The first Volkswagen camper conversion was made in 1951 at the request of a British officer who wanted a bed and a desk in his van. The work was done by Westfalia-Werke, which later became VW's official converter. By 1958, around 1,000 conversions had been completed. The Tourist Delivery Program helped spread VW campers among American military personnel in Europe. The partnership between VW and Westfalia ended in 2003 when Volkswagen began producing the California model itself.
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At the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, 10 new campervans are presented with prices ranging from 48,900 to over 100,000 euros. Among the novelties are models with electric lift beds, transformable bathrooms, all-wheel drive, and even a roof terrace. Highlights include new models from Adria, Carado, Challenger, Etrusco, VanTourer, Forster, Laika, Pössl, Sunlight, and Westfalia.
For the 2027 season, manufacturers are presenting alternative layouts that break with the standard campervan design. The Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, from August 28 to September 6, 2026, will showcase these innovations, including the Dreamer D64 Select with the first queen-size bed in a campervan, the Rocket Bike with an XXL garage for four bicycles, the Flowcamper Max Grande with a roof sofa, the Westfalia Columbus Liner with a two-story layout, and the Matist L with a two-meter bed on a Ford Transit base.
From September 3 to 6, 2026, motorhome dealer ACCS 50 in Guilberville will host the 'En Route Vers l’Été Indien' event. Over 40 motorhomes, campervans, and vans will be on display, featuring new models from Bavaria, Westfalia, and Challenger. The event includes offers such as a reversible air conditioner for €1 on selected models, a towbar for €1 on selected vans, plus used vehicle sales and financing options. Test drives are available by appointment.
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.
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.
At the CARAVAN SALON in Düsseldorf, Westfalia will present the new Columbus Liner camper van based on the Fiat Ducato with a three-level layout. The model features a King Size bed, an optional Sky Lounge roof terrace, and a large rear storage compartment. Three diesel engines with 140, 160, and 180 hp are available, with prices starting at €84,605.
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German manufacturer Westfalia unveiled the compact camper Kipling 2026 based on the Ford Transit/Tourneo Custom. It offers 2.0 EcoBlue diesels (136 and 170 hp), optional all-wheel drive, and a fixed bathroom. Prices start at €68,190.
In Italy, in the province of Pavia, a first-generation Volkswagen Transporter 4 camper, built in 1992 and registered in 1993, has been discovered. The vehicle features an original Westfalia conversion with badge number 01465. Its condition makes it suitable as a retro exhibit.
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Westfalia will present the Nansen 600L camper at Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, based on Fiat Ducato, 5.99 m long. Four berths, separate shower and toilet, price from €69,490.
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Westfalia introduced the Sven Hedin camper van based on the MAN TGE, measuring 5.98 meters in length. The model seats four and sleeps two, featuring a fixed bed with a pop-out extension, a bathroom, and a 90-liter refrigerator. Prices start at €78,555.
Autofacil tested the Mercedes Clase V Marco Polo, a luxury camper van converted by Westfalia. A new unit costs between €100,000 and €120,000 depending on engine, drivetrain, and equipment. The 300 d 4Matic version with 237 hp and all-wheel drive is €12,000 more expensive than the base. Fuel consumption is around 9.0–9.5 L/100 km, which at current diesel prices means about €15 per 100 km. Pros include travel freedom without hotel bookings, a comfortable pop-up roof bed, high-quality interior materials, and good road manners. Cons are the high price, the 1.99 m height that may restrict parking, and the rule that camping (awning, chairs, overnight stay) is only allowed in designated areas.
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Westfalia unveiled the Sven Hedin 50 Years Edition based on the MAN TGE. Available in three retro colors, it features a 2.0-liter diesel with 163 hp and an 8-speed automatic. Price in Germany starts at €99,990.
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Westfalia unveiled the Columbus Liner at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, based on a 6.36 m Fiat Ducato. Instead of extra sleeping berths, the focus is on the roof: a pop-up tent with mosquito net creates a 'Sky Lounge' accessible via the rear king-size bed. An optional SkyBar coffee machine is available. The model offers 4 seats and 2–4 berths, a kitchen with induction hob and 90-litre compressor fridge, plus a heated double floor. Prices start at €83,900 and go up to around €115,000.
Westfalia has introduced the James Cook 600 E camper based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The vehicle measures 5.93 meters in length, 2.05 meters in width, and 2.85 meters in height. Standard equipment includes a slide-out rear module that expands the sleeping area to 2.05 by 1.40 meters. Inside, there is a large shower room, a kitchen with a 90-liter refrigerator, a 100-liter fresh water tank, and a diesel combination heating system. Three roof options are available: standard, pop-up, and fixed high roof. The model is offered with a 2.0-liter engine producing 110 kW (150 hp) or optionally 140 kW (190 hp), with manual or automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is available. Prices start at 96,595 euros.
A 1978 Volkswagen Type 2 Westfalia Campmobile is being auctioned. It features a 1970cc air-cooled flat-four engine, a four-speed manual transmission, and 84,000 miles on the odometer. The body is repainted in Dakota Beige, and the interior has plaid upholstery. Equipment includes a pop-up roof tent, a Dometic Catalina 2500 side awning, and an external power hookup. The seller notes damage to the tent fabric. The refrigerator is non-functional. The engine was replaced in 2014, and the braking system was overhauled in 2015.
Yusuke, a member of the comedy duo 'Dian', released a video on his YouTube channel on July 11, 2026, showing a visit to a specialized Volkswagen store in Osaka. At the GAKUYA dealership, he examined several Vanagon models, including the T3 Westfalia camper, the T3 Caravelle minivan, and the all-wheel-drive T3 Syncro. Yusuke praised the spacious interiors and the condition of the vehicles, noting that the T3 Syncro can accommodate four people for sleeping.
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Westfalia presented two new models based on the Fiat Ducato at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon 2026: the compact Nansen 600L with bunk beds and the premium Columbus Liner with three levels.
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The Mercedes Marco Polo is a factory-built camper based on the V-Class, developed with Westfalia. The price difference over a standard V-Class is 300,000–500,000 yuan, while a DIY conversion costs 150,000–250,000 yuan. The factory version includes an electric pop-up roof, a full kitchen with sink, stove and fridge, and an MBAC control system. Benefits include higher integration, retained factory warranty and better resale value. For users who camp more than 10 times a year, the premium pays off in 3–5 years through time savings and reliability.
German manufacturer Westfalia has announced the premium Columbus Liner model based on the Fiat Ducato, measuring 6.36 m in length. The camper features a three-level layout: a living area with kitchen and bathroom, a king-size bedroom on the second level, and a garage for two e-bikes. An optional Sky Lounge rooftop terrace with an espresso machine is available. Prices start at €83,900, with the world premiere scheduled for August 2026 at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf.