Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2024 i What Motorhome

This is always a thrilling (if exhausting) time of year in this job as we head off on one budget flight after another to new-season motorhome launches across the continent. As we lug cameras into another rental car and head for a hotel we’re rarely sure whether we’ll be shown an “exciting” new colour of wood for the furniture or a truly groundbreaking new model. What’s certain is that we’re there to bring you the very first news of all the latest ’vans – and that we’d rather be doing all this travelling in a motorhome! You’ll probably have to wait until October’s NEC show to see most of these newcomers in the metal, although you could pop over to Düsseldorf for the mind-blowing Caravan Salon (30 August to 8…

CARTHAGO has introduced a new C2-tourer model line, new layouts and an all-new A-class ‘face’ for 2025. The German manufacturer has also embarked on a ‘3.5-tonne offensive’, which sees it launch two variants of many of its models, with a choice of Lightweight versions that can all be driven on a standard 3.5-tonne car licence or the new Comfort range on a 4.2-tonne chassis. All models also benefit from a weight-reduction programme that has seen some ’vans lose as much as 100kg through the use of different materials and construction techniques. NARROWER MERC A-CLASSES The big news is the C2-tourer, based exclusively on the Mercedes Al-Ko chassis and with a slimmer (2.17m) overall width. The new C2-tourer model line is named the ‘Smart Liner Class’ because it is lighter (by…

EURA Mobil will launch an all-new A-class at the Caravan Salon Düsseldorf in August, but we’ve already had a sneak preview. The new Integra Line GT is based on the Mercedes Sprinter and, initially, there will be two models – 726 QF (island bed) and 726 EF (single beds), which only differ in their bedroom layouts. Forward of their bedrooms, each has a split washroom with shower on one side and toilet on the other, while at the front, the lounge comes with twin facing sofas. The GT models are based on the current (Fiat) Integra Line but numerous new features include a new double floor concept. Outside, there’s a completely new design, while Al-Ko’s super-low-frame chassis is 9cm lower and enables a deeper double floor of 20cm (+8cm) and increased…

SITTING at the top of the Erwin Hymer Group tree, Niesmann + Bischoff has always been all about luxury. Its focus, apart from a brief foray into low-profiles, continues to be premium A-class motorhomes. And this year is important as it marks the completion of a four-year journey to overhaul the company’s entire product range. This started with the introduction of the Smove low-profile with its very different interior style. This lightweight range was quickly followed by the A-class iSmove with the same look. Then, last year, the flagship Flair was relaunched, featuring this contemporary style but with more upmarket and innovative features, like a dividing wall that could be opaque or transparent at the touch of a button. The company’s most important range, Arto, is last, but by no…

CHAUSSON has revealed its 2025 model line-up for the UK, which marks the return of overcab coachbuilts (three models, all based on Fiat Ducato and available only in entry-level First Line trim). The 5.99m-long C514 starts the range (from £58,990) with a rear transverse double bed and half dinette lounge. The C656 (£62,990) is a true family model with twin pullman dinettes and rear bunk beds in a sub-7m body (main photo above). Completing the line-up, the C727 (£64,990) has rear twin beds and is 7.36m long. The other major development is the arrival of a new layout in the compact (2.10m wide) ‘S’ low-profile range, based on Ford Transit. The 6.59m-long S695 has a unique floorplan on the market currently, featuring a lengthways French bed (1.90m by 1.20m) on…

LAST August, Frankia surprised us with a prototype, called Now. Less than a year later, production models are due in the UK. The colour schemes have now been confirmed, too. The original, retaining its vibrant mustard accents, has been renamed ‘Sun’. And it’s joined by Ocean (blue) and Peach (more of a russet colour). The Now 7.0L is otherwise the same across all three schemes, apart from a flash of exterior colour. So, there’s a flat floor through from the cab to the steps up to its rear single beds. The open feeling from the prototype has been retained, making this 7.05m motorhome feel very spacious. Changes for the production model start in the lounge, where you can opt for high-level lockers or a drop-down bed. In the kitchen you…

ITALIAN marque, Rimor, which manufactures an extensive portfolio of keenly priced overcab and low-profile motorhomes, as well as campervans, at its factory in Tuscany, has created a new range of coachbuilts for 2025. It has also revealed a new company logo and new layouts for the both its Kilig (Ford coachbuilt) and Horus (Fiat campervan) line-ups. The big news is the arrival of a range called the Bliss. This is a mid-priced line-up that sits above Rimor’s entry-level Kilig and adopts all the layouts from the previous Seal range, which has now been discontinued. The new Bliss range is based on the latest Fiat Ducato and is made up of six overcab models (five of which are under 7m long) and eight lowprofile models (four of them less than 7m). Between…

