Turning a car into a camper for €2,000

The Stellantis group will present a new powertrain for motorhome base chassis at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf. The new 2.2-liter Multijet turbo diesel with 180 hp and an eight-speed automatic transmission reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 10% compared to previous versions. Both components meet Euro 6e/Euro VIe emission standards and will be available for the Citroën Jumper, Fiat Ducato, Opel Movano, and Peugeot Boxer models.

IMTEST tested the Forster V 599 VBL camper van based on the Citroën Jumper. The six-meter van priced at €54,040 received a rating of 2.9 ("satisfactory") due to cramped bunk beds up to 1.9m long and outdated base technology lacking a rearview camera.

A nurse from the Ore Mountains converted her electric Smart into a mini motorhome for a trip to the Polish Baltic coast. The 17 kWh battery will require about five charging stops of two hours each, which will be used as sleep breaks. The 14-day trip is planned for the end of April and will pass through approximately ten campsites.

German company Ari Motors has introduced the electric motorhome Ari 458 Pro, which is 3.82 meters long. Its width is 1.49 meters, and its range varies from 120 to 230 kilometers depending on the battery. Sales of the model will begin in May 2026, with a starting price of 25,530 euros excluding taxes.

A motorhome rolled into the Rhine near Rheinstetten due to a brake failure. The floating vehicle drifted for about 20 minutes, was towed, but then sank in the shipping lane, blocking traffic for an hour until it was recovered. No one was injured and no hazardous liquids leaked.

The German company Ari Motors has introduced the Ari 458 Pro motorhome, which is between 3.5 and 3.82 meters long. It is based on an electric light commercial vehicle with a range of up to 230 kilometers and is intended for leisurely trips on country roads. The motorhome is delivered without furniture but with pre-installed electrical wiring, solar panels, and water connections.