Two years after making its debut as a concept ‘van – known as the California XXL – at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, the new OEM vehicle from Volkswagen, based on the second-generation VW Crafter, is finally here in right-hand drive form.

It is quite a change from the concept vehicle, which features considerably more roof glass and one or two extra techie features that presumably didn’t make the final cut.

The ‘van is available in two versions: the 600, with a transverse bed and a bulbous, hard GRP roof housing an optional bed, and the longer 680, with fixed single beds in the rear.

In the week that VW started taking orders for the new models, ready for delivery in spring – and before their appearance at the NEC this autumn – we took the 680 out for a spin.