Mercedes Vito

At the Kampeer en Caravan Jaarbeurs in Utrecht, camper vans based on the Renault Trafic with diesel engine and the electric Renault Trafic E-Tech Electric, already available for order, are on display. Exhibits include the Florida and Nevada by Buscamper op Maat on Volkswagen vans of 4.90 and 5.30 metres, the Wally-Van Classic and Air with slide-outs, the Ford Nugget in bright red, the Westfalia Kelsey on a 5.45-metre Ford Transit Custom with four seats and four berths, and Amigo Campers conversions of the Volkswagen Transporter, Ford Transit Custom and Mercedes Vito. Electric models include the Outbase Delta and Flow on the VW ID. Buzz, the Vantrack LC on the Kia PV5 Passenger (available in Base, Flex and Pop versions, on sale mid-next year) and the Ventje T7 with seven seatbelts and up to four berths.

At the 60th Salon des Véhicules de Loisirs (SVDL) in Paris-Le Bourget, running from 26 September to 4 October, Mercedes-Benz is presenting the French premiere of its facelifted Marco Polo camper van. The model, on the market since 1984, gains 10 cm of additional height under the pop-up roof, redesigned furniture ergonomics, a more efficient refrigerator and a new audio system with eight speakers and a subwoofer. The entry-level 220 d (163 hp, 380 Nm) is priced from €96,638.40 incl. VAT, the mid-range 250 d (190 hp, 440 Nm) at €98,815.20, and the top 300 d (237 hp, 500 Nm) at €103,816.80. A customer discount of €10,000 excl. VAT applies from 26 September to 18 October 2026. By 2030, Mercedes-Benz plans to launch thermal and electric camper van versions on a multi-energy platform.

Westfalia has unveiled the Jules Verne camper based on the Mercedes Vito. At 5.14 m long and under 2 m high, it offers four seatbelts and four berths, plus a separate wet room with shower and toilet. Pricing starts at 77,890 euros (as of September 2026); in 2022 a similar model cost from 61,000 euros. A 190 hp top version with automatic transmission and all-wheel drive is available from 89,040 euros.

September 21 marks 60 days since the publication in Dziennik Ustaw of a law exempting passenger cars towing caravans with a gross combination weight over 3.5 tonnes from tolls on national roads. The new issue of Polski Caravaning includes an article on anti-corrosion protection for motorhomes and tests of the Dacia Duster Hybrid-G 150 4x4 and Mercedes Marco Polo.

At Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, Mercedes presented the new Marco Polo based on the latest Classe V-Sprinter: pop-up roof with aluminium frame, electric bed and 163–237 hp diesels.

At Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, Cubivan was presented — a modular system for vans with kitchen, bathroom and rooftop bed. Launch in 2027, price from 22,000 euros.

Startup Vanna Camp from South Tyrol presented the Cubivan Camping System (CCS), which turns the rear of a van into a camper with kitchen, shower and toilet. The kit costs from 22,000 to 25,000 euros, with orders opening in summer 2027.

Spanish company Panama Vans has unveiled the River R10 Limited Edition, a camper based on the Renault Master with a 170 hp engine, diesel heating, refrigerator, and a lift bed. The starting price is 58,990 euros, about 36,000 euros less than an equivalent Mercedes Marco Polo. The model uses a proven platform with sufficient load capacity, and the lift bed frees up space for bicycles or bulky cargo. Diesel heating is connected to the main fuel tank, eliminating the need for onboard gas, while the 70-liter compressor refrigerator operates on a separate service battery.

Austrian startup Cubivan presented at Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf a modular system that converts passenger vans into campers with a kitchen, shower, toilet and rooftop bed.

Panama Vans, a brand of the Trigano group, has introduced the Panama River R10 camper van based on the Renault Master. The base version costs 54,990 euros, while the Limited Edition is 58,990 euros. The Limited Edition features a 170-hp diesel engine and automatic transmission, and includes the Living pack with auxiliary heating, inverter, and other amenities. For comparison, the Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo starts at 94,918 euros, and the Volkswagen California ranges from 75,000 to 85,000 euros. The camper is certified as a living vehicle.

