Automotive

Winnebago turns new Mercedes Sprinter into adventurous, lithium-powered all-season camper van

Winnebago turns new Mercedes Sprinter into adventurous, lithium-powered all-season camper van
The all-new Winnebago Boldt debuts at RVX, where it was also a Judge's Choice in the "City Escape" category of the Reveal competition
The all-new Winnebago Boldt debuts at RVX, where it was also a Judge's Choice in the "City Escape" category of the Reveal competition
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Winnebago held the debut of the new Boldt at RVX 2019 in Salt Lake City
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Winnebago held the debut of the new Boldt at RVX 2019 in Salt Lake City
The Boldt Q70 BL includes a removable pedestal table that mounts up front or between the rear sofa seats
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The Boldt Q70 BL includes a removable pedestal table that mounts up front or between the rear sofa seats
Like the Winnebago Revel based on the second-gen Sprinter, the new Boldt relies on an electric-powered induction cooktop for meal prep
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Like the Winnebago Revel based on the second-gen Sprinter, the new Boldt relies on an electric-powered induction cooktop for meal prep
The new Mercedes Sprinter brings the latest driver-assistance and MBUX infotainment into the fold
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The new Mercedes Sprinter brings the latest driver-assistance and MBUX infotainment into the fold
A look at the Q70 BL floor plan, which includes a front dining area, central kitchen and bathroom, and rear sofa/flex bed
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A look at the Q70 BL floor plan, which includes a front dining area, central kitchen and bathroom, and rear sofa/flex bed 
The Boldt kitchen includes not only the sink and cooktop but also a microwave and fridge/freezer – the specific microwave varies by floor plan
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The Boldt kitchen includes not only the sink and cooktop but also a microwave and fridge/freezer – the specific microwave varies by floor plan
The Boldt Q70 BL includes a compact wet cell
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The Boldt Q70 BL includes a compact wet cell
The versatile rear bed of the Q70 BL floor plan works as a pair of sofas, two twin beds or a single queen-size bed
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The versatile rear bed of the Q70 BL floor plan works as a pair of sofas, two twin beds or a single queen-size bed
Inside the new Winnebago Boldt Q70 BL
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Inside the new Winnebago Boldt Q70 BL
The Flex Bed System in the Q70 BL also means that you can load in bicycles, boards and other long gear down the center aisle
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The Flex Bed System in the Q70 BL also means that you can load in bicycles, boards and other long gear down the center aisle
Winnebago finishes the Sprinter into an attractive camper van
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Winnebago finishes the Sprinter into an attractive camper van
A big selling point of the new Boldt is the Volta Pure3 energy system with powerful lithium-ion battery and solar charging, designed to keep the van running overnight without the need for a hookup or generator
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A big selling point of the new Boldt is the Volta Pure3 energy system with powerful lithium-ion battery and solar charging, designed to keep the van running overnight without the need for a hookup or generator
Winnebago showed both floor plans at RVX; here is the Q70 KL model
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Winnebago showed both floor plans at RVX; here is the Q70 KL model
The all-new Winnebago Boldt debuts at RVX, where it was also a Judge's Choice in the "City Escape" category of the Reveal competition
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The all-new Winnebago Boldt debuts at RVX, where it was also a Judge's Choice in the "City Escape" category of the Reveal competition
The Q70 KL floor plan flips the kitchen to the other side, the bed to the center and the bathroom to the rear
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The Q70 KL floor plan flips the kitchen to the other side, the bed to the center and the bathroom to the rear
Beyond its driver-side location and microwave/convection oven combo, the KL kitchen block looks largely the same as the BL kitchen
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Beyond its driver-side location and microwave/convection oven combo, the KL kitchen block looks largely the same as the BL kitchen
The Q70 KL floor plan does not include the front dinette or removable pedestal table, instead relying on swivel cab seats and retractable tables
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The Q70 KL floor plan does not include the front dinette or removable pedestal table, instead relying on swivel cab seats and retractable tables
The KL's staggered bed lengths help to accommodate the larger rear bathroom but also mean a more compact sleeping area
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The KL's staggered bed lengths help to accommodate the larger rear bathroom but also mean a more compact sleeping area
Slim stainless steel bathroom sink in the Winnebago Boldt Q70 KL
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Slim stainless steel bathroom sink in the Winnebago Boldt Q70 KL
The Boldt Q70 KL shower
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The Boldt Q70 KL shower 
Boldt Q70 KL command center
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Boldt Q70 KL command center
Both floor plans include a 24-in TV mounted on the passenger side of the bed/lounge area
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Both floor plans include a 24-in TV mounted on the passenger side of the bed/lounge area
The Winnebago Boldt looking good in a charcoal paint
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The Winnebago Boldt looking good in a charcoal paint 
After months of watching Europe get some versatile camper vans based on the new third-gen Sprinter, America welcomes some of its own
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After months of watching Europe get some versatile camper vans based on the new third-gen Sprinter, America welcomes some of its own
Winnebago Boldt Q70 KL interior
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Winnebago Boldt Q70 KL interior
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The third-generation Mercedes Sprinter has already established itself in the European camper van market, bringing the latest passenger car-derived technologies to new camper vans like the Hymercar Grand Canyon S and La Strada Regent S 4x4. The Sprinter took longer to make it to the US, however, so the first American new-Sprinter camper vans are starting to warm their engines in time for the spring/summer 2019 camping season. Winnebago creates one of those vans with the all-new Boldt, which marries the tech-focused Sprinter with a comfy two- or three-sleeper floor plan, fully weatherized cabin and powerful lithium-based electrical system.

