Automotive

Flow Camper captures the spirit of the classic Volkswagen camper bus

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Flow Camper with a classic VW camper
With its removable equipment, the Flow Camper T6 can also be used for everyday commuting and cargo hauling
The Flow Camper's pop-up roof means it can better fit in garages
The Flow Camper has a roof bed and cabin bed
Out and about in the Flow Camper
The folding cabin bed
The Flow Camper comes with a single-burner camping stove
An adventure wagon for 2016
The three modules contain primary camping equipment like the sink
The Flow Camper is decorated in full 1960s style
Inside the Flow Camper
Flow Camper with a classic VW camper
The Flow Camper includes a 25L fridge
Inside the Flow Camper
Inside the Flow Camper
The versatile table can be set up inside or outside
The German-designed Flow Camper
The folding bed fits in back
Like the modules, the folding bed is easily removable
Flow Camper at camp
View gallery - 19 images

Over the past year, Volkswagen has been trying hard to tap into the spirit of its classic Type 2 T1 and T2 vans, offering a retro-inspired launch package for the T6 van and channeling its heritage into the Budd-e concept. Neither was all that convincing. A new camper van from German van converter Martin Hemp looks like a far more fitting tribute to the original Type 2s. The T6-based Flow Camper captures the "freedom and love" spirit of 1960s-era VW campers while outfitting road trippers with a modular set of modern camping equipment.

One look at the orange paint and flowery graphics of the Flow Camper is enough to bring to mind the VW hippie campers of old. And if you're not familiar with those classic camper vans, the design should bring you directly to the sense of fun and freedom the originals were known for. Whether you use it to camp beachside and scout waves or road-tour entire continents, this van doesn't take itself too seriously, keeping focus on the thrill of the journey.

The German-designed Flow Camper

It may be the bright styling of the pictured Flow Camper that gets your attention, but the van's content is its real selling point. And that's not surprising because Martin Hemp has plenty of experience turning van interiors into cozy living areas with his Terra Camper lineup of Mercedes and VW campers.

It seems like we can't say "European camper van" lately without including the words "modular" and "multi-use," and the Flow Camper is yet another example. By using light, simple camping modules, the van switches easily between camping, people moving and cargo hauling.

The main camping equipment is contained within three compact, removable indoor/outdoor modules. There's a sink, 12L fresh and waste water tanks, single-burner outdoor gas cartridge stove and 25L compressor refrigerator. Campers create the indoor/outdoor table top using one or two of the module lids.

The Flow Camper is decorated in full 1960s style

The Flow Camper comes complete with a pop-up roof with bed and a folding platform bed for the main cabin, sleeping up to five. A heater, LED lighting, and 12V power with electrical sockets and USB ports are also part of the conversion. The tie-dye upholstery, curtains and trim, flower vase, and ashtray ensure that the interior is every bit as nostalgic as the exterior.

The Flow Camper debuted at last year's Düsseldorf Caravan Salon and has been appearing at other camping shows, including last month's CMT. It comes in 100-hp, 150-hp and 200-hp T6 flavors, with orange or white paint, ranging between €44,900 and €59,900 (US$50,000 and $66,500). Five seats are standard but the van can be fitted with up to eight optionally.

Source: Flow Camper

View gallery - 19 images
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9 comments
Heliotropicsquirrel
This looks and feels nothing like the original.
JetDoc
I owned a whole series of VW vans back in "the day". The old VW camper vans were popular because they were CHEAP and reliable. At €44,900 to €59,900 (US$50,000 to $66,500), these new campers are certainly NOT cheap. No self-respecting Hippie would be caught dead camping out in a van that cost more than most houses did back then...
Makoto
Two comments. The new camper is disappointing to me. I don't feel VW captured what we old timers are looking for ni a new VW camper. I think I speak for many when I say that I'm looking for something with styling/looks mush closer to the original VW campers and vans. Secondly, the price is way to high as far as I'm concerned.
Zachary E. Mohrmann
I'm sorry it is nothing against Volkswagen, but there is no similarity between the two whatsoever.. And no one can convince me otherwise...! The original was never closer then the model I saw back in 2000, or 2001 at the New York Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Center, I felt that one if any would be the best of the Combi Similarities to reproduce the bus, But these astro van looking things do not come within a close facsimile whatsoever looking like one.. Even it's interior is nowhere closer to it's look.. Let's just face it nothing of this model VW reminds us of the Iconic Microbus, in any way.. I don't know why VW with all it's techknowledgey just does not bring the Bus back as it would surely sell..
bergamot69
I hardly think a white stripe and some stick-on flower graphics invoke a sense of the '60s VW vans.
At the very least, they should have given it a complete two-tone paint job with a white or off-white 'glasshouse' (since they went to the trouble of painting the roof anyway), and done something about those ugly black plastic bumpers too.
Especially with the unflattering orange colour, this just looks like a municipal utility vehicle with an add on elevating roof.
trestlehed
Many years ago I was looking at a very nice used Eurovan Westfalia at a VW dealership. The salesman asked me what I thought of it. Much like Heliotropicsquirrel commented above, I asked the salesman: "When will VW figure out that hippies and surfers cannot afford $60k camper vans?" Obviously VW missed the boat on the retro-camper. Now that they have pissed-off everyone with their emissions scandal, I think they would have to come out with an incredibly affordable and drool-worthy campervan to attract the masses.
Stephen N Russell
Produce for US market & for Sales & Rentals alone Offer in 60s hippie colors for body exterior. & modify interior for Hippie VW Type models. & use colors from 50s-60s era for Van.
Cam Griffin
C'mon, this is a barely inspired custom Weekender, sometimes you guys will reprint anyone's press release! Journalism please.
YouAre
The stove on the image 18 cost me $20 a year ago. The stove doesn't seem to fit the van's price-tag, but if one considers that the price of labour/marketing has risen quite fast since the hippy times, someone has to find savings somewhere