Practical test: 1600 km with a caravan towed by BMW iX3

In the preliminary round of the ADAC 'Camper of the Year' competition in Steißlingen, Bernd Gür from Lahr finished second. The competition involved 32 participants who underwent driving safety training and completed tasks at ten stations, including weight estimation, setting up a warning triangle, and assembling a tent. Gür tied with Diana Seidel from Munich but lost in a tie-break. He received a trophy and a 150-euro voucher for camping supplies.

A new motorhome site with 17 pitches has opened at the Globe Theater in Neuss, operated by Camper-Clean. Booking and management are fully digital, but the lack of a service station for waste disposal and water supply remains an issue. The operator promises improvements and views the site as a testing ground for innovations to be showcased at the Caravan-Salon in Düsseldorf at the end of August.

Atlantis has released a preview of its new Carbon 4x4 model based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The official debut will take place at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, Salone del Camper in Parma, and the Bern trade fair in 2026. The model features a carbon-fiber monocoque, Torque-on-Demand all-wheel drive, a 2.0-liter turbodiesel with 190 hp, and a 9-speed automatic transmission. Dimensions are 675 cm in length, 215 cm in width, and 310 cm in height. Standard equipment includes lithium batteries, solar panels, insulated 180-liter tanks, and a double floor. Two floor plans will be available at launch: one with a rear double bed and one with twin beds.

Mercedes-Benz will for the first time fully convert the V-Class into the Marco Polo camper at its own plant in Ludwigsburg, Germany, reducing delivery times. The updated model features a roof that opens 10 cm higher, new LED lighting, an improved awning, and an eight-speaker audio system.

In Wolmirsleben, Saxony-Anhalt, around 70 people defied a swimming ban and held an unauthorized 'people's swimming day' at the closed Schachtsee beach. Police dispersed them in the morning, but after officers left, the bathers returned. The beach and campsite are closed due to missing building permits and fire safety violations, a decision upheld by two court rulings.

The French price list for Carado motorhomes shows a significant price gap compared to the Netherlands. The compact CV540, a 5.41-meter camper van based on the Peugeot Boxer, starts at €48,390, while the longer CV600 (5.99 m) starts at €49,390. In the Netherlands, the same models start at €66,590 and €67,890 respectively, a difference of €18,200 and €18,500. The main reason is the Dutch bpm tax (37.7% of the net catalog price plus €273 for diesel), along with differences in VAT, equipment, and transport costs. Buying in France does not exempt buyers from bpm and VAT when registering in the Netherlands.