Travel

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted society and ordinary citizens on a scale not seen since the Second World War. For the aerospace industry, the crisis goes far beyond ruined holiday plans.

Frank Eusterholz had big electric camper van ambitions. He put a PlugVan module into a VW e-Crafter and went on a 7,500-km journey to the northern tip of Continental Europe. His trip serves as an inspiring early look at electric RVing possibilities.

Volkswagen put the finishing touch on a very compelling range of modern California camper vans when it debuted the new Caddy California in September. Despite its move up to full motorhome status, the Caddy mini-campervan still starts under €30,000.

Sussex Campervans has taken its all-electric Nissan camper van a step further than others, eliminating both gasoline and LPG from the build. The gas-free mini-campervan is electric through and through, offering an efficient way of traveling and camping.

Hyundai may not be the first auto brand one might associate with campers, but the Korean automaker does have a small RV lineup in its home country. The Porest motorhome is the latest, a spacious home-on-the-road with 3 beds, a bath and smart control.

Vanlife Manufaktur aims to elevate the van life experience to a higher level. Its Concept Camper turns 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.

The RV market is young in China, but a couple of pop-top vans are mixed in with the crazy concepts and EVs of Auto China 2020. The new Maxus RG20 is similar to European pop-tops but with a few features purpose-built for Chinese #vanlife.

The new Alphavan debuts as a massive Mercedes Sprinter camper with duplex bedroom, entertainment suite, and smart home-grade control system accessed all around the van. Yet, it still manages to weigh less than smaller camper vans.

The VanTourer Urban debuts as the latest Mercedes camper van, adding a small Vito pop-up alternative to the company's line of Ducato campers. The floor plan brings an in/outdoor kitchen, 4 sleeping berths and the ability to change to everyday modes.

It has not been a great year for travel. Conversely, it's a terrific year for looking at travel photos and getting your wanderlust on. Mobile app Agora's users have spoken, and from 13,685 entries, have selected their favorite travel photos of 2020.

Variomobil's new Perfect series flagship, the Perfect 1200 Platinum, is a taste of exclusive real estate atop a triple-axle Mercedes chassis, with three slide-outs and an XXL garage for a Mercedes-AMG GT.

Europe has many modular camper vans, but most are smaller vans that lack the space and features of a larger camper. Vöhringer explores the next step by sizing its ConceptCamper up to a Ducato, adding a classic layout complete with removable bathroom.