The VW Caddy California is a sweet little camper van

You hopefully know the Volkswagen California by now. A commercial vehicle turned holiday villa, it’s the world’s most successful campervan.

And now it’s shrunk. This is the Caddy California, and it’s designed for those who find the idea of threading a full-size van into the wilderness a little intimidating. It’s a tiddly little van for couples who want to holiday in their own little bubble. Quite appealing right now, huh?

It measures about the size of a Golf, yet hosts a double bed and kitchen. Needless to say, it does so via ingenuity and a small amount of unfurling for its occupants. You want the bed, you lose the seats.

The cooking facilities are described as a USP in this size of campervan. They roll out of the boot and can be operated at standing height (though the extra tall among us may disagree), with a windshield and cutlery draw built in.

It’s optional, as is a new 1.4m squared panoramic roof that allows you to gaze at the stars in the sky before you go to sleep. Or gaze at the murky clouds in the sky, if you’re holidaying in autumnal Britain. Another option is an additional tent to host a further two people, allowing the whole family to come along if you so wish. A longer wheelbase version will follow, too.

The Caddy Cali comes with tons of grown up features from its bigger brother – including trailer assist and partially automated driving (via 19 different assistance systems) – but uses less powerful engines, a pair of diesels available with 74 or 120bhp.

There’s also a ‘California on Tour’ app to pop on your phone to accompany your new weeny camper, which “provides a whole host of information, including about camp sites and pitches, camping businesses, water and waste disposal stations and all sorts of different leisure activities (such as cycle hire and things to see)".

Neat thing, no?