Automotive

VW plug-in mini-camper outplays California with 75-mile electric range

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Reimo always comes to the annual Caravan Salon with a bunch of small camper packages and components, and one of the highlights this year was this Caddy Maxi Camp 2 4Motion mini-camper
CC Weiss/New Atlas
Reimo always comes to the annual Caravan Salon with a bunch of small camper packages and components, and one of the highlights this year was this Caddy Maxi Camp 2 4Motion mini-camper
CC Weiss/New Atlas
Reimo's Camp 2 package works with the folded seats so that the Caddy can transport five people and sleep two to four, depending on whether it has the pop-up sleeper roof like this one does
CC Weiss/New Atlas
The efficient dinette features two benches that convert over from the bed and a removable table that attaches to the kitchen block
CC Weiss/New Atlas
A peek inside the Reimo Caddy Camp 2 mini-camper
CC Weiss/New Atlas
The "Allrad" advertises the fact this van is based on a Caddy Maxi 4Motion all-wheel-drive van
CC Weiss/New Atlas
Reimo showed the Caddy Maxi Camp 2 mini-camper at the 2024 Caravan Salon earlier this month
CC Weiss/New Atlas
Reimo jumps on Volkswagen's recent announcement, stressing that the Camp 2 can also be specced as a plug-in hybrid with VW's all-new 148-hp eHybrid powertrain option
CC Weiss/New Atlas
It's certainly a bit cozy to the point of claustrophobic, but the Camp 2 is an impressively equipped tiny camper that gives you what you need to shelter inside
CC Weiss/New Atlas
Unlike Reimo's Weekender 2 Caddy package, the Camp 2 puts the emphasis on indoor living with a full kitchen block and storage console on the passenger's side
CC Weiss/New Atlas
Volkswagen announced the all-new Caddy eHybrid in August and is currently showing it at the IAA Transportation expo
VW Commercial Vehicles
The Caddy eHybrid offers up to 75 miles of pure-electric driving per charge, making it a cleaner, more efficient mini-camper platform
VW Commercial Vehicles
The Camp 2's lower bed is definitely a snug sleeper
Reimo
Inside the Reimo Caddy Maxi Camp 2
Reimo
Reimo offers several options for stowing a portable toilet in the Camp 2, including this purpose-fit box
Reimo
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Reimo's Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Camp is often among the top highlights of the tiny camper van segment at the annual Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, but this year's variant was doubly so. Not only does Reimo's mini-camper handily surpass Volkswagen's own Caddy California in terms of overall van life accommodations, it's also the first Caddy camper conversion with available plug-in hybrid power. Volkswagen's new second-generation plug-in eHybrid system offers an impressive combination of electric and petrol driving for a truly capable camping vehicle that shows the cleanest, quietest respect for its campground neighbors.

The 485-cm (191-in) Caddy Maxi Camp 2 that Reimo showed at this year's Caravan Salon is similar to the Caddy Weekender 2 we looked over in 2022, albeit with more focus on indoor living. That means it houses a full interior kitchen that runs from inside the passenger-side sliding door to the tailgate. Up front, a slide-out single-burner gas or induction cooker and bowl sink plumbed to fresh and waste water canisters in the lower cabinets fill out the kitchen. The tall cabinet at the rear makes room for a 39-L compressor fridge that can be easily accessed from both inside the van and outside the tailgate.

Unlike Reimo's Weekender 2 Caddy package, the Camp 2 puts the emphasis on indoor living with a full kitchen block and storage console on the passenger's side
CC Weiss/New Atlas

The Maxi Camp 2's kitchen will certainly appeal more to those who like to have the option of cooking inside the van than the Weekender 2's slide-out galley. With the portable stove, cooking outside won't be a problem, either.

On the downside, the addition of the kitchen/storage console seriously cuts into available bed space, and the bed measures in at a snug 195 x 96 cm (77 x 38 in). That's plenty of length, but the width is the same as a twin bed, ordinarily reserved for solo sleepers. Maybe a pair of children or a particularly svelte, enamored couple might have a go at sharing the bed, but otherwise the Camp 2 might be more of a three-person than a proper four-sleeper.

