New models for 2022
Continuing our round-up of the fantastic new-model launches for the coming season
Auto-Sleepers
After a clutch of new models launched at the start of this year, Auto-Sleepers is not launching any all-new models for the 2022 season.
Instead, it has concentrated on upgrading the cab in the Peugeot Boxer-based models it produces.
For 2022 the cabs now come with twin armrests on captain’s seats, as well as a nine-inch touchscreen for the sat-nav and media controls. This can also be controlled from the steering wheel.
There is also a new upholstery colour scheme for vehicles based on a Peugeot Boxer – slate for van conversions and pebble for coachbuilts.
Carado
Carado has redesigned the front profile and cab and raised the height of its A-class models, and is making a raising roof an option on all of its specialedition van conversions.
The new facade on the Erwin Hymer Group subsidiary’s A-classes now includes a chrome grille with the Carado logo in the centre, and LED headlights with their own signature.
Inside, the dashboard in the cab now includes more storage spaces, and you get a new storage cupboard between the passenger seat and the window. The dashboard has also been redesigned to remove any visible screw points, and so give off a more streamlined appearance. Overall height on the A-classes has been increased to 2.9m.
The raising roof will be an option on all Edition 15 van conversions, brought out to celebrate the company’s 15th birthday.
Accessed via a telescopic ladder, the black roof’s interior includes a mattress on slats and a goose-neck light complete with integrated USB ports. The tent fabric can be completely opened at the front while the roof itself includes a rooflight.
Edition 15 special editions are also being brought out for all of Carado’s A-classes, van conversions and low profiles, including its slimline van range. This effectively gets you a Basic Pack and Style Pack, a more powerful 140bhp engine, alloy wheels, an awning, an extra external access locker, and other extras including the possibility of converting the rear two
(1),
single beds into a double, all for a set price of either £3280 on lowprofiles or £2410 on van conversions.
Fleurette
French manufacturer Fleurette is adding a new island bed layout to the Migrateur low-profile range in Fleurette itself, and to the Baxter range in the more export-oriented Florium brand.
The 68LMC layout comes in at less than 7m long, at 6.85m, but still manages to include a washroom spread across the centre of the van, with a shower on one side and a toilet and folding basin on the other. It also includes a 150-litre fridge
Other improvements across all models include a new hob cover, new locks on overhead locker doors to keep them open, and attractive new curtains and decorative cushions for Florium models.
The company is continuing with its Cristal special editions, which feature exclusive upholstery, black alloy wheels and a more powerful Truma heater, among other things. For 2022 Cristal special editions will be available on the French bed 64LDF model in Migrateur/Baxter, the island bed models 70LMF and 74LMF in the longer Mayflower/Magister low-profiles, and in the 71LMH and 75LMF models in the Discover/Wincester A-class range.
(2). Hymer
Hymer is introducing a new 7.09m-long model to its Mercedesbased T Class S range for the 2022 season, as well as expanding its remote control Hymer Connect app system, and introducing an innovative bike rack to its range of official accessories.
The T-Class S 585 features fixed single beds at the rear, a floor to ceiling wardrobe and a Vario washroom with a swivelling partition. Up front you get parallel facing settees as standard, but with an L-shaped dinette seat with travel seats as a cost option (3).
The low chassis means you get a flat floor throughout and 2.04m of
‘For 2022, British brand Auto-Sleepers has concentrated on upgrading the cab in the Peugeot Boxer-based models it produces’
headroom, although this reduces to 1.88m under the optional drop-down bed if you go for it. Diesel heating and a 152-litre compressor fridge come as standard, although you can opt for gas-powered blown-air heating with an absorption fridge.
For the first time, Hymer is also offering to replace the steel double leaf spring on the rear axle with a
GRP spring as an option. This saves
16kg in weight. As an option you can also have sporty Tenorite graphics on the outside.
From this season the Hymer Connect platform, which allows you to control vehicle components and monitor information on one app, will come as standard on all B-MC models. It is already a feature in the B-ML range.
The company has also launched the Backrack+, a rack that can be fitted and retrofitted to all its Fiat-based van conversions. A range of modular units can be fitted to this including two different bike racks, both of which leave one door free to access when the bikes are in position.
Laika
As well as launching two new
Ecovip campervans, as detailed in our September issue (#249), Laika has completely revamped its upmarket low-profile Kreos range (4), with the first new model being the Kreos L 5009, featuring fixed single beds over a garage in the back.
The new Kreos rests on a Fiat/
Al-Ko heavy chassis, with thicker 40mm side walls made of XPS with an inner and outer shell of aluminium. There is also a 25cm double floor that conceals much of the wiring, as well as the space for a battery box; a 210-litre fresh water tank; and, if you don’t opt for the extra drop-down bed at the front, you can have an electrically opening sunroof. The central washroom can also be completely sealed off.
Options include a wine rack in the garage, which has two doors both 120cm tall, and a payload of 250kg. There is even an optional dishwasher.
McLouis Fusion
As with its Trigano stablemate Auto-Sleepers, the McLouis Fusion range is not expanding with any new models this season.
Instead, the range – which was especially developed for the UK market by McLouis and Auto-Sleepers – gets an enhanced cab, with a new seveninch UConnect radio touchscreen system with DAB radio, a leather steering wheel and a leather gear stick.
Westfalia
Westfalia has launched two specialedition models for the 2022 season.
The Meridian Limited, Westfalia’s first self-distributed vehicle based on the Ford Transit, and the Fiat-based Columbus 600E are both preview special editions of standard models that will go into production later.
But for the moment they will only be available in very limited numbers as right-hand-drive models, as the factory is currently running at full capacity.
The Meridian Limited comes in at 5.99m but includes a 1.54m-wide transverse bed at the rear, and has four travel seats. It also runs on
Ford’s 185bhp engine with automatic transmission. Other attractive extras include alloy wheels, diesel heating, and an awning.
The Columbus 600E is a similar length to the Meridian Limited, but features a new layout for the Columbus range consisting of two single beds at the back and a newly designed central kitchen. It also has diesel heating and underfloor heating, a 100W solar panel, an outside shower, alloy wheels and an awning.
With leather seats – which in the cab are heated – it has Fiat’s 2.2-litre, 160bhp engine, and comes with nine-speed automatic transmission.
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