If you like to spend your time actively, you could find a lot of automotive inspiration during the Motor Show 2014. Campers and caravans are just a part of the offer for those for whom long trips are the meaning of life or its very important element. Not only the Caravanning Salon was full of attractions. We also visited other stands available as part of the Motor Show 2014 to find vehicles that can be useful during active recreation. Volkswagen unveiled the T5 California Beach model once again. Probably because this car always arouses great interest of visitors. The model shown this year not only had a fold-up fabric roof under which you can arrange an overnight stay, but also a four-bike carrier mounted on the tailgate. The model on display is equipped with a 2.0-liter BiTDI engine producing 180 hp, mated to a 7-speed gearbox.

Motor Show 2014 for active people

Shqiptar is a vehicle with unique off-road properties that ordinary campers, caravans or tent trailers do not have. It was created on the basis of the expedition and tourist experience of its builder. The mini camper trailer is distinguished by a unique combination of functional features, efficiency in moving off the asphalt and design. The most comfortable way, especially in difficult terrain, is to travel without unnecessary ballast. However, when we stay away from civilization, it is convenient to have at hand everything that is responsible for our well-being. When you wake up in the morning in the Fagaras Mountains, do you dream of coffee from an espresso machine served with milk foam in a ceramic mug? Or maybe in the evening, in the setting Provençal sun, we will feel like drinking pink wine in a glass? Why not? In the past, during an expedition, each long stop was preceded by emptying the contents of the trunk, pitching the tent, cooking on the grass and then sitting cross-legged around with metal cups in hands. The table and chairs usually did not fit and we had to forget about many everyday items. Minimalism works well for three-day escapades, but packing equipment into the trunk of an off-road vehicle for longer trips with the family is a difficult task. The DaOrffo expedition trailer became our companion in these near and far adventures.

DaOrffo Shqiptar - how to build an expedition caravan in Poland?

In the international Red Dot competition, promoting good design in applied art, the Arto motorhome by Niesmann + Bischoff was awarded. It is all the more significant as motorhomes are rarely appreciated in this type of competition. A large, panoramic window at the front, a slightly pugnacious grill, exposed to the front, with which the headlights blend in perfectly, as if slightly hovering at the corners of the front wall and side walls - the front of the Arto motorhome could in particular attract the attention of the Red Dot Award jurors, who had quite a task.

ARTO - the world&#39;s best looking motorhome

Increasingly, when we want to buy a motorhome, we do not have to decide to buy a vehicle imported from abroad. Elcamp offers campers Neo Traveler, the company Doch - Novano, Romer Niewiadów also has its own motorhome. Romer advertises its motorhome as "world quality at a reasonable price". Reasonable prices start in this case from 210 thousand. PLN , as well as with the other mentioned producers. So what distinguishes a motorhome prepared by a young company from Niewiadów, founded by former employees of the oldest Polish caravan factory? In the case of Romer, we are not dealing with a van that has been adapted to the residential function. We are talking about a semi-integrated vehicle, which means that where the driver's cabin ends, a completely separate body begins. And this is where we come to world quality.

Polish Romer - quality at a fair price

Can a large van, resembling a delivery truck, cause a sensation? It turns out that it is. On condition, however, that it will be equipped as a high-class passenger car and packed with electronics. This is exactly the case with the new Mercedes V-Class. In Poland, Mercedes V was presented for the first time in Poznań during the Motor Show and it was the hottest premiere at the brand's stand with a star in the logo. Although the shape of the car is quite common, you may like the details, such as modern-looking, diagonal headlights with the now "obligatory" LEDs. Body contours give the impression of slenderness and give the illusion that the car is in motion all the time. If, however, the exterior was to be the greatest asset of this vehicle, we would have to write about the defeat. The V-Class is certainly not the most beautiful or the most stylistically designer car among the vehicles produced today.

