The Caravanning Salon is an event that has become a permanent part of the Poznań Motor Show program. This year, we could find campers, trailers and accessories in three halls. It was also possible to notice a greater interest of customers in specific models of tourist vehicles than in previous years. You can see that more and more Poles are serious about buying a motorhome or caravan.
The theme of the 2018 Motor Show was "Automotive of Tomorrow" - there were a lot of hybrids and electric cars in the car halls. Electric vehicles could also be found in the section dedicated to motorcycles and scooters. We haven't dealt with electric vehicles at the Caravanning Show yet, but that doesn't mean that there were no surprises.
Although the list of exhibitors largely coincided with the list of companies present at the fair a year ago, and some stands were located in the same places, and sometimes arranged in a very similar way, it is worth noting a clear difference. 2017 was a record year for the presentation of very expensive and luxurious motorhomes. The exhibitors wanted to attract attention with the most amazing, but also very difficult to access, vehicles.
2018 was different - there were more camper vans and motorhomes a bit smaller and a bit cheaper. So it was perhaps less spectacular, but with a focus on customer needs. While a year ago it was about a show of possibilities ("because nobody will buy anyway"), now exhibitors, seeing a real chance for sale, proposed models that were more affordable and available for purchase with attractive financing (leasing, credit) .
Yachts and integrals
At the CarGO stand, this time not only motorhomes, but also the Jeanneau Merry Fischer yacht (price: PLN 319,000) attracted attention. From the deck of the yacht, we could admire the extensive stand full of Pilote and Bavaria motorhomes. After descending to the ground, there were, among others, waiting for us. Pilote P746 C (PLN 314,000) with a length of 7.45 m, with a shower and a bathroom separated by a door both from the side of the large bedroom and from the side of the living room with a folding bed.
The Bavaria T716 P model had a very interesting layout, with a spacious bathroom next to the bed (PLN 311.5 thousand). There were also a few cheaper models used in 2017, and the most expensive one on the stand was the exclusive Le Voyageur 8.5 CL at the bargain price of PLN 749,900.
At the S-Camp stand, attention was drawn to, among others Integrated motorhome Carthago Chic C-Line 5.0 in the version for 2018 - with rich equipment and a structure devoid of wooden elements. You can't see it from the outside, but the vehicle is based on a Fiat Ducato with a 150 HP engine with a capacity of 2.3 l. Although it measures 745 cm, its permissible total weight is 3.5 tons.
Anyway, this is a rule - the vast majority of motorhomes presented in Poznań (even the largest ones) can be driven with a category B driving license.
Tents and pickups
Interesting roof tents were presented under the iKamper banner. When folded, the tent looks similar to a roof rack, but in just a minute it can be turned into a spacious sleeping place, which can accommodate up to 4 people. The tent can be integrated with the vestibule located on the side of the vehicle, which will further enlarge the available space.
One of the highlights of this year's fair was the Azar4 pickup truck, inside it was finished with high-gloss wood. This type of motorhome can accommodate 4 people, and the development has equipment typical for a motorhome and Webasto heating.
The Polish producer EbaCamp showed the camping body of a pickup truck ( Oceanic container) on the example of the Volkswagen Amarok. Inside, the white and brown furniture fronts blend in nicely with the beige, quilted headboard of the bed. There were also camping Volkswagen Crafters available at the stand, including: for 235 thousand. zloty.
Campers and trailers
At the Wadowscy stand, our attention was drawn to the Weinsberg Carabus 601 MQH with a folding, but unusual bed, consisting of two parts. It is clearly visible in the photo:
The market price of this model was less than PLN 216 thousand. zloty. More, because over 300 thousand. PLN was the cost of Laika Ecovip 712 , but importantly, it is a fully integrated model with a winter package.
Another "integrated" made an impression - the Dethfless Advantage I7051 EB model, available at the stand of the Kutno Camping Center , for approx. PLN 335 thousand. zloty.
But even large motorhomes cannot compete with caravans in terms of space, such as the nearly 9.5-meter long (without 805 cm drawbar) Dethleffs Nomad 730 FKR model (with a bunk bed) or Dethleffs Exclusiv 760 DR . In such a caravan, we can feel like in a luxurious two-room apartment (pictured below). The impression of uniqueness is strengthened by a subtle LED backlight. Prices are high 130-150 thousand. PLN, but still much lower than in the case of a motorhome. You can buy the C'Joy 390 QSH trailer cheaper - small, but available for 58 thousand. zloty.
Lovers of caravans could also choose from at the stand of the Smolicz Camping Center , where you could see, for example, a Hobby 650 UMFe caravan with two double beds and one single bed. This caravan, with a total length of 832 cm, can accommodate up to 5 people. Price - approx. 106 thousand. zloty.