The Camp 2's lower bed is definitely a snug sleeper
Reimo

Either way, that's at least one more berth than Volkswagen's own Caddy California thanks to Reimo's pop-up sleeper roof, an option that Volkswagen doesn't offer for its smallest camper van. The front-hinged pop-top clears headroom over the kitchen and lounge area and houses a slightly wider 195 x 100-cm (77 x 39-in) bed. When closed, the roof still sits well under the 2-m (79-in) parking garage cutoff at 193 cm (76 in).

During the day, the lower bed flips and folds into a two-seat dining lounge with a table that attaches to the inner side of the kitchen block. The rear-facing front seat even includes a foldable seat back for better comfort and support. Several different crate options are available to store a portable cassette toilet so buyers won't be at a loss for a bathroom option.

Reimo jumps on Volkswagen's recent announcement, stressing that the Camp 2 can also be specced as a plug-in hybrid with VW's all-new 148-hp eHybrid powertrain option
CC Weiss/New Atlas

At its Caravan Salon showing, the 120-hp TDI-powered Caddy Maxi Camp 2 wore a sign that said it was also available as a plug-in hybrid, referencing the Caddy eHybrid model Volkswagen announced earlier in August. That model is currently making a trade fair premiere at this week's IAA Transportation show and comes powered by a 148-hp combination of 1.5-liter TSI evo2 petrol engine and electric motor.

The eHybrid's 19.7-kWh battery pack is estimated to be good for up to 122 km (75 miles) of all-electric driving per charge, giving the Caddy Maxi Camp 2 plenty of near-silent zero-emissions range potential when slow-rolling through cities, around campgrounds and down forest roads, without giving up the longer mileage and faster, painless fueling of an internal combustion powertrain. The new powertrain more than doubles the 50 estimated all-electric kilometers (31 miles) of the current-gen 13-kWh VW Multivan PHEV and 56 all-electric kilometers (35 miles) of the Ford Nugget PHEV.

Volkswagen announced the all-new Caddy eHybrid in August and is currently showing it at the IAA Transportation expo
VW Commercial Vehicles

The complete Caddy Maxi 2 with 4Motion all-wheel drive Reimo showed in Düsseldorf wore an MSRP of €69,932 (approx. US$77,750), including VAT. Those looking for something cheaper will be happy to note that the company breaks the package down into several separate pieces, including the kitchen block, sleeper roof, and accessories like diesel heating and toilet.

Volkswagen has added the eHybrid powertrain option to Caddy passenger and cargo vans in standard- and long-wheelbase (Maxi) sizes, with pricing starting at €44,012 ($48,925) for the standard-wheelbase Caddy Cargo eHybrid and €46,475 ($51,675) for the Caddy Cargo Maxi eHybrid, both including VAT. Volkswagen has not announced a Caddy California eHybrid, making Reimo the first to offer the plug-in powertrain on a camper van.

Sources: Reimo, VW Commercial Vehicles

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3 comments
martinwinlow
What *is* the point? All the research done on the subject says that no-one bothers to 'plug in' plug-in hybrids. So, you still need all the servicing of an ICEV, all the cost of the fuel you put in the tank, all the pollution the engine generates (not to mention noise and vibration) and you are carting around all the weight and complexity of the ICEV drive train compared to an EV's AND you add the extra weight and added complication of an EV drivetrain as well! All for a paltry 5% (at best) improvement in fuel economy - and only then when used in stop-go traffic. What kind of an utter dullard thinks this is a good idea? Or does VW think all it's customers are really daft, just using the green-wash of a hybrid to allow them to continue to cling on to their comfort blanket of ICEV manufacturing rather than just bite the inevitable bullet and go EV *now*! (...mind you, they got away with Dieselgate for years so maybe they have a point?!).
Gordien
Martin makes a good point. Unless you can use the ICE for things other than propulsion, like space heating, you might as well have an electric van with a cubby to hold a gas powered generator (or leave it out). Add more battery and extra solar charging. Cooking inside from the weather is good. Aerodynamics is important. I would need a little more room under the pop top.
geofff
For an alterative view. It's a camper that would suit a daily commute, when 100% of your fuel comes from your employer's electricity, or home solar with home home battery. When touring, a snall camper is ideal for cooking a meal while charging, or having a lounge over coffee & tv, so probably 80-100% of touring fuel might be electric, (unless you enjoy thrashing motorways on holiday). Its a heavy vehicle, so great for regen braking to top up its modest battery.