Westfalia

Camping-Car Magazine published a review of the Westfalia Nansen 600L campervan, manufactured in France. It also featured reports from the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, which attracted nearly 260,000 visitors, and from the 60th SVDL show in Paris, where 2027 models were displayed. The Vanecdotes podcast told the story of Fiona Lauriol, who traveled for three years in a motorhome with her centenarian grandmother.

The French leisure vehicle show celebrates its 60th anniversary. More than a hundred brands of campervans, motorhomes and caravans are exhibiting. Nearly 33,500 leisure vehicles were sold in France last year, a stable figure after the post-pandemic boom faded. Hymer displays the Grand Canyon S with over a week of off-grid autonomy, while Westfalia shows the Columbus Liner with a dry toilet and a terrace above the cab for an extra €10,000. Many off-road models exceed 3.5 tonnes and require a category C licence. The cheapest model is the Cvan Switch from €46,900. The Concorde Centurion costs €890,000, and the Air Truck Kodiak is priced at €996,000.

At the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, manufacturers presented models for the 2027 season. The Adria Compact 2027 keeps a width of 2.12 m but gains a revised layout, while the Frankia Neo 6.6 H at 6.6 m long and 2.24 m wide offers a choice of bed configurations and a large rear kitchen. The Hymer B-ML on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter base and the Westfalia Columbus Liner with a three-level layout and optional energy packages aim to increase off-grid autonomy. All-wheel-drive Hymer ML-T 570 CrossOver and Grand Canyon S 600 CrossOver, plus the Adria Supertwin 4x4, expand the off-road segment. The VANTourer 600 D with its Variobad 2.0 system and the Adria Matrix 2027 with an electric lifting bed demonstrate interior flexibility. Electrification advances more slowly: the Dethleffs c.core on a Volkswagen Crafter base explores lightweight construction and energy management, while the Niesmann+Bischoff iSmove 2027 can be equipped with up to 600 Ah of lithium batteries and 660 W of solar power.

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.

The Ford Transit Custom Nugget in extended L2 version with a 2.0-litre EcoBlue turbodiesel (125 kW/170 hp), 8-speed automatic and AWD was tested in Italy. The living area is by Westfalia: kitchen with a 33-litre fridge, two beds (upper 1270×2050 mm, lower 1200×1900 mm), pop-up roof with three ventilation openings. Fuel consumption over the trip was around 8 l/100 km against the manufacturer's combined 9.2 l/100 km. L2 dimensions: length 5450 mm, wheelbase 3500 mm, height with awning 2090 mm. The lack of independent air conditioning in the living area and interior heat build-up when parked in the sun were noted.

Caravans Salon Poland 2026 will take place in Poznań from 15 to 18 October. Organisers have announced the stage and practical programme for 16–18 October.

The Lume Ranger wins Caravan of the Year, while the Sunlight IBEX 4x4 takes Camper of the Year. The jury, chaired by Leo Diepemaat, judged innovation and ease of use.

From 26 September to 4 October 2026, the 60th Salon des Véhicules de Loisirs (SVDL) takes place at Paris-Le Bourget. Hall 2B hosts the "Expo Anniversaire" with about ten historic campers and caravans from 1951–1979.

In 1986, at the Caravan Salon in Essen, Westfalia began producing a camper based on the Ford Transit for Ford. The model, named Nugget, featured a rear kitchen and a spirit stove instead of gas, allowing it to be registered as a passenger car. Unlike the VW California, the Ford Nugget is still available with all-wheel drive and a diesel engine.

The 60th Salon des Véhicules de Loisirs opened in Paris-Le Bourget. 150 exhibitors, 650 vehicles and premieres including the Kodiak 6x6 Premium at €996,000.

A review of new 2027 model year motorhomes and campervans has identified five key trends. These include the three-storey Westfalia Columbus Liner with an optional roof terrace, central-bed campervans from Rapido and Campérêve, the La Strada Avanti R with a rear lounge and electric bed, and the Bürstner Habiton 6.1 with a full-length body extension. Other trends noted are coloured and special editions (Laika, Hymer, Eura Mobil), off-road versions (Carado, Sunlight, Pössl), redesigned interiors (Mobilvetta, Autostar) and new compact models (McLouis, Chausson, Dethleffs, Roller Team).

Ford has discontinued the Transit Nugget campervan in the UK due to slow sales. The model, built with Westfalia, continues to be sold in left-hand-drive markets on the continent. It is still listed on Ford's website from £63,150 excluding VAT but no longer appears in the configurator, and orders are subject to available stock.

Ford has unveiled the Transit Custom Nugget Plus camper, developed with Westfalia. The roof extends to a maximum height of 2.4 metres, 37 centimetres more than the standard variant. The interior includes a kitchen and living area with a dining table, a second-row bench for three passengers that converts into a bed, and a double bed in the upper section. Two power outputs are available for the 2.0 EcoBlue engine: 130 or 185 hp. First deliveries are scheduled for the first quarter of 2021.

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.

Westfalia has marked the production of its 600,000th motorhome at its Wiedenbrück plant. The milestone vehicle, a Club Joker Urban, was handed over to Belgian dealer Vanomobil. The company noted that the event does not overshadow ongoing difficult times and further challenges.

The 2026 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon showcased new motorhomes, caravans and camper vans. Among the exhibits were the Reisemobile ATventure 1070 motorhome, 10.7 m long on a Mercedes-Benz Actros chassis with a slide-out kitchen and roof terrace; the Dethleffs c.core concept camper van on a Volkswagen Crafter with a lightweight aluminium Necto body; the Beauer X6 caravan with a sliding section that expands width to 3.6 m; the Bürstner Habiton 6.1 camper van on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with 4x4; the Norantz IPAR 4 on a Mercedes or MAN chassis; the Westfalia Columbus Liner on a Fiat with an optional SkyLounge pop-up roof; the Rapido V64 on a Ducato; and the Adria Supertwin 4x4 on a Mercedes. Volkswagen presented inflatable modules for the California Beach and the all-electric ID. California Cruise based on the ID. Buzz, with production starting in 2027. Prices: Beauer X6 from €74,990, Bürstner Habiton 6.1 at €78,999, Westfalia Columbus Liner from €83,900, Adria Supertwin 4x4 600 from €128,299.

German manufacturer Westfalia has unveiled the Nansen 600L, its first camper van built in France, in Benet, Vendée. The vehicle measures 5.99 metres long and features two modular bunk beds at the rear that convert into a cargo area, plus a central walk-through washroom with two separate sections. The base price is €70,500, with a mandatory Nansen pack at €1,450 and an optional 4 Seasons pack at €2,490.

Westfalia has unveiled the Nansen 600L, a camper based on the Fiat Ducato measuring 5.99 m long, featuring two transverse bunk beds at the rear and a full-width bathroom. The base price is 69,490 euros (as of September 2026). Optional packages include Pack Nansen at 1,450 euros and Pack 4 Season at 2,490 euros. The permissible gross weight is 3,500 kg, optionally upgradable to 4,200 kg.

The 65th CARAVAN SALON 2026 took place in Düsseldorf from 28 August to 6 September. A record 834 companies from 41 countries participated.

At the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, Ford presented the Nugget Hochdach 2027, a high-roof version developed with Westfalia. The model offers increased interior space, the ability to stand upright, an optional toilet, and better insulation. Two diesel engines are available: a 2.0 EcoBlue with 150 hp and a 170 hp variant with an automatic transmission. Prices in Germany are about 3,000 euros higher than the pop-top version.