Interior and exterior fittings
How big is a Volkswagen T4 California Exclusive?
The VW T4 California Exclusive is built on the long-wheelbase T4 chassis. Its main dimensions are:
- Width: 1.84 metres
- Height: 2.56 metres (the sticker on the dashboard says 2.7 m)
- Wheelbase: 3.32 metres
- Length: 5.18 metres
How much does a VW T4 California Exclusive weigh?
- Maximum permitted weight: 2,800 kg.
Interior layout, equipment and seats
The Volkswagen T4 California Exclusive is an unmistakable model thanks to its equipment and a design aimed at maximum comfort on long trips. Here are its most notable features:
High roof and windows
This model has a high fibreglass roof, which gives more space inside and lets you stand up in the van. The side and rear windows are fitted with integrated blinds and insect screens, giving you both privacy and ventilation without worrying about bugs. It also has a 28×28 cm skylight for better ventilation and natural light inside.
Rear end and built-in bike rack
The rear of the Exclusive is made of fibreglass and includes a built-in bike rack with a maximum load of 40 kg. This lets you carry bikes safely without having to fit an extra bike rack.
Bathroom
An exclusive feature is its separate bathroom, which includes a Thetford C3 chemical toilet and a folding washbasin, making trips more comfortable without having to rely on outside facilities.
Control panel
The built-in control panel lets you manage several things on the van, such as the fridge temperature and the parking heater, and shows the voltage and charge level of the leisure battery. It also shows the fresh water level and the outside temperature, helping you keep an eye on conditions in the van during your stay.
Kitchen and fridge
The kitchen has two gas burners and a Camping Gaz 907 butane bottle under the hob. It also has a sink with a tap and a 40-litre Dometic RC1140 or RC1140/1 fridge connected to the leisure battery, making efficient use of your energy on the road.
Water tanks
The California Exclusive has a 55-litre fresh water tank behind the bathroom and a 65-litre waste water tank under the kitchen. That gives you plenty of capacity for trips of several days without having to fill or empty it often.
Parking heater
The van has a Hydronic D3WZ parking heater, controlled from the control panel, which warms the living area without starting the engine. This is especially handy in cold weather or overnight.
Seats and beds
The swivelling front seats with armrests give you flexibility to create a social area when the van is parked. The rear seat is a two-seater and converts into a 1.12 m x 1.89 m bed. At the top, on rails, there is an extending 1.07 m x 2 m bed with a 6.5 cm thick mattress, giving two more people a comfortable place to sleep.
Table and storage
Inside the Exclusive there are two folding tables. The small table, 37 cm x 33 cm, is built into the left-hand side panel, while the large table (available in two sizes: 96 cm x 44 cm or 101 cm x 41.4 cm) is stored in a cupboard and attaches to a guide above the small table when you need more space.
The vehicle has plenty of storage, with a large cupboard in the bathroom area, roller-shutter cupboards and more storage on the right-hand side. There is also space under the rear seat for extra items.
Campsite hook-up and sockets
The T4 California Exclusive is fitted with a 16A campsite hook-up at the rear. It also has two 220V sockets, conveniently placed in the washbasin cupboard and on the left-hand side panel, making it easy to use electrical devices when connected to an external supply.
Upholstery
The seats are upholstered in “Kaktus” fabric, a tough and durable material that complements the robust, practical look of the interior.
Volkswagen T4 colour codes
From 1994 to 1996 the VW T4 California Exclusive was available in three colours:
When the long-nose facelift arrived in 1996, there were five colours available:
- T7 Grey White (L902) (Grauweiß)
- X8 Friesian Green (LL6T) (Friesengrün)
- E9 Island Blue Metallic (LL5Z) (Islandblau Metallic)
- SK9098 Soft Green Metallic (LB6P) (Softgrün Metallic)
- E1 Hot Chilli Red Pearl Effect (LC3L) (Hotchilired Perleffekt)
California Exclusive dimensions and capacities according to the original manual
The edition of the Volkswagen manual consulted gives 5,055 mm in length without exterior accessories, 3,320 mm wheelbase, 2,175 mm width including mirrors and roughly 2,695 mm in height. The stated interior headroom is about 2,030 mm. For the beds it gives 2,000 × 1,070 mm for the upper one and 1,890 × 1,170 mm for the lower one (manual, p. 68).
Check your specific vehicle before relying on these figures for a garage space, a height barrier or a made-to-measure mattress: the manual itself warns of variations depending on version and equipment. Also, the measurements quoted earlier on this page come from other sources and do not fully match this edition. The vehicle's data sheet and an actual measurement will settle any doubt.
Water, battery and fridge: capacities in this edition
The manual specifies approximately 55 litres of fresh water, 65 litres of grey water, 20 litres for the toilet tank, a 135 Ah auxiliary battery and a 40-litre fridge (p. 69). This is the equipment described in that edition, useful for identifying the systems and planning your autonomy, but a used van may have replaced or modified components.
To find out how to fill, empty and maintain these systems, see the California Exclusive user guide.