Adria's offensive
Our attention was also drawn to the stand of the Adria brand distributor, Camp & Traile . We have the impression that the quality of finish of this brand's vehicles is improving year by year, reaching the level previously reserved for much more expensive brands. Of course, a sign of luxury could not be missing from the "integrated" called Sonic Supreme 710 SL .
This 752 cm long camping "bus" (one of the visitors) delights with its fresh design both inside and outside (see the photo of the kitchen worktop above). 5 beds, a 167-liter fridge, a 140-liter water tank, an 85-liter waste water tank and a 150 HP engine - such a set was available for approx. zloty. The list of equipment includes, among others oven with grill, underfloor heating, heated luggage box, digital control panel, and strictly structural elements - Goldschmitt front suspension and ALC Al-Ko level controller on the rear axle.
But the interest was aroused not only by the most expensive of the presented Adria. We also like the small Adria Active camper van based on Renault Traffica with a 1.6 engine with 120 HP. Thanks to the lifting roof, up to 4 people can sleep in the car, and on a daily basis, the car can be used as an ordinary van. It will be useful both for holidays, for a weekend getaway outside the city, and for everyday shopping. And the price is "only" 189 thousand. zloty.
Wanted medium kids
The Pro Camp stand was very popular - mainly due to the semi-integrated Knaus motorhomes. Sometimes you had to queue to get on board the Live Wave 650 MG model available at a price of nearly 277 thousand. zloty. The motorhome aroused trust with solid, good-quality interior design. However, for 149 thousand. PLN, it was possible to purchase an extremely spacious trailer Tabbert Da Vinci 700 KD with a length of 947 cm (without the drawbar 746 cm).
You could get big discounts at the CamelCamp stand. For example, the integrated Rapido 866 F cost 332 thousand. PLN instead of 379 thousand. PLN, so the reduction was as much as 47 thousand. zloty! For 253 thousand. PLN (with a discount of PLN 5,000), you could buy a semi-integrated RT AutoRoller 284 TL based on the Ford Transit.
At the Elcamp stand, we could see the latest versions of Polish Globe-Traveler motorhomes, such as the "bicycle" version of the Pathfinder Z model (for PLN 255 thousand) and the Rookie model based on Fiat Talento. As expected, the Westfalia Amundsen off-road camper van also aroused interest.
Another Polish manufacturer of motorhomes - Balcamp - has traditionally presented vehicles based on a Mercedes chassis, although it also produces bodies on the Fiat Ducato platform. The vehicles of this brand are distinguished by a large number of quilted accessories (even internal walls can be quilted) and colorful LED backlights.
Benimar presented mainly motorhomes based on the Ford Transit . Our attention was drawn to the Tessoro 467 model, 743 cm long, thanks to the interestingly divided space. The bathroom has a separate changing area and a separate shower cubicle. The price is about 60 thousand. euro.
We end our tour of the Caravanning Salon at the WaveCamper (EasyCamper) stand. We could see there the construction with rails already announced in our pages (photo above), thanks to which it is possible to move the seats freely, even to remove them completely. One car can function as a van, camper or delivery vehicle, depending on the needs.
The cars shown were also equipped with a lifting roof and tourist equipment (including cabinets, gas cooker, fridge). Interestingly, not only new cars can be built in this way. At the stand there was a several-year-old Renault Trafic with a camping body, available for 125 thousand. zloty.
Motorhomes among cars
But tourist cars could be found not only in the typical caravanning part, but also in the car part. Although this year we could see both the Mercedes Marco Polo and Volkswagen California , the attention of the public focused primarily on the California XXL model. This motorhome was built on the basis of the Volkswagen Crafter.
The model shown is equipped with a 177 HP 2.0 TDI engine and a 4Motion drive. Its equipment includes, among others panoramic, lifted hard roof , heated floor and - attention - retractable and retractable bathroom . By pulling the door, the bathroom unfolds like moving parts in cardboard books for children. The foldable washbasin and the toilet do not take up space when it is not needed - then it simply hugs the wall. The motorhome also has a cooled or heated sleeping area, two refrigerators, retractable gas burners, and many functions can be controlled using a tablet.
Touristic Motor Show Awards
The Motor Show Awards are also an important element of the Motor Show every year. This year we were particularly satisfied because as many as 3 awards were given to caravanning companies.
Piotr Kozłowski (CampRest.com) awarded his award to Andrzej Zawiliński , president of Globe-Traveler. The award from Kuba Bielak went to CarGO , while Sebastian Klauz honored the company Benimar Polska .
This year, the jurors also awarded an award in a new category - Automotive of Tomorrow . The award was held by Volkswagen ID Buzz , the successor of the legendary Bullik, presented for the first time in Poland during the Poznań Motor Show.
Who knows, maybe it will also become the base for motorhomes of the future. After all, its ancestor is still widely regarded as the most iconic touring car of all time.
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Sometimes it is better to get lost than to ask for directions too much. Aldous Huxley
