Automotive

Hymer's unworldly camper van lunges into van life future

Hymer's unworldly camper van lunges into van life future
Hymer VisionVenture at the 2019 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon
Hymer VisionVenture at the 2019 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon
View 23 Images
A cutting edge camper van concept, the Hymer VisionVenture is loaded with desirable features, including a rear deck
1/23
A cutting edge camper van concept, the Hymer VisionVenture is loaded with desirable features, including a rear deck
The light in the Hymer VisionVenture's pop-up roof teams with the white inflatable sides to create a soft, ambient glow
2/23
The light in the Hymer VisionVenture's pop-up roof teams with the white inflatable sides to create a soft, ambient glow
Hymer loads the roof up with solar panels, creating an off-grid-ready adventure van
3/23
Hymer loads the roof up with solar panels, creating an off-grid-ready adventure van
Hymer developed the VisionVenture in cooperation with BASF, whose materials feature prominently inside and out
4/23
Hymer developed the VisionVenture in cooperation with BASF, whose materials feature prominently inside and out
Campers can enjoy views out the large pop-top door and even scoot out onto the back of the roof, which serves as a small upper deck
5/23
Campers can enjoy views out the large pop-top door and even scoot out onto the back of the roof, which serves as a small upper deck
The flared fenders and other select body components are 3D printed
6/23
The flared fenders and other select body components are 3D printed
The slide-out grill hides behind the taillights
7/23
The slide-out grill hides behind the taillights
A very different style of van life adventure machine the 2019 Hymer Vision Venture
8/23
A very different style of van life adventure machine the 2019 Hymer Vision Venture
The stairs are one of our favorite features, replacing the ladder with something that feels much more like a home
9/23
The stairs are one of our favorite features, replacing the ladder with something that feels much more like a home
The VisionVenture looks comfortable enough to spend days at a time in, but the rear lounge ensures occupants don't lose their connection with the outdoors
10/23
The VisionVenture looks comfortable enough to spend days at a time in, but the rear lounge ensures occupants don't lose their connection with the outdoors
Home-like materials, adjustable lighting and picture-friendly walls add to the VisionVenture's appeal
11/23
Home-like materials, adjustable lighting and picture-friendly walls add to the VisionVenture's appeal
Hymer VisionVenture kitchen
12/23
Hymer VisionVenture kitchen
The bathroom transforms from a slim toilet room ...
13/23
The bathroom transforms from a slim toilet room ...
...to a closed-off rain shower
14/23
...to a closed-off rain shower
Overhead of the VisionVenture's pop-up roof bed
15/23
Overhead of the VisionVenture's pop-up roof bed
VisionVenture lower level floor plan
16/23
VisionVenture lower level floor plan
Workstation
17/23
Workstation
The rear deck is almost like a drop-down swimming platform on a boat
18/23
The rear deck is almost like a drop-down swimming platform on a boat
Fading sunlight, rippling water and soft ambient lighting make for a relaxing evening
19/23
Fading sunlight, rippling water and soft ambient lighting make for a relaxing evening
The Hymer Vision Venture makes its world premiere at the 2019 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon
20/23
The Hymer Vision Venture makes its world premiere at the 2019 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon
An electric grill slides out the back for outdoor cooking, a feature every camper van could use
21/23
An electric grill slides out the back for outdoor cooking, a feature every camper van could use
A look inside the back of the VisionVenture
22/23
A look inside the back of the VisionVenture
Hymer VisionVenture at the 2019 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon
23/23
Hymer VisionVenture at the 2019 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon
View gallery - 23 images

Keeping the van life craze moving forward, Hymer explores the future with the all-new VisionVenture concept, a Mercedes camper van that looks like a live-in lunar rover but aspires to live like a town home. Borrowing from the worlds of yachts, tiny homes and custom camper conversions, Hymer equips the plus-sized camper van with boundary-pushing features like a transforming wet/dry bathroom, rear tailgate deck and inflatable pop-top. It hopes to entice the next generation of off-grid explorers, always-connected digital nomads and gap year destination-hoppers.

Hymer recently introduced the DuoCar S as something of the perfect Sprinter camper for van life couples, and the VisionVenture moves that conversation forward. The oversized camper van could very easily be a family motorhome, but Hymer instead spreads things out to create a luxurious two-sleeper. Rather than housing an extra double bed, the van's pop-up roof houses the only bed, topping a two-story roaming apartment layout optimized for cozy couples. The upstairs (literally ... this van has actual stairs) is protected by inflatable baffles for added R-value and opens up to a flat section of van roof that serves as a small balcony. Relieved of any sleeping duties, the main level downstairs is left to serve as a spacious, thoughtfully arranged living area.

