Hobby

Visitors to the Belgian Mobicar 2026 show voted for their favourite caravans and motorhomes of 2027 across twelve categories. The categories are split by minimum and maximum price, which does not match the retail price in the Netherlands. In the caravan category, the Hobby Beachy 420+ won under 25,000 euros and the Adria Alpina 583 UL won from 25,000 euros. Among mini camper vans, the Dreamer Cap Easy took the under 70,000 euros category and the Westfalia Club Joker Urban won from 70,000 euros. In the camper van segment, the Adria Twin 600SLB won under 70,000 euros and the Ventje Volkswagen T7 won from 70,000 euros.

The Hobby Beachy 360 moves into the 2027 model year almost unchanged and remains a compact, light caravan for spontaneous outings. The range has existed for five years and traces back to a concept shown in 2021; Beachy now includes four layouts, with the 360 as the smallest model. The caravan measures 5.08 m overall, with a body length of 3.66 m, width of 2.16 m and height of 2.67 m; the quoted unladen weight is 749 kg, the permissible total weight is 1,000 kg and can be raised to 1,200 kg as an option. Inside there is a face-to-face seating group that converts into a bed for two adults and a child, a simple kitchen with a 39-litre 12 V cool box and a 25-litre fresh water tank. Prices start at around €15,700 to €17,000 depending on country and dealer, before extras.

In a long-term test, a combination of a Mercedes V 300 d 4matic and a Hobby De Luxe 460 UFe caravan covered about 4,500 km. At the halfway point, Promobil reports that the caravan has maintained the solidity and build quality noted in its solo test, and that the V-Class van performs on par with a modern SUV. The test also challenges the notion that towing a caravan is always very slow.

Hobby has introduced the semi-integrated Maxia T 740 WF motorhome with a rare layout: a longitudinal rear bed, an open living area and a rear bathroom that uses the full body width. The 7.4-metre-long, 2.4-metre-wide model is aimed at couples who prioritise living space over storage; for those needing a bicycle garage, the shorter 710 GE in the Maxia range is more suitable. The front living area features swivelling front seats, a corner bench and a wide sofa on the right, comfortably seating three at the table, while four becomes cramped.

Review of the Hobby Ontour Van 600 FT: the six-metre camper van with a 140 hp turbodiesel is suitable for short trips and city driving, but its interior height, transverse bed and shower pose challenges for people 2.02 m tall.

Reisemobil-Ratgeber has published a step-by-step guide to fitting the Fiamma Carry-Bike Pro C rear bike rack to a Hobby Ontour T 700 FH motorhome. The rack costs from €394, weighs 9 kg and can carry up to 60 kg. The work was carried out by Holm Caravaning in Norderstedt near Hamburg, with labour starting at around €250. The motorhome's rear wall has factory-fitted polyurethane reinforcement profiles designed to take such loads. Fitting requires the manufacturer's construction drawings so that the mountings sit in the reinforced areas.

Camping-Car Magazine has published a video recap featuring five motorhomes from the Salon des Véhicules de Loisirs (SVDL) at Paris-Le Bourget. The selection includes: the Niesmann+Bischoff Arto 88, a premium integrated motorhome on a 150 hp Mercedes Sprinter base with extensive customisation; the Florium Baxter 69 LJG, a compact 6.99 m coachbuilt model with twin rear beds and a 100 Ah lithium battery as standard; the Benimar Amphitryon A981, an integrated motorhome that replaces the traditional rear bedroom with a large modular lounge; the Hymer GT-S 600 Stone Edition, a 7.09 m coachbuilt model on a 170 hp Mercedes Sprinter base; and the Hobby Prestige T 740 WE, featuring a full-width rear bathroom and twin beds on a Fiat Ducato base. The next edition of the SVDL is scheduled for 25 September to 3 October 2027 at the Paris-Le Bourget exhibition centre.

Hobby unveiled the 2027 Prestige T 740 WE at the Bourget show, featuring a full-width rear bathroom. The layout pairs this bathroom with twin beds; a similar configuration with a double bed is offered on the 740 WF. The motorhome is built on a Fiat Ducato chassis with a gross vehicle weight of 4,400 kg.

Hobby has announced changes to its Excellent Edition caravan for the current model year. The interior has been made warmer with wood tones featuring coarser, more vivid grain in places where white cabinets were previously used, and ambient lighting has been added along the top, under the cabinets and in the corners. An optional digital control panel is available. Together with Knott, Hobby has made the underside of the caravan flat so that pipes, electrical wires and axles no longer disturb the airflow; this is expected to significantly reduce drag and cut fuel consumption of the towing vehicle. According to the video, the underbody panel will eventually be available for all Knott chassis, not only Hobby. The 495UL model has a body length of 5.94 m, a technically permissible weight of 1,500 kg (which can be increased) and an unladen weight of about 1,300 kg; a category B driving licence is sufficient.

Hobby has cut prices on its narrow semi-integrated Ontour C models by 9,000 euros. The Ontour C 680 GE now starts at 69,990 euros, while the Ontour C 700 GQ starts at 71,990 euros. The HobbyKomplett specification, which includes an awning, heated rear garage, Truma Combi heating and a 133-litre Dometic fridge, remains unchanged. The models use a Citroën Light chassis with 140 hp and front-wheel drive, with a wheelbase of 3.80 metres. The 680 GE measures 6.75 metres and has a running order mass of 3,028 kg; the 700 GQ measures 6.97 metres and weighs 3,084 kg. The 700 GQ has a payload reserve of 81 kg for optional equipment.

