Volkswagen ID. Buzz camper van revealed

Have they finally made an ID. Buzz California?

Yup, although we haven't actually seen it yet. So far, Volkswagen has used the Caravan Salon 2026 - an annual trade fair in Düsseldorf celebrating mobile homery, which opens on the 28th of August - to announce that it will shortly be showing the ID. California Cruise, a campervan concept based on the all-electric ID. Buzz. Now, there's not much point in asking us for much more detail than that, because Volkswagen is remaining tight-lipped about exactly what the ID. California Cruise's capabilities will be. We can assume for now that it will feature the usual pop-up roof, two double beds, and some kind of sink and kitchen arrangement, but for now that's all speculation.

Why haven't we had a VW ID. Buzz camper van already?

Mostly because, it seems, VW was concerned about the extra weight and aerodynamic issues of a camper reducing the ID. Buzz's effective range too much. However, by basing the ID. California Cruise on the long-wheelbase model, with its big 86kWh battery, it looks as if Volkswagen has gotten around that problem, to a greater or lesser degree. We'll have to see. VW has said that the ID. California Cruise concept "marks an important milestone towards an entirely new generation of all-electric campervans, which will be introduced step by step through to 2028.”

What else is Volkswagen up to, in a camping sense?

Also making its debut at the Caravan Salon are a couple of new ideas that may make their way into future VW campers, shown off in an existing Multivan-based California. The first is an inflatable kitchen.

Come again?

No, seriously, VW has worked with a company called Stuff Bubble to develop this. It's a 10kg capsule kitchen, featuring a sink and a closed-loop water system, and it can be stored in your house or garage when not needed. Apparently, it takes only a few minutes to set up and fit into the VW California camper, and it can also be removed and used outside at a campsite if needed. There's also a cooker attachment.

Alongside that inflatable kitchen, there's also a new inflatable bed module, in either single or double sizes, which is said to be ‘much more sophisticated than a conventional air mattress' and which further expands the California's versatility, as you can leave it entirely at home when not needed. Both modules, potentially, mean that stripped-back California models, such as the California Beach, can be quickly turned into a more fully equipped camper and then stripped out again for daily driving.

You can read about how these base models perform in everyday conditions in our comprehensive Volkswagen California reviews.

"This partnership gives us the opportunity to rethink the campervan," says Stefan Mecha, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. "Together with our innovation partner Stuff Bubble, we are exploring how modern lightweight technologies and modular concepts can be transferred to the California Beach. To achieve this, we are deliberately drawing inspiration from other fields, such as kite sports, paragliding and inflatable tube constructions that have become standard in the world of modern tents. Our strategic approach is to free the classic campervan from heavy materials and rigid installations, replacing them with flexible, modular solutions. This creates genuine camping capability without compromising the everyday practicality of the base vehicle. In particular, it appeals to customers who do not want a permanently fitted interior but still want to enjoy the comforts of camping on spontaneous getaways, festival weekends or outdoor adventures.”