Campers can enjoy views out the large pop-top door and even scoot out onto the back of the roof, which serves as a small upper deck
Campers can enjoy views out the large pop-top door and even scoot out onto the back of the roof, which serves as a small upper deck

Hymer keeps it extra spacious by avoiding the temptation to throw a prototype conversion kit into a factory Sprinter and instead building a larger cabin that maintains the general look and feel of a van, but with more size and space. Hymer even reworks the Sprinter cab, adjusting the A pillars, shortening the hood and pushing the windshield forward to better create a more seamless, contoured design from bumper to bumper.

Hymer fancies its Vision a new class of motorhome, and while others like Wingamm and Mauer have done similar aftermarket-bodied camper van work, we agree such vehicles are not quite camper vans (Class B) and not quite Class B+ motorhomes (e.g. Hymer's own Van S). Hymer finishes the custom exterior with a thorough dousing of BASF's award-winning Climacool automotive paint, claimed to lower exterior surface temperature by up to 20 degrees and interior temperatures by up to 4 degrees.

...to a closed-off rain shower
...to a closed-off rain shower

Hymer capitalizes on its upsized cabin to create a spacious, livable and homey interior. It puts an emphasis on space-optimizing, multifunctional equipment that never feels cold or utilitarian, warmed by materials like felt, wood, bamboo and leather. The bathroom, for instance, is a narrow wet cell behind the entry door, a typical camper van bathroom. But with the push of the roller wall and pull of the rotating vanity sink, it becomes a relaxing rain shower separated completely from the sink and toilet. BASF Veneo Slate, a pliable surfacing material with razor-thin natural-stone facing, enhances the look and feel of the space.

Behind the upholstered outer wall of the bathroom cell, the rear lounge houses vis-a-vis sofas flanking a folding dining table that drops down and retracts away below the passenger-side bench. This seating group takes in views through the large panoramic rear window and wraparound side windows. Campers can open the rear window upward for al fresco-style dining and drop the lower gate to step out onto a rear sun terrace, where they'll also find a slide-out electric grill with food prep station. Hymer isn't the first to drop a yacht-like deck on the back of a concept camping vehicle, and we really hope that vision works its way into the average production camper.

The VisionVenture looks comfortable enough to spend days at a time in, but the rear lounge ensures occupants don't lose their connection with the outdoors
The VisionVenture looks comfortable enough to spend days at a time in, but the rear lounge ensures occupants don't lose their connection with the outdoors

The rear walls are covered in deck-matched paneling that not only lends to the warm, modern styling but also secures equipment and ornamentation via grooves running its length. Campers can quickly reposition camping tools, cooking utensils, lights, planter boxes, pictures and more.

The driver-side kitchen block includes a flush cooktop, sink basin below a faucet emerging from wall tile, and yacht-style refrigerator drawer mixed in with ample under-counter storage. The kitchen combines seamlessly with the sidewall-hugging staircase that's plucked right out of tiny home design. The stairs include motion-activated lighting, non-slip trim, and under-tread storage.

The stairs are one of our favorite features, replacing the ladder with something that feels much more like a home
The stairs are one of our favorite features, replacing the ladder with something that feels much more like a home

To better serve the work-from-anywhere segment, the VisionVenture includes a dedicated workstation. A laptop desk folds down in front of the swiveled passenger seat, bringing along a pin board, LED lamp and electrical outlets.

Back outside, sharply cut approach and departure angles, skid plates, bead lock-style wheels, an LED light bar and all-terrain tires give the VisionVenture the look of a motorhome that can handle itself off-road. The van also includes a 4x4 system, and roof-mounted solar adds off-grid power.

An electric grill slides out the back for outdoor cooking, a feature every camper van could use
An electric grill slides out the back for outdoor cooking, a feature every camper van could use

While we'd love to see a van very much like the VisionVenture go into production immediately (the Hymer Venture has a nice ring to it), this one's just a design study. Hymer CEO Christian Bauer does say that the company will use some of the concept's solutions in future production vehicles. And hopefully Hymer's overlords at Thor Industries are making plans to bring them over to American shores. The video clip below shows animation of the VisionVenture's many features.

Vanlife exklusiv: HYMER Concept Car VisionVenture

Source: Hymer

View gallery - 23 images
6 comments
6 comments
TJ Hadada
We will buy made in Canada or USA.
Username
It's kind of cruel to show the perfect camper and then say "Naw, we won't build it"!
Maryrose Duffy
Wonderful ..How Much?
guzmanchinky
That is SO cool. My 2019 4x4 Sprinter has an October build date, but it will be VERY simple inside. I'm looking to save weight but this Hymer looks incredible.
Bagels3534
Gorgeous. The "folding" bathroom is a genius use of space combining the feel of a dual wet/dry bathroom. Please make this and take my money.
melmark
Coolest van in history. Make it!