for me that i am struggling to get used to is the auto controls now on a stick not on the gear stick position. I cannot see if there is a switch to turn off stop/start. Other differences i have seen there are flappy paddles too. Handbrake of course is not electronic - and have got it set on auto hold. To start with it was putting the handbrake on between forwards and reverse which was a pain - u had to wait for the system to catch up to take it off again for moving - but now with the autohold it behaves like before now.
Also the wipers are all on the indicator stalk now. So right now trying to find that is a few seconds going on the right side - nope not there - its on the left now.
And the media system ! well thats another ball game all together. Not been able to set up android auto - navigating around it is also so very different.

I know that i will get more familiar with it all.
But driving - so far its not that much different than the version before.

 

[Coachella]

Oh I meant to add - big plus is that its Lithium ready. I just have to set the Dometic charger in the back to Lithium mode - and just drop in the replacement battery in the front.

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

Hi, while solar is not yet an option, why is there a question about cabling not being there? My understanding is that even on previous versions that did not have solar the cabling from the front of the van is there into the electric cupboard, hence why some have retro fitted solar.

 

[David M]

Hi, while solar is not yet an option, why is there a question about cabling not being there? My understanding is that even on previous versions that did not have solar the cabling from the front of the van is there into the electric cupboard, hence why some have retro fitted solar.

I am lead to believe that VW were having problems with the quality of the solar panels hence on the revised vehicle(25 model year) have not included them as an option or indeed included the wiring to the point of entry at the roof, hence any retro fitting will be a little more complex... However I could be mis informed?

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

I am lead to believe that VW were having problems with the quality of the solar panels hence on the revised vehicle(25 model year) have not included them as an option or indeed included the wiring to the point of entry at the roof, hence any retro fitting will be a little more complex... However I could be mis informed?

On the website it says solar available late 25, but who knows if the cable is still in the roof lining or not…..

 

[pinomarmo1958]

Just enquiring on how anyone is getting on with the new 163hp engine compared with the older 24 model with 177. I am looking to buy and not sure if I want the new 25 model,( minus the solar and or wiring loom) or find a nearly new 24 model with perhaps a solar panel and if not at least the wiring for the solar to the roof aerial.
Please advise your thoughts and if anyone with a new model has had any gripes with the new engine and interior electronics?
thanks

We had a 24 plate with solar now the facelift without. This model power is not noticeable. But every thing else is the drive is better the instrument panel better, lane assist. The hold button great. The gear lever great the wiper is OK just needs a little getting use to. The only thing that Iam not sure about is the barn door lock it seems to work by a signal,maybe solenoid to the lock from the handle.
But the leveling like the ocean is on here you have to download it, the dealer did it for me. The control panel ,I thought I wouldn't like but it's great. You can see both batteries. The stop start is on the main screen no more button and it's key les start. Electric door mirrors and the little orange light when vehicles pass in the mirror don't know what it's called. Less noises. The VW badges are different. So far we are impressed.

 

[Coachella]

Oh the stop start --- is this on the digital dash ? or in the infotainment screen ?

Also yes i noticed that the barn door had locked itself after a time when in the back i had the passenger side back door open and the drivers side one closed - went to pull it open and it had locked itself. Had the sliding door open too. So will have to make note that the door at the back will after a while lock. So I dont get locked out with closing doors with the key inside !
Wonder if this is something that the dealer can change ?

 

[pinomarmo1958]

Oh the stop start --- is this on the digital dash ? or in the infotainment screen ?

Also yes i noticed that the barn door had locked itself after a time when in the back i had the passenger side back door open and the drivers side one closed - went to pull it open and it had locked itself. Had the sliding door open too. So will have to make note that the door at the back will after a while lock. So I dont get locked out with closing doors with the key inside !
Wonder if this is something that the dealer can change ?

Infotainment screen is where you will find stop start. Our back door operates normally, just a little delay when opening.