Weinsberg has introduced the new Carabus Grey range of camper vans based on the Fiat Ducato. Models from 5.4 to 6.36 meters in length feature a full kitchen and a bathroom with shower. The starting price in Spain is around €63,000, which is approximately €25,000 cheaper than compact rivals like the Volkswagen California and Mercedes Marco Polo.

The market for compact camper vans based on minivans continues to grow in 2026. Key models include the Volkswagen California, Mercedes Marco Polo, Ford Transit Custom Nugget, and Volkswagen Caddy California. These vehicles, built by manufacturers or specialists like Westfalia, offer a balance between daily use and travel, being officially certified as campers.

German specialist Bürstner has unveiled the Copa, a full conversion of the Ford Transit Custom into a camper van. The vehicle features a pop-up roof with an integrated double bed, a modular kitchen, and transforming rear seats. The conversion is presented as a modern alternative in a segment long dominated by a single reference model.

Volkswagen has updated the California camper van with a new plug-in hybrid all-wheel-drive system. Based on the Multivan, the model features an electric motor with a range of up to 95 km and a 1.5 TSI petrol engine. The platform change and a narrower body have impacted the vehicle's interior living space.

Mercedes-Benz has introduced the Marco Polo Horizon camper van as a direct competitor to the Volkswagen California. Key upgrades include a lighter, better-insulated pop-up roof with extra headroom, a redesigned LED lighting system, and magnetic window blinds. The vehicle is fully produced within the Mercedes ecosystem, with final conversion taking place in Germany.

Readers of Promobil magazine have selected the Volkswagen California as the best camper van of 2026 in the compact van category. The model secured 25.1% of the votes, while the Grand California came second in the camper vans with bathroom category. The awards were presented at the CMT trade fair in Stuttgart, where the full range is on display.

The Volkswagen California and Grand California models won awards in the German 'Camper of the Year 2026' competition. The California placed first in the compact camper van category with 25.1% of the vote, while the Grand California came second in the camper van with bathroom category, securing 12.7%. The awards were presented at the CMT exhibition in Stuttgart from January 17 to 25.

The new VW California camper van is built on the Multivan platform. It offers more space and modern technology while retaining iconic design features like the pop-up roof.

Volkswagen is preparing an updated version of the California camper van. The prototype, spotted during winter testing in Europe, will feature revised lighting, a new MIB4 infotainment system with ChatGPT, and will comply with Euro 7 standards from November 2026. Powertrains, including a 1.5-liter hybrid with 241 hp, will carry over.

German publication Promobil has released results of its annual reader survey on favorite recreational vehicles. The Volkswagen California Ocean leads among compact camper vans, while the Niesmann+Bischoff Flair wins the luxury liner category for the eleventh consecutive year. The survey covered 11 categories including motorhomes, caravans, and camper vans across different price segments.

Volkswagen is preparing an updated California camper van for the 2027 model year. Key changes include an increased electric range of up to 100 km for the hybrid version, a new MIB4 infotainment system with ChatGPT integration, and a redesigned front end to meet Euro 7 emissions standards. Sales are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026.

Readers of the German magazine Promobil have selected the best motorhomes of the year. The Volkswagen California won first place in the 'Compact Camper' category with 25.1% of the vote, while the Grand California came second in the 'Camper with Bathroom' category. Over 14,000 readers participated in the poll.

Ford unveiled a special edition of the Nugget camper van at the CMT travel show in Germany. Based on the Ford Transit, it features a 2.0-liter diesel engine with 170 hp and starts at €89,646. In 2025, over 2,000 units were sold in Germany, giving Ford a 16% market share in factory-built camper vans.

The German company Pössl has introduced the compact camper van Vanster, based on the Citroën SpaceTourer. The vehicle, which is less than 5 meters long, features a pop-up roof and a modular CampBox system that converts the interior into a double bed and kitchen. The model's base price in 2026 is €44,990, approximately half the cost of a Volkswagen California.

Bilstein has introduced new B6 Camper and B6 Camper Advanced shock absorbers for Volkswagen California and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans. The models are designed for California T6 and T6.1 vans produced from 2015 and 2019 respectively, as well as for the Mercedes Sprinter B910 from 2021. The company states the new components improve handling, reduce wind-induced sway, and offer extended service life under full load. The Advanced version features a fully mechanical automatic damping adjustment system called DampMatic.

Dutch road tax rules for campers are changing, with the quarter-rate becoming a half-rate in 2026, but not all vehicles qualify. The new Volkswagen California, based on the Multivan, is not considered a camper by the tax authority due to failing a specific spatial requirement, making it ineligible for the reduced rate. Consequently, it is sold in the Netherlands only as a plug-in hybrid, which currently has a tax discount, though this benefit is also set to expire.

Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) campers offer a compromise for sustainable travel, allowing electric-only driving on campsites and partial trips without constant charging. Key models include the Volkswagen California with up to 95 km electric range, the Ford Transit Custom Nugget with around 45-50 km, and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which can be converted and offers about 85 km of electric range. These vehicles combine internal combustion engines with electric motors, providing a total driving range between approximately 647 km and 844 km according to WLTP standards.

After 20 years, the iconic German camper van VW California has undergone its most radical update. The model has moved to the MQB platform, received new engines with up to 241 hp (hybrid), and a second sliding door as standard. The base price starts at 62,689 euros.

A Spanish company has launched the Panama P10H camper van based on the Ford Tourneo Custom 2025. The vehicle features a plug-in hybrid powertrain with 232 hp, a pop-up roof with a double bed, and standard equipment including a kitchen and an outdoor shower. Its starting price is 69,900 euros, undercutting the rival VW California eHybrid.

Renault has unveiled an updated version of its compact camper van, the Trafic Escapade, at the Van Life Expo in Bordeaux. The model, originally introduced in 2017, features a modular layout with seven seats, two sleeping berths, and a compact kitchen unit with a gas hob and a 5-litre water tank. While Renault positions it as a competitor to the Volkswagen California and Mercedes Marco Polo, its compliance with Dutch tax regulations for camper vans is reportedly uncertain.

The article presents an overview of the small camper segment for 2026, highlighting their growing popularity due to lower costs and urban practicality compared to larger models. It lists key models including the Volkswagen California (5.17m long, with 4MOTION option), Mercedes Marco Polo, Ford Transit Custom Nugget (with 170 HP diesel engine), and Volkswagen Caddy California (available with a camper package for ~€4,800). These vehicles, typically around five meters in length, are noted for their dual usability as daily drivers and weekend travel accommodations.