At the VdL 2026 show, Hobby is presenting the Ontour C 700 GQ, a narrow profile motorhome measuring 2.16 m wide and 6.97 m long, based on a Citroën Jumper 140 hp with automatic transmission. The show version includes automatic transmission, KOS fabric upholstery, additional dinette bed, ambient lighting, a 7-inch control panel and extra power sockets. The exhibited model is priced at €79,625, a €8,000 saving from the catalogue price of €87,725. MTPLM is 3500 kg, payload 468 kg.

Promobil tested a Mercedes V300d towing a Hobby De Luxe 460 UFe caravan on a trip from Stuttgart to South Tyrol. The journey to Caravan Park Sexten took eight hours due to a traffic jam on the Fernpass. The 237 hp all-wheel-drive vehicle towed a caravan weighing around 1,300 kg; average fuel consumption was just over 10 l/100 km while driving at 105 km/h on German motorways and crossing the Fernpass and Brenner passes. The lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control were noted to work accurately with the trailer.

German manufacturer Hobby unveiled the semi-integrated Prestige T 2026 motorhome at the Caravan Salon show in Düsseldorf. The model will go on sale this year with a starting price of 87,650 euros. Built on a Fiat chassis, it measures 7.1 metres long and 2.40 metres wide. A 180 hp diesel engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. One layout is available — the PRESTIGE T 710 GE, designed for a couple or family.

CARAVANING has compiled a list of seven tandem-axle caravans aimed at couples. Single-axle models are typically limited to around eight metres in length and two tonnes gross weight; tandem axles allow lengths over nine metres and gross weights from 2.5 tonnes. The selection includes the Adria Alpina 663 HT (8.70 m, 2,500 kg, from 48,190 euros), Fendt Diamant 650 GDW (8.60 m, 2,400 kg, from 59,370 euros), Hobby Prestige 660 WFC (8.33 m, 2,000 kg, from 41,940 euros), Kabe Imperial 630 TDL FK (8.50 m, 2,300 kg, from 93,495 euros), Knaus Nordwind 660 PXB (8.65 m, 2,200 kg, from 49,900 euros), Polar Chimera 650 BQDA (8.55 m, 2,000 kg, from 93,390 euros) and Tabbert Puccini 685 DF Finest Edition (8.94 m, 2,760 kg, from 56,690 euros).

Hobby has unveiled the De Luxe 540 UL caravan for 2026. With a total length of 7.30 m and a width of 2.30 m, it has a kerb weight of 1,347 kg and a standard axle rated at 1,600 kg, leaving a payload of 253 kg. Inside, two single beds (1.95 x 0.83 m) can be converted into a double, while a rear dinette with a movable table also serves as a bed for children. The price is €21,000 as of May 2026.

Hobby has introduced an updated version of the Prestige T motorhome. The interior features straightened overhead lockers with indirect lighting and concealed closures, a redesigned kitchen, and seats with higher backrests. The color scheme includes white and graphite gray, with a yacht-style floor. The sleeping area now has a padded headboard with shelves and lighting. Two new floor plans have been added: T 740 WE with centrally placed single beds and T 740 WF with a side bed, both featuring a full-width rear bathroom.

From August 28 to September 6, 2026, the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf will showcase 2027 model year vehicles. Announced models include Adria Compact DL, Bürstner Signature SMT, Carado T335, Chausson X640, Hobby Prestige T 740, and Phoenix Top Liner 9000 BMLX. Prices: Fendt NEXT 381 starts under €20,000, Crosscamp Elmnt under €54,000, Bürstner B66 640 C from €62,666. Niesmann+Bischoff iSmove will feature standard Fiat Safety Kit, and Truma will launch a gas regulator with crash sensor.

The editorial team conducted a first test drive of the new Hobby Ontour Van 600 camper based on a 6-meter Citroën Jumper with 140 hp and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Over an evening, a night and a day, the vehicle covered about 200 km from the Stuttgart area to Ellwangen for the state garden show. The large bed, functional kitchen and thoughtful details were praised, but the bathroom drew criticism.

promobil editors have begun a long-term test of the Hobby Ontour Van 600 FT on a Citroën Light chassis. The 5.99 m long, 2.05 m wide and 2.66 m high camper with a 3.5 t GVWR and 140 hp diesel will be evaluated for reliability, fuel consumption, wear and comfort. Base price is €69,245; the test vehicle with options (automatic, panoramic roof, ambient lighting, side window) costs €76,100. Special attention will be paid to the limited payload (536 kg) and sleeping arrangements (rear bed 1.94×1.40 m, convertible dinette 1.82×0.58 m).

In 2025, 94,134 new leisure vehicles were registered in Germany, of which more than 75,000 were motorhomes. Despite caravans being significantly cheaper to buy (e.g., Hobby OnTour at €22,160 vs. €54,799 for a Carado V337), many campers choose motorhomes for comfort, spontaneity, and mobility. Motorhomes also have advantages in taxes and parking: in Switzerland, caravans require two vignettes, and parking a caravan on the street is limited to 14 days. However, caravans remain more economical to maintain and allow the use of the car separately at the destination.