Named after German explorer and naturalist Alexander Von Humboldt, the new Boldt is a four-season, urban-to-outdoors adventure van built to respond to all kinds of travel needs. The new Sprinter base ensures a smooth ride, bringing with it features like active lane keeping assist, active brake assist, and the MBUX infotainment/nav system with 10-in touchscreen and voice recognition. Power comes from Mercedes' 188-hp 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

Winnebago has designed the Boldt for year-round use, equipping it with both a Coleman air conditioner and Truma Combi Eco Plus heater/hot water boiler. The four-season open-cell insulation is designed to maintain an optimal indoor temperature, while a winterized plumbing system keeps the water flowing when things get icy.

Winnebago finishes the Sprinter into an attractive camper van
Winnebago finishes the Sprinter into an attractive camper van

The Pure3 Energy Management System developed in collaboration with Volta Power Systems and also offered on Winnebago's Ram-based Travato van is designed to be robust enough to power the Boldt through the night without the need for shore power or a generator. It includes an 11.6-kWh lithium-ion battery wired to a 48V electrical system. Solar charging and the 220V alternator team to keep the battery charged and powering onboard equipment like the induction cooktop, microwave, LED lighting and 24-in LED HDTV.

The Boldt will launch as a 291-in (739-cm), 170-in-wheelbase camper with two distinct layouts. The Q70 BL floor plan brings a rear bed and central wet bathroom and kitchen areas. The Flex Bed System works as either two separate twin beds or a single 66 x 81-in (168 x 206-cm) queen, with the twins doubling as sofas during the day. The dining table can mount in the front dinette, between the swivel cab seats and front-facing bench, or between the rear sofas, allowing for flexible dining and lounging. The dinette can be converted to a third sleeping birth.

The versatile rear bed of the Q70 BL floor plan works as a pair of sofas, two twin beds or a single queen-size bed
The versatile rear bed of the Q70 BL floor plan works as a pair of sofas, two twin beds or a single queen-size bed

The Q70 KL floor plan features a larger, full-width wet bath at the rear and a more centralized bed. It also has a flex bed/lounge, but its 41 x 74-in (104 x 188-cm) combined bed configuration is significantly more compact than the BL's queen. The KL also lacks the front bench of the BL, creating its dining space with swivel cab seats and a flip-up table in place of the removable pedestal table on the BL. A microwave/convection oven combo is included in place of the standard microwave on the BL.

The KL sleeps two, while the BL can sleep a third person on the convertible dinette. Features common to both floor plans include the induction cooktop, under-counter fridge/freezer, 79-L fresh water tank, powered roof vent, exterior TV jack, integrated Ram Tough-Track mounts throughout, electric awning with LED lighting and outdoor wash station. Available options include a luggage rack and movable ladder.

Beyond its driver-side location and microwave/convection oven combo, the KL kitchen block looks largely the same as the BL kitchen
Beyond its driver-side location and microwave/convection oven combo, the KL kitchen block looks largely the same as the BL kitchen

Winnebago has not yet finalized pricing, but we can expect the new van to start above the ~$US150,000 Sprinter-based Era and Revel models. It shouldn't take too long for the company to fill in the pricing blank more specifically because it plans to get the Boldt to dealerships in spring, with 4x4 models to follow in summer.

Winnebago debuted the Boldt at last week's RVX show, where it showed both floor plans. You can get a better feel for each in our photo gallery.

Source: Winnebago

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3 comments
3 comments
guzmanchinky
I have experience with Winnebago. The quality and fit and finish of the Revel is very sub par. Their designs are great but the quality is lacking. I have a 4x4 Sprinter on order but I'm having a customizer build the interior, and it will cost less than the Revel, but have the exact same layout. Not sure what the point of a 170 inch 4x4 is, those things are too long to take anywhere off road?
ChairmanLMAO
well i'd say the point of 170 inch 4x4 sprinters is canadian winter driving. i'd like one of these but guzmanchinky might have a great idea there. i'd like to know more about the customizer.
EcoLogical
The heading said "Lithium Powered" and I was hoping this new camper van was based on the new eSprinter with full (Li-ion) battery electric propulsion. But, unfortunately this van still has the 'dirty diesel' engine. If Winnebago makes a "Lithium Powered" camper van based on the new eSprinter from Mercedes, I'll buy it!