Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2023 i What Motorhome

IT’S fair to say that Chausson has led the way where drop-down bed motorhomes are concerned, certainly where the lowerable bed is the main the sleeping quarters. In a reduced range of seven layouts for 2023, three models fall into this camp. There’s the one-of-a-kind 660 with its huge walk-in garage, the 720 that’s family friendly thanks to its rear bunk beds, and the classic, the 640. This is the one that’s been so successful that a number of both British and continental manufacturers have copied its concept. What was that about the sincerest form of flattery? But the French firm hasn’t just sat back on laurels and let everyone else catch up. For a start, the latest 640 (only on Ford this season, due to difficulties in obtaining Fiat…

IF you want a rear lounge campervan based on a Fiat Ducato or Peugeot Boxer, there’s almost too much choice. There are some mainstream British options, such as those from Auto-Sleepers and Auto-Trail. The latter also has budget-priced models to compete with Elddis. Then, there are specialists in the sector, such as Consort, IH and Vantage. You can even find imported rivals from Pilote and Rimor. But what if, quite understandably, you think the Sevel vans are a bit dated, a bit utilitarian? What if you’re trading up from a smaller VW T6 camper and want the same driver appeal and similar build quality? Well, the obvious answer might be a conversion on the Volkswagen Crafter or its equivalent from MAN – in which case, you’ll need to take a…

IT’S the sector of the leisure market that’s growing fastest, so it’s no surprise that, six years after their launch, Hymer has revamped its more premium Fiat-based campervans. So, we’re talking about the Ayers Rock, Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone (not the entry-level Free range). And it’s the last of that quartet that’s changed the most as it gets a completely new washroom. The new Hymer campervans have a totally new interior design with a choice of two different styles and a design featuring the use of natural-looking surfaces, upholstery fabrics and wall coverings. For example, materials such as cork and ceramics are used, while a heat and noise-insulating felt lining improves insulation. There’s a new emphasis on interior lighting, too. All the lights are equipped with a warm white/cold…

WHEN Fiat announced the end of the road for its short-wheelbase Ducato panel van, it rather pulled the rug from under a select few campervans, including Orange Campers’ original Trouvaille. But necessity being the mother of invention, this small conversion company is responding with not one but two new models. Its longer (medium-wheelbase) Fiat Trouvaille is still being developed but already on the market is the new Trouvaille Actif, based on the Ford Transit Custom. The very first example appeared at last September’s Motorhome and Campervan Show Season Finale at Lincoln but, by January’s Motorhome and Campervan Sale in Peterborough, the design had already been tweaked and refined to what you see here. And this still isn’t exactly to production spec as that will feature just one sliding door and…

AT What Motorhome Towers we’ve been staggered by the number of new names entering the VW campervan market – it seems like we discover one that we didn’t previously know almost weekly. That means that buyers need to be very aware of the variable quality of the different conversions and investigate carefully the reputation of the converter. Edge Campervans can’t call on a long history, having only started in 2019, but its founder, Russ Hubble, previously built bespoke narrowboats, each involving up to 4,000 man hours. Over a 20-year period, he created over £2.5m-worth of boats and the same dedication is now aimed at even smaller living spaces. The company’s conversions don’t yet have Type Approval but it does use TÜV-tested components and Russ is keen to emphasise safety as the…

LAUNCHED at the 2022 Caravan Salon, the Maxia Van 680 ET marks the beginning of a relationship between Hobby and VW. It is far from the only maker that is looking to move away from reliance on its previous chassis suppliers, in this case Citroën and Fiat. To start with, it’s just a single model – a high-top camper based on the long-wheelbase Crafter – but Frank Maukel, Hobby’s Head of Marketing & PR, is keen to stress that more Maxia Van models will follow as part of a “long cooperation with VW.” Clearly, the new model sits above the existing Vantana range, with the spec here including the 177PS engine, eight-speed automatic gearbox and stop/start. It also comes with the latest driving assistance systems, including hill start assist with…

ITINEO is known for A-classes rather than its low-profiles, but what both types have in common with this French brand is keen pricing. But, while the A-classes (now called Famili) come out of the same factory as the parent marque’s models, the Cozi range is assembled in Italy, alongside Giottiline ’vans. Like Itineo’s compact A-classes, the trio of low-profiles has all moved from Fiat to Peugeot for their chassis, so it’s a 140bhp engine and sixspeed manual gearbox here. Also new is a dark grey, plank-effect flooring and a furniture style borrowed from the 6.6-metre Famili ’vans. More importantly, the PC640 (the middle model of three size-wise) is one of the 2023-season ’vans that’s been selected to receive a Spirit Edition upgrade. That means the standard spec includes 16in alloy…

RAPIDO has reduced its Van range to just two models this year, the six-metre V55 with a transverse double bed and the longer V68 with lengthways singles. Both models have detail changes for the new season, with the most noticeable being a switch to Peugeot’s Boxer from the Fiat Ducato. The French lion comes with 140bhp as standard or 165bhp as an upgrade (with Heavy chassis), while the Fiat cab remains an option for those seeking automatic transmission. Of course, the change makes minimal difference to the V68’s external appearance, although the graphics have also been updated. Framed habitation windows are a plus but the lack of glazing in the back doors leaves the rear looking rather utilitarian. The biggest news is inside, where you can now order Luceo furniture…

BERGHAUS REMOTE HIKE BACKPACKS Made from a combination of water-resistant PFC-free 200D ripstop nylon and 600D polyester, the new Remote Hike 35 has been well thought out, with loads of features for a day in the hills – there’s easy access to the main compartment, an adjustable back system, dual-density foam in the arm straps and pre-curved hip belts for load distribution. There’s also a large lid pocket with internal zipped pocket and key clip, a generous elasticated front stash pocket, two walking pole holders, and daisy chain lashing points for extra external storage. Available in a unisex version or a women’s version with a back system designed specifically for the female body, the 35 weighs 1,020g and is priced at £95. It’s also available in a smaller, unisex version…

HYMER has its B-Class ModernComfort in WhiteLine trim, so it’s perhaps no surprise that Frankia now has a Black Line version of its competing Neo. The recipe is the same, take an existing model and pick some choice add-ons from the normally lengthy options list, then throw them in as standard while not increasing the list price to the same degree. In Germany, the saving is said to be around €12,000 compared with a standard Neo equipped to a similar level. And, of course, everyone will know you’ve got the one with the toys because of its metallic Obsidian Black cab. The 16in alloys are gloss black, too, and much of the extra spec is from Mercedes-Benz. That includes semi-automatic climate control, cruise control, a reinforced front axle, start/stop, a…

POP-TOP campers are, perhaps, the only sector in the motoring world where a VW badge is more desirable than the threepointed star. With the exception of Mercedes’ own Marco Polo, therefore, there are few Vito/Vclass-based campervans on the market. However, the Sprinter’s baby brother is not without appeal because it has garageable height and rear-wheel drive amongst its attributes. It also comes with a choice of 136, 163 or 190bhp power outputs and a nine-speed automatic gearbox (fitted as standard to the Jules Verne). This Westfalia is not a new model but it’s shown here in 2023 guise. Unlike the VW-based Kepler conversions, right-hand drive is available, and the look here (in the cab and externally) is very automotive, very Mercedes-Benz. White is probably not the most flattering colour but…

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