THE star of Weinsberg’s 2025 range is the new X-Pedition 600 MQ – an eye-catching campervan that combines a rugged exterior with a luxury interior. From the outside, this six-metre Mercedes Sprinter camper has all the hallmarks of a vehicle designed for off-road adventures, with chunky BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres, an external ladder, a front bull bar and a light bar built into the roof rack. Priced (in its homeland) at €119,890, Weinsberg describes the two-berth X-Pedition as being “full of off-road DNA”. It is available with either rear-wheel drive or with Merc’s fully automatic 4x4 system. However, inside it’s all about the comfort and convenience. Contrasting dark and light wood, steel and warm fabrics combine to create a smart, modern interior, with distinctive vertical wall panelling strips giving the…

BÜRSTNER’S new star turn is the Campeo TD, a range of Fiat Ducato-based low-profile motorhomes that will replace the previous Delfin and Limited models and sit below the popular Lyseo TD Harmony Line. All versions of the new range come with diesel heating and the My Bürstner app, so that you can adjust the heating and fridge, or check water/battery levels from your phone. Most important of all the Campeo TD’s features, though, is the technical double floor (housing the fresh water tank, etc) which ensures a single floor level throughout the living area. Bürstner calls it the Thermo-Floor and it’s rare to find such a premium feature in a mainstream low-profile motorhome, especially as the Campeo TD is expected to cost thousands less than the Lyseo (which has the…

THE all-new Ford Transit Custom is now starting to appear on the market in campervan form, with Dreamer offering two conversions – the latest version of the Cap Land and the new City Camp which, strictly speaking, is marketed separately under the new ‘City by Dreamer’ tag with its own dealer network. It’s the short-wheelbase (5.05m long) City Camp that is the more conventional, with its side kitchen layout and rear-hinged pop-top. But this model, which is built at the Westfalia factory in Germany, is not without its novelties, including a sliding door on both sides. It has a compact galley with singleburner hob, plus a portable/removable 25-litre fridge, and is also available with a choice of a traditional rear bench seat (which folds to make the bed) or two individual…

THE key news from Giottiline is the Toscan 69XF, a 7m low-profile which will be available with the new Premier Edition spec that adds an automatic gearbox, alloy wheels, dualpoint locking for the door, pleated blinds, a leather steering wheel with radio controls, cab and lounge carpets and an awning. It is expected that all UK models will come equipped with the new pack. The 69XF has a layout that has proven popular in Britain and follows the same basic template as the shorter, entry-level, Siena 350 – a drop-down bed above the front parallel-sofa lounge, a central kitchen, and rear bathroom and garage. However, the new model uses its extra length to provide a larger lounge, bigger kitchen, separate shower and generous rear storage, including wardrobes above the garage. Giottiline…

KNAUS has launched a liner-inspired luxury campervan, with preliminary details of the Mercedes Sprinter Cascan 690 LE being announced at the brand’s launch event in Bavaria. So far, only the exterior of the Cascan has been revealed. However, Knaus says that this flagship campervan will have a modern, luxury interior with a similar design approach to an urban apartment. According to the company, “The furniture ‘flows’ elegantly into the space, leaving the impression that everything is simply in place. The fittings in the kitchen and bathroom are in a striking and refined shade of black. Unusual open areas are clearly accented with striking lines, contrasts and tactile qualities.” The living area will resemble a lounge and will also be suitable as a child’s bed, in addition to two single beds…

THE most noticeable change at Pilote this season is a completely new look internally, the first such wholesale revamp in five years. However, although the aesthetics are new, the company says the structure behind is unchanged, so there is no risk of reduced build quality. The new interiors combine softened curves on the top cupboards with geometric lines on the base units and include washrooms featuring a new acrylic, scratch-resistant basin and round mirror, new upholsteries and new wall cladding. European poplar wood is used for strength and lightness, while imitation leather from the automotive industry is claimed to be highly resistant to abrasion, as well as easy to keep clean. Two décor schemes will be available: Annecy with white top lockers and wood finish lower down, and Pyla (main…

WESTFALIA is launching a new version of its Kelsey campervan on the latest ‘V710’ Ford Transit Custom. It is one of five new or updated models that the iconic German brand will be introducing in the UK in 2025, one of which remains under wraps until later this year. Firstly, the new Kelsey (which is closely related to the Dreamer Cap Land – see page 14) is based on the long-wheelbase Transit Custom (5.45m), with 150 or 170hp motors. It gains around €4,000-worth of extra features compared with the old model and comes with a sliding door on both sides. The kitchen has a two-burner hob and 51-litre compressor fridge, while the lounge has a bench seat that turns into a double bed electrically. There’s a second bed in the…