Best of 2021 Caravan Salon

Volkner Mobile Performance S

The 12m long Volkner Mobil Performance S on its own costs a cool €2,035,000 (about AUD$3.3million), but add in the Bugatti Veyron supercar displayed alongside at the show (and that rides snugly in the motorhome's side garage during transport stages), and the 'driveaway' price soars to €6.5million (AUD10.5million)!

Suffice to say, the 12 tonne uber-luxury Euro motorhome is loaded with premium features, including a €300,000 ($485,000) Burmester audio system, high gloss 'BrilliantBlack' furniture, four heating/cooling systems, 1000 litre freshwater capacity and a 1800Ah battery system with 1830W rooftop solar.

Rocket Camper Mountain

What makes this camper conversion a bit special (apart from its tough looks and matte bronze metaillic paintwork) is that it's based on a German MAN TGE commercial van -- instead of the usual Fiat, Mercedes and Renault campervans you usually see in Europe (and Australia!).

Priced at 83,750 Euro (about $134,000 Aussie dollars), it's got an interesting, open plan layout behind the front seats, with the option of two further passengers seats that are fixed to the floor on steel tracks, and that double as dining seats for a slide-on side table. There's also a cooker and sink built in to the light timber cabinetry, and a fixed double bed at the rear.

Knaus E.Power Drive

German RV giant Knaus Tabbert used this year's Caravan Salon to unveil its first battery-powered EV motorhome.

The Knaus E.Power Drive prototype was developed with motorsport and engineeering specialist HWA, and swaps out the diesel engine and manual transmission of an existing Fiat-based Knaus campervan for an electric motor driving the front wheels.

The e-motor pumps out up to 180kW to deliver highway speeds of up to 110km/h, with the 35kWh lithium-ion battery delivering an electric-only range of around 90km in testing. There's also a range-extending rotary engine (similar to that used in some Mazda car models) fitted, although Knaus is considering other engine types as as well as hydrogen fuel cells as a way to charge the battery and supply electric power directly to the e-motor when on the move. 

Derubis Series 7

In the latest example of boat builders turning their skills to caravan manufacturing, Bosnian luxury yacht maker Derubis unveiled its first caravan at the 2021 Caravan Salon.

Measuring 7.0m long by 2.4m wide, Derubis is hoping to entice an established RV manufacturer to help put the yacht-like composite caravan into production, after it completed a six month design and development program before building the slick show prototype.

Easy Caravanning TakeOff

The new lightweight caravan camper from Dutch manufacturer Easy Caravanning is aimed at the growing number of owners of electric vehicles.

Converting from its sleek aerodynamic travel mode to a basic pop-top camper with interior living, cooking and sleeping options, the TakeOff weighs just 500-590kg (Tare) and 750kg (ATM), so it can be towed by most smaller vehicles. It's pretty affordable too, with prices starting at €15,595 (around AUD$25,000).

Hobby Maxia 4K

As a follow up to its vanlife inspired Beachy, big European manufacturer Hobby unveiled its latest all-weather van, the Maxia 4K, at the Dusseldorf show.

While the 'hygge-style' interior decor looks inviting, owners will have to rely on melted snow when the tiny 47 litre water tank inevitably runs dry!

Renault Hippie Caviar Hotel

French car brand Renault unveiled its idea of a "hippie-chic van", complete with five-star hotel rooftop experience, at this year's Caravan Salon.

The two-tone Hippie Caviar Hotel electric campervan is based on the forthcoming 2022 battery-powered Trafic commercial van and offers a mix of indoor and outdoor living, including a corner armchair and a bench seat that converts to a 145 x 195cm portable double bed; and a rooftop terrace, complete with a coffee table and two removable backrests, accessed from an extractable ladder. Ooh la la!