Others begin to fill the Cali (Transporter/T7) gap

[2into1]

The NEC show seems to be full of converted "New Transporter" vans. (I'm sure VW will eventually acknowledge that everyone is calling it the T7).
Without reopening the Conversion Vs Cali debate (oh ok then ), I'm personally liking the look of the New Transporter more than the Multivan based Cali. Add in the massive choice of interior and exterior looks, 2 burners on the hob etc I'm left wondering if that will be enough to overcome the fact that it's a "Turkish Ford".
Whilst VW seems to have made a right b@llocks of things, the converters seem to be getting better and better (apart from the awful carpeted walls in one of the examples). What do you all think?

 

[Oscarthebeddie]

I'm just returning home from the show today and had a good look at many of the competitors vans, I might be biased but hand on heart I wouldn't swap my T6 Ocean for any of them, when you look closely a lot of the interiors are not a patch on the old Cali's, my van is 7 years old and hasn't fallen to pieces yes they do have flaws but I don't believe the competitors will be as robust.

 

[hlobban]

IMO certainly something to be said for the amount of variations in body kits, layout, cooking option, hot water showers etc etc and the cheaper price also doesn't hurt.

But I didn't see a single one in that video that I would swap my 2020 T6.1 for, so I guess I am a sucker for the Cali

 

[PipPip]

We have a new California Ocean hybrid on order. We were at the NEC on Tuesday and saw all the new Transporter conversions. Genuinely saw nothing we preferred to the California. Having said that, the conversion companies are definitely upping their game on the camping equipment with huge batteries, solar, induction hobs, hot water etc. Also a massive marketing focus on the off grid capabilities. Personally, I felt its all to take your attention away from the base vans, which are basically all rather bland diesel commercial vans. Some of the conversions remain a bit disapponting in the flesh, with very high back seats and lots of dark carpet on walls and ceilings. Not keen on these.