Stars shine at Caravan Salon

Once again, the 62nd Caravan Salon in Germany is bigger than Ben Hur, with more than 750 national and international exhibitors spread over 16 halls and outdoor areas (250,000 square metres in total) at the Düsseldorf exhibition centre from late August to early September.

Here are some of the highlights...

Big-selling German brand Fendt debuted its ‘Life.Work.Connect’ caravan concept at Caravan Salon.

Tapping into the latest ‘work from anywhere’ theme, Fendt presented two concepts: one designed for business and B2B buyers, while the other caravan complete with work station and ‘ideas board’ was aimed at digital nomads, content creators and influencers.

Knaus Tabbert’s latest, super-light gas-free Yaseo caravan is specifically designed to be towed by the growing number of EVs on the road, like the Hyundai IONIQ6 it was hitched up to at Düsseldorf.

The well-equipped, up-to-five-berth aerodynamic van weighs just 905kg (Tare), and can be charged either from a mains 240V outlet or directly from the tow vehicle’s battery using a V2L charger. It’s relatively affordable too, starting at €22,500 (approx $37,700).

Got a spare €2,000,000 ($A3.35million) for a luxury home on wheels? The VARIO Perfect 1200 Platinum Mercedes-Benz Actros 2653, triple axle, quadruple slide-out motorhome could fit the bill.

The 26-tonne, air-suspended motorhome is described as “a rolling luxury apartment with just under 35m² of living space that comes fully equipped with all accessories – and made in a unique custom fashion”.

No need to leave the supercar at home either, as the high-tech mobile home boasts “four, pneumatically sealing living-area slide-outs on board as well as an XXL garage accommodating a Mercedes-Benz AMG Black Series with automatic retraction on a cantilever car platform or a Porsche 911; or it promotes sustainability by e-mobility with a charging station for such e-vehicles as a Mini SE, Fiat 500 Icon or Smart EQ”.

Burstner’s Habiton lifestyle concept is based on the Renault Kangoo commercial van and is designed to appeal to young singles, couples and adventurous families.

With its inflatable rooftop tent, it’s designed to fit into car parks during the week and act as a comfy camping-mobile on the weekends. The modular camping fit-out includes a removable kitchen module with induction hob and sink, along with an inflatable mattress and electric cooler box.

Japan’s version of an Airstream is hand-made from aluminium, just like the iconic American travel trailer, weighs just 750kg but has a price tag of €62,000, or around $A100,000. For that you get a unique design, inside and out, including some cosy, timber cabin-like sleeping and living quarters, and a kitchen that’s accessible from behind the rear barn doors.

XCabin were spruiking for new European distributors of the premium Japanese camping trailer at the Düsseldorf show, but no word yet whether it’s coming down under...

Citroën has looked to the past for its latest campervan show-stopper, with its retro Type Holidays concept providing a hint of a new range of modern SpaceTourer adventure vans on the way.

The concept’s eye-catching ribbed bodywork is borrowed from classic Type H panel vans built from the late 1940s to the early ’80s, while the interior fit-out is thoroughly modern and includes a pop-top roof, kitchen, sleeping and lounge areas.

Related: New VW California T7 campervan lights up