Monastery in Ettal plans new campsite for motorhomes and caravans

The Sole motorhome site in Bad Salzungen, Germany, experienced a drop in guests last year after a recovery in 2024. The site offers 80 pitches and is now promoting its proximity to a pneumo spa as a new offering to attract visitors.

German RV brand Rhön Camp has presented the first Volkswagen camper van featuring a Freescape inflatable roof. The design provides permanent standing height inside while keeping a 140 x 200-cm bed accessible. The base model, built on a 109-hp Transporter, starts at €74,990.

Mercedes-Benz has introduced a facelifted version of the Marco Polo camper van based on the V-Class. Key updates include a 10 cm higher pop-up roof, a new ambient lighting system, and a more efficient refrigerator. Production has been fully moved to Mercedes' Ludwigsfelde plant following the end of the partnership with Westfalia.

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.

A comparison of motorhome and camper van prices between 2016 and 2026 reveals significant inflation. For instance, the Hymer Grand Canyon S model was priced at 55,490 euros in 2016, while its special edition in 2026 costs 148,900 euros. Even entry-level camper vans now approach 60,000 euros, compared to a starting price of 40,990 euros a decade ago.

Hyundai presented the STARIA Camper Concept at the CMT 2026 trade fair in Stuttgart. The prototype features a pop-up roof with a 520W solar panel and electronically adjustable smart glass. The manufacturer is gauging public interest for a potential series production model for the European market.