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VW's Beach bum buddy

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Do you yearn for those bygone days of summer surf trips along the South African coastline in your immortal Kombi? The new VW California Beach might just rekindle some keen memories for you.

The Beach features a garish new two-tone paint scheme, whilst the utilitarian interior suited to luggage laden road trips.

Capacious

Luggage can be stowed in the roof luggage net or in a drawer under the 2-seater bench seat. In addition, everything else that needs to be packed can be stored in two stowage bags.

Longboards and sea kayaks pose little challenge for the capacious nature of the Beach loadbay. A rail system in the passenger compartment allows a variable adjustment of the stowage box and bench seat, enabling you to create space for bulky items.

The comfortable swivelling front seats assure fatigue-free driving on long journeys and with raised seating position, the Beach gives the driver an commanding view of traffic on the road.

The folding 2-seater bench seat in the passenger compartment, together with an upholstered stowage box and bed extension at the rear, can be made up into a cosy sleeping surface, perfect for overnighting when surf conditions are promising to be epic the next day at that perfect, isolated, surf spot.

Two flexible lights on the headlining turn night into day. You can enjoy breakfast at a folding table which is integrated in the sliding door to save space. This practical table and two standard folding chairs can also be used outside the vehicle at braaitime.

Performance

The Beach comes with two TDI turbodiesel engines. The base 1.9 TDI produces 77 kW and 250Nm of torque, whilst the range topping 2.5 TDI produces 128 kW of power and 400Nm of torque. All-wheel drive is available on the 2.5 TDI engine in 4 Motion configuration.

McPherson struts and the mini block springs ensure that the Beach is stable on the road even when the vehicle is fully loaded.

Safety

Predisposed to travel vast distances with passengers the Beach has comprehensive safety features. These include driver and passenger airbag, high level brake light, 3 point automatic seatbelts front and rear, child lock on sliding doors, first aid kit and warning triangle.

The disc brakes - front and rear - ABS as well as an electronic differential lock (EDL), traction control system (TCS) and engine traction control (ETC).

Standard equipment of the Beach includes, sun roller blinds on the side windows of passenger area, swivelling reading lights, radio/cd, electric remote mirrors/heated, step illumination and tinted glass all around.

Optional features include a detachable towbar, cycle carrier for the tailgate, basic carrier with luggage tray and 6 disc CD changer. Only 20 Beach's are scheduled to go on sale this year.

Beach Model Range & Pricing

Beach 1.9 TDi - 77kW - R300 900
Beach 2.5 TDi - 128kW - R326 400
Beach 2.5 TDi 4MOTION - 128kW - R353 400

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