Automotive

Vanlife Concept Camper injects the Ducato with style and purpose

Vanlife Concept Camper injects the Ducato with style and purpose
It's called a Concept Camper, but the package from Germany's Vanlife Manufaktur is available to add to Sevel vans
It's called a Concept Camper, but the package from Germany's Vanlife Manufaktur is available to add to Sevel vans
View 16 Images
It's called a Concept Camper, but the package from Germany's Vanlife Manufaktur is available to add to Sevel vans
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It's called a Concept Camper, but the package from Germany's Vanlife Manufaktur is available to add to Sevel vans
Vanlife has shown multiple iterations of the Concept Camper this year
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Vanlife has shown multiple iterations of the Concept Camper this year
The kitchen area and its oak wood counter and backsplash is the highlight of the Concept Camper design
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The kitchen area and its oak wood counter and backsplash is the highlight of the Concept Camper design
The rear of the Concept Camper comes with a raised bed, and available options include a slide-out cargo box and a bicycle carrier
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The rear of the Concept Camper comes with a raised bed, and available options include a slide-out cargo box and a bicycle carrier
The adjustable table serves as dining table and workstation
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The adjustable table serves as dining table and workstation
The optional rear slide-out makes it easier to grab and go
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The optional rear slide-out makes it easier to grab and go
No rear passenger seats, but this Vanlife Concept Camper has three front seats
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No rear passenger seats, but this Vanlife Concept Camper has three front seats
Inside the Vanlife Concept Camper
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Inside the Vanlife Concept Camper
Vanlife Concept Camper
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Vanlife Concept Camper
Vanlife calls this slight variation the Sportiv (Sporty) Concept, and it includes additions like the available all-terrain tires and suspension lift
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Vanlife calls this slight variation the Sportiv (Sporty) Concept, and it includes additions like the available all-terrain tires and suspension lift
Another change in the Sportiv Concept is the removal of the kitchen fridge for a slide-out indoor/outdoor-access Engel fridge under the bench
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Another change in the Sportiv Concept is the removal of the kitchen fridge for a slide-out indoor/outdoor-access Engel fridge under the bench
Inside the Vanlife Sportiv Concept Camper
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Inside the Vanlife Sportiv Concept Camper
Closer look at the kitchen counter area
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Closer look at the kitchen counter area
Overhead cabinets run over the kitchen and bed
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Overhead cabinets run over the kitchen and bed
Vanlife offers two toilet options
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Vanlife offers two toilet options
The all-terrain Sportiv variant includes a slide-out cooler-style fridge
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The all-terrain Sportiv variant includes a slide-out cooler-style fridge
View gallery - 16 images

German camper van converter Vanlife Manufaktur aims to elevate the van life experience to a higher level. Its Concept Camper demonstrates those ambitions unequivocally, turning the cold, white walls of the Fiat Ducato into the type of warm, homey lodge-on-wheels any roadway adventurer will happily retire to each evening. Real wood, hidden components and a spacious layout combine to push Vanlife's Concept above and beyond the typical mass-produced camper van roaming Europe.

With several years of experience creating custom van conversions, Vanlife Manufaktur turned its attention toward creating more of an over-the-counter conversion package, introducing the Concept Camper earlier this year. "Concept Camper" was originally a code name but seems to have stuck, appearing across Vanlife's website, price list, inquiry form and social media presence. The project has become a Concept Camper that's more than just a camper concept.

Open the the Concept Camper's sliding door and the kitchen will very likely be the first thing to catch your attention. Not only is it straight across the aisle, but it's the inarguable highlight of the conversion, anchored by a countertop and backsplash handcrafted from natural oak wood.

Closer look at the kitchen counter area
Closer look at the kitchen counter area

Thanks to the long build of that counter, the Vanlife Concept doesn't rely on a flush-top sunken stove, instead cooking with a dual-burner gas unit that rises above counter level. A designer sink next to the stove and a 45-L compressor fridge below the counter complete the kitchen equipment package, while overhead cabinets and under-counter drawers and cabinets provide plenty of storage.

The driver-side location of the kitchen differs from many full-size German-built camper vans, and that's because Vanlife eliminates the two-seat passenger bench/dinette that would usually occupy the space behind the cockpit. Instead, it seats two on a longitudinal cushioned bench on the passenger side. They're served atop a swiveling central table that can also serve as an extra kitchen worktop or a desk.

The adjustable table serves as dining table and workstation
The adjustable table serves as dining table and workstation

The fixed bed fills out the rear, raised above a central passthrough storage area with available slide-out cargo bin. The transverse bed pairs a slatted frame with a 160 x 190-cm (63 x 75-in) cold foam mattress. Buyers can also request a split-folding bed for more cargo flexibility.

Vanlife does not attempt to install a bathroom, instead leaving it up to the buyer. A portable toilet can be added on, as can an outdoor shower plumbed to an 84-L expansion fresh water tank and available boiler.

Finishing off the design is wood ceiling paneling and interior trim, PVC flooring, fabric wall trim, and plenty of storage under and over the furniture. Power comes from a 100-Ah lithium battery with 50-A charger, and buyers can add on 90 to 400 watts of solar charging.

The Concept Camper package was designed around a 599-cm (236-in) Fiat Ducato L4H2 and naturally fits the Ducato's Sevel factory siblings, the Citroën Jumper and Peugeot Boxer, in the same size. Vanlife can upgrade the van with an optional suspension lift and BFGoodrich AT tires for improved all-terrain capabilities.

Vanlife calls this slight variation the Sportiv (Sporty) Concept, and it includes additions like the available all-terrain tires and suspension lift
Vanlife calls this slight variation the Sportiv (Sporty) Concept, and it includes additions like the available all-terrain tires and suspension lift

The Concept Camper package starts at €34,900 (approx. US$41,175) before options. That price does not include the van. Vanlife can also adapt the package around other full-size vans, like the Mercedes Sprinter or MAN TGE/VW Crafter.

Source: Vanlife Manufaktur

View gallery - 16 images
1 comment
1 comment
sdw
Big waste of money. When you add the price of the van in.
You can get a 4X4 crew cab, long bed, dually, diesel truck, and a Host Mammoth truck camper for that much money. And the Host camper comes with a choice of three different solar systems a 65-gallon freshwater tank, a 35-gallon grey water tank, a 35-gallon black water tank, a full-size shower with skylight. 3 slide-outs, king or queen size bed. and on and on and on. And it will go places that van can't even dream about going.