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Welcome to this campervan-themed issue. Increasingly, it seems the major motorhome manufacturers are investing heavily in van-based vehicles, or at least van-sized models. With UK roads so crowded, that’s hardly surprising, but it’s surely more about being able to get off the beaten track in a smaller vehicle, to be able to park up discreetly or to stop easily in town centres. I know my own tour of the NC500 a year ago (above) would have been less fun (and potentially a lot more stressful) had I been travelling in a much bigger ’van than my faithful VW T6 HemBil Urban. I am also very aware, though, that campervan prices have shot out of reach of some buyers. So we’ve included some very tempting used buys in this issue, as…
The Chausson ‘X’, the crossover vehicle that blends motorhome facilities with campervan size, returns for the 2024 season after a year out (as Chausson previously struggled to meet demand). Described by the company as “neither vans nor motorhomes… imagine a new generation of vehicles which merges the agility of vans and the comfort of low-profiles. Compact outside, spacious inside”, the existing X550 also gets a bigger brother for the first time – the X650. The six-metre (and 2.10m wide) X550 returns to Britain with just minor changes (some new ‘X’ motifs next to the fridge and on the underside of the drop-down bed) – but also a key detail. Watch our video at motorhome.ma/review220 (752,000 people already have), and you’ll see that a major point of contention was the lack…
Volkswagen has launched a long-wheelbase version of its all-electric ID Buzz. At 4.96m long, and with up to seven seats, the LWB ID Buzz has an extra 25cm in the wheelbase, which has created enough space for the third row of seats and a new, larger 85kWh battery. It comes with a 286bhp electric motor. The LWB ID Buzz also features an upgraded infotainment system, remote smartphone parking and a newly designed 1.5 square-metre panoramic sunroof with smart glass, which can be changed from transparent to opaque using a touch slider or voice assistant. The world première of the LWB ID Buzz took place at surfer hotspot, Huntington Beach, near Los Angeles, on 2 June – a launch that marks the comeback of the VW bus in North America. The…
Just two years ago, Electric Brands launched the modular XBus concept to the world. It was designed to be an electric vehicle that had a wide range of variants to suit almost any need, from tipper truck to campervan. The company also claims that the modules can be changed from one variant to another without special tools. Some concepts come and go without us ever seeing one in the metal but the XBus is different. At a recent London event, we managed to see the campervan and talk to some of the team behind it. Across Europe, there have been nearly 17,000 pre-orders for the XBus already, with the majority being campervans, of which there are two variants – standard and off-road. Both come with all-wheel drive, a pop-top, a…
Dometic has launched its new FreshJet FXJ series of rooftop air-conditioning units. According to its maker, the two new electronic models (1,700W and 2,200W) “cool down the cabin in record time with minimal energy consumption and are superbly quiet”. Both have an integrated purifier system to filter out bacteria and unpleasant smells. Fitted on your motorhome’s ceiling, the Air Distribution Box has been redesigned with an optimised airflow system for improved efficiency and minimal noise, while the size and shape of the air vent blades have been altered to allow for fingertip adjustment of the direction of airflow. Externally, the FreshJet FJX has an aerodynamically shaped rooftop unit, while both models are also equipped with connectivity features for control via a smartphone. Dometic has also launched a new entry-level version…
The BULLILOVEstories movie celebrated its world première at the VW Bus Festival in Hanover, Germany, on 23 June. Thousands of Bulli campervan enthusiasts gathered at Hermesplatz to witness the screening of the road movie, which is part of the #BULLILOVEstories series, in which VW bus enthusiast, Christian Schlüter, embarked on a remarkable journey, covering more than 34,000 miles, through 33 countries, in less than a year. The film showcases the diverse stories of VW bus owners from around the world, delving into their experiences and the love they have for the lifestyle. From a couple in Switzerland whose affection for their VW is evident in their wedding rings, to a passionate fan from the UK who ensures the cleanliness of Cornwall’s beaches with his T2 boasting over 1,300,000km on the…