Mercedes V-class - almost a motorhome

A 5.30 meter long camper with full equipment? Wingamm Micros is just such a vehicle - small, well-equipped, and based on the Volkswagen T5. Volkswagen T5 is rarely used as a base for camping cars. It may be even more surprising that while most European companies choose Fiat Ducato, a company from Italy chose Volkswagen!. And Italians are, you know, aesthetes. Therefore, before we start assessing the functionality of the Micros, we must admit that the car looks quite attractive. The GFRP body was neatly matched to the rest of the vehicle.

Wingamm Micros motorhome - Volkswagen in Italian

Swift is the UK's largest and one of the world's largest manufacturers of caravans, motorhomes, and recently also recreational cottages. Although the history of the brand began 50 years ago, the son of the founder remains the president of the company to this day. The company's history began in 1964 in the city of Hull in the eastern part of Great Britain, on the banks of the Humber River. It was there that Ken Smith and Ken Day jointly built a caravan, which became the nucleus of the company. They named the trailer The Ten - ten. They managed to sell it for £ 289.

Swift - for 50 years consistently ahead

Caravanning in Poland is growing in strength. The best proof is this year's Caravanning Salon in Poznań. Below, we present only a few selected brands - those that interested us the most and surprised us most pleasantly. Campers, caravans, caravanning equipment, and even toys (e.g. models of motorhomes and caravans) - all this can be seen in Poznań on 27-30 March. Most of the stands were attended by Camprest.com representatives who talked with the owners and representatives of companies about their offer this year, experiences and plans for the future.

Campers and trailers at the Motor Show 2014 in Poznań

On the one hand, this year's Caravanning Salon in Poznań is a success - a large number of exhibitors, a large number of vehicles on display, many new companies (not only at the fair, but also on the Polish market). At the same time, it's hard to resist the impression that this event needs a newer, fresher formula. Let's start with the pluses, because there are many of them. When visiting the exhibitors' stands, talking to owners and employees of companies related to caravanning, it was hard for me to resist the impression that a lot has changed for the better during the year. Some still complain that the market in Poland is difficult, that the sale of new motorhomes and caravans is weak, that it is only a bit better in renting camping vehicles and selling used vehicles. From the same conversations, however, there is a hope that I did not sense during the talks a year ago. And it's not just about words, but facts.

A living room full of swallows

Among the 13 variants of the Hobby De Luxe caravan, probably everyone would be able to find something for themselves. Especially the longest version, measuring almost 8.5 meters, may be appealing. A large amount of space combined with well-thought-out equipment makes it easy to feel at home in this caravan. For the 2014 season, the German manufacturer decided to optimize the weight of its trailers. The new De Luxe caravans are narrower and lighter , which, however, did not affect the feeling of spaciousness in the interior.

Hobby De Luxe - space under control

Autocruise is one of the many brands belonging to the British Swift group. Autocruise is responsible within the concern only for the adaptation of camping vans to the needs. A new feature is a new equipment variant - Carrera 4. Autocruise motorhomes are based on the Peugeot Boxer or - optionally - on the Fiat Ducato. Basic versions cost in Great Britain from less than 41 thousand. pounds to over 51 thousand. pounds. There are 7 Autocruise models available. There are varieties with sleeping places for two, three and four people. Two shorter models - Rhythm Compact and Jazz - measure 5.41 meters each. Rytm, Accent and Alto measure 6 meters. The permissible total weight of the shorter versions is 3,300 kg, and the longer versions are 3,500 kg.

Autocruise and its Carrera

On the Lance brand website, I go to the "Campers" tab. However, I don't see pictures of motorhomes there. Instead, photographs of the superstructures with a characteristic, long "beak" are presented. Americans have a completely different approach to caravanning than Europeans. In Europe, either caravans or small vans with camping bodies are eagerly bought. The United States, on the other hand, is famous for its powerful camping buses and less demanding in terms of budget, built-up pickups. Such buildings are sold under the Lance brand. The company does not sell complete cars, only a living area that needs to be attached to your pickup truck. The "bow" mentioned at the beginning is an alcove placed above the roof of the driver's cabin - it is able to accommodate a large double bed. Currently, the offer includes 11 versions of the body , and the differences between the individual models are significant.

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Motor Show 2014 for active people