Westfalia
A new Ford Transit high-top camper debuts
Now on Ford Transit
IT’S perhaps no surprise to see Ford-based campers from Westfalia as it manufactures the Nugget as an OEM vehicle for Ford itself. Then, last season, it announced that its French factory would begin building the new Kelsey poptop camper, based on the long-wheelbase Transit Custom. With a similar layout to Westfalia’s VW T6.1-based Kepler One and Mercedes Vito-based Jules Verne, the Kelsey has a kitchen along the offside, twin sliding doors and a rear shower/ toilet area.
Meanwhile, the Jules Verne is now only available in rear-wheel drive form, the front-wheel drive option being dropped this year. It still comes with a choice of Elegance or Avantgarde exterior design
and a new feature is the Thermotronic dual-zone air-conditioning with digital display.
FORD AS WELL AS FIAT
Completely new for 2022, though, is the Meridian Limited, based on the ‘full-sized’ Ford Transit. This 6m camper comes with the 185PS engine and automatic gearbox as standard, as well as a multimedia system with sat-nav, 16in alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, various assistance systems and a towbar. It also benefits from the latest hot water heating system powered by diesel, an LED ambient light system, awning and a winterisation pack. The layout features a 1.54m-wide transverse rear bed, central kitchen and washroom and front lounge – a
typical continental campervan layout but one that’s rarely seen in a Ford.
There’s a new model in the company’s premium Columbus range, based on the latest Fiat Ducato, too. The new 600 E features lengthways rear single beds but in a 6m model, rather than the more usual 6.36m van.
The Columbus 600 E comes as a First Edition model with the 160bhp 2.2-litre engine and automatic gearbox. It also receives an enhanced spec, including a 100W solar panel, leather seats, heated cab seats, outdoor shower, 16in alloys, 10in multimedia screen with sat-nav, reversing camera, LED headlights and hot water heating with underfloor heating. There’s a new kitchen for this model, too.