The Changan Hunter Feizhu camper (from 249,800 yuan) with a range-extender powertrain, 6 kW external power supply and fuel consumption of 1.3 L/100 km outperforms luxury models such as the Mercedes Marco Polo and BMW XM in camping functionality. However, luxury brands retain an edge in interior quality and high-speed comfort. Their price is 3-4 times higher, and their space is limited.

Mercedes-Benz has updated the Marco Polo based on the V-Class for the 2026 season. The camper features a new aluminum double-shell roof, improved insulation, LED lighting with app control, and optional air suspension. Production has moved from Westfalia to Mercedes-Benz's Ludwigsfelde plant. The base 220 d version costs around 80,000 euros, while the top 300 d with all-wheel drive and AMG Line reaches about 122,000 euros.

Germany is Europe's largest caravanning market, with around 15 billion euros in industry turnover and nearly 100,000 new registrations per year. German manufacturers focus on compact design and technical precision rather than sheer size. Well-known models like the VW California and Mercedes Marco Polo have been on the market since the 1980s, but less-known brands are driving innovation.

Mercedes-Benz is updating the Marco Polo for 2027, replacing the GRP roof with an aluminium one. The rear supports now raise 10 cm higher. Officially, the new roof is lighter and stiffer, but the change may also be linked to the shift of production from Westfalia to Mercedes' own facilities.

Messe Düsseldorf hosts the international trade fairs CARAVAN SALON and boot. CARAVAN SALON will take place from August 29 to September 6, 2026, and boot from January 23 to 31, 2027. CARAVAN SALON will feature 93 exhibitors with camper vans, including VW Bulli, Ford Nugget, and Mercedes Marco Polo. boot expects around 1,500 companies from nearly 70 countries.

Auto Plus magazine investigated which used campers can realistically surpass 300,000 km. Leading candidates include the Volkswagen California based on the Transporter with TDI engine, the Mercedes Marco Polo based on the Vito, and the Ford Transit Custom Nugget with EcoBlue engine. The more affordable Renault Trafic SpaceNomad is also considered a reliable option. Fiat Ducato and Iveco Daily, used as bases for many motorhomes, can reach this mileage but require attention to injectors, turbo, DPF, and corrosion. Experts advise choosing a vehicle with a full service history and checking the conversion, including roof seals and gas equipment. Annual maintenance budget for a high-mileage vehicle is 1,500–2,500 euros.

Mercedes-Benz unveiled the updated Marco Polo based on the V-Class, featuring 10 cm more headroom, LED lighting, a new audio system, and MBAC controls. Production moves to Germany; orders start August 5.

The Mercedes Marco Polo (447 series, 2015–2019) remains sought-after on the used market due to its premium interior and driving comfort. Fully equipped examples start at around €40,000, while three-year-old vehicles with up to 50,000 km cost at least €60,000. The OM651 and OM654 diesel engines are known for AdBlue system issues and NOx sensor failures, and timing chain wear may occur after 200,000 km.

Some camper van models, such as the Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo, Volkswagen California, Renault Trafic SpaceNomad, Iveco Daily, and Ford Transit Custom Nugget, can exceed 300,000 km with regular maintenance. Key factors for longevity include robust diesel engines and quality construction. Demand for campers in France has grown significantly since the end of pandemic restrictions.

German manufacturer Westfalia has introduced the Kipling 2026 camper van built on the Ford Transit/Tourneo Custom platform. It is offered with 2.0 EcoBlue diesel engines producing 136 or 170 hp, with manual or automatic transmission, and optional all-wheel drive for €4,400. Standard features include a pop-up roof with a double bed, fixed toilet, kitchen, outdoor shower, Webasto heating, and 50-litre fresh and grey water tanks. Prices start at €68,190, roughly €30,000 less than comparable Mercedes Marco Polo models.