Automotive

Mercedes-based Hymer Van S motorhome promises a compact but comfy holiday

Mercedes-based Hymer Van S motorhome promises a compact but comfy holiday
The Hymer Van S finds a compromise between the camper van and Type C motorhome
The Hymer Van S finds a compromise between the camper van and Type C motorhome
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The kitchen packs a two-burner stove, sink and refrigerator
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The kitchen packs a two-burner stove, sink and refrigerator
Swivel front seats
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Swivel front seats
The Van S 500 comes with a single double bed while the Van S 520 has two single beds
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The Van S 500 comes with a single double bed while the Van S 520 has two single beds
Dining/living area
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Dining/living area
The storage garage
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The storage garage
Inside the Van S
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Inside the Van S
Inside the bathroom
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Inside the bathroom
The sink flips out of the way to conserve space
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The sink flips out of the way to conserve space
Hymer's Van S will launch later this year
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Hymer's Van S will launch later this year
The Van S is powered by a 129-hp Mercedes engine
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The Van S is powered by a 129-hp Mercedes engine
The all-new Hymer Van S debuted at the CMT show earlier this month
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The all-new Hymer Van S debuted at the CMT show earlier this month
The Hymer Van S finds a compromise between the camper van and Type C motorhome
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The Hymer Van S finds a compromise between the camper van and Type C motorhome
View gallery - 12 images

We've seen many a camper van designed to pull double duty, commuting around town during the week and venturing out to the forest or coast on weekends. Multipurpose campers like Hymer's own V-Class concept are typically built inside stock vans, but Hymer has taken a different route with its new "Van" series, planting its own foam-insulated aluminum cabin atop a bare chassis. The new Van S is aimed at versatility with its combination of comfy living space with bathroom and compact Mercedes Sprinter-based footprint.

Hymer classifies its Van as a super-compact motorhome designed to serve as both RV and second car. Essentially a Class B+ motorhome, the Van can maneuver city spaces while still offering a comfortable home away from home. Van models fit comfortably between Hymercars (Hymer's converted camper van line) and Hymer's larger Class C offerings.

The company originally introduced the Van model line in 2005 and put it on hiatus for a while before bringing it back last June. Most recently it rolled the new Sprinter-based Van S out next to the standard Fiat-based Van.

Hymer's Van S will launch later this year
Hymer's Van S will launch later this year

The Van S 500 is based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis with 128-in (3,250-mm) wheelbase. The entire motorhome stretches 222 in (5,650 mm) in length, which is about 15.4 in (390 mm) longer than the Mercedes Sprinter panel van with that same wheelbase. It spans 87.4 in (2,220 mm) in width and stands 114 in (2,900 mm) high.

We'd have to drive it and camp it to know for sure, but the sizing definitely seems about right for mixing van-like maneuverability and driving feel with a larger interior living space.

The Van S 500 features a double bed against the rear wall, sleeping two standard with the option for one more berth. Sandwiched between that bed and the dining area is a 28 x 37-in (70 x 95-cm) washroom with toilet and fold-down basin sink. Opposite the bathroom, the kitchen unit houses a two-burner stove, sink and 65-liter refrigerator.

Swivel front seats
Swivel front seats

The vehicle also has a 95 Ah AGM battery, 90-liter fresh water tank and 100-liter waste water tank. LEDs light the interior, and a Truma Combi 4 air heater warms it. The van is prewired for radio and TV, and Hymer offers a number of TV and radio options. Other options include air conditioning, an outdoor shower and a second 95 Ah battery.

Hymer showed the Van S at the recent CMT travel and leisure show in Stuttgart, and it will bring it to market this July. The 500 model will start at €56,990 (approx. US$61,900) and the larger 6.36-m (250-in) 520 S with two single beds in place of the double bed will start at €59,990 ($65,200). Both models will rely on Mercedes' 129-hp CDI engine driving the rear wheels.

Source: Hymer

View gallery - 12 images
7 comments
7 comments
sdcal19
Rented a motorhome not much bigger than this last summer, but pails in comparison to this thing. Plus we only got 6 miles to the gallon! Looks like a perfect size for my family. Some day maybe.
guzmanchinky
What I have found is that the only way to go is a stealth camper. A regular utility van (Sprinter or Ford) with a high roof painted white. No indication that it's an RV from the outside. This lets you park and sleep wherever you want to, in any city or suburb, without having to worry about finding an RV park that has availability, or being kicked out of some location. Add 4wd and you can go anywhere, anytime, for free. And you can probably park it at your own home or apartment eliminating storage fees. This van is super nice, but it looks like an RV, which means there are only certain places you can use it and overnight in it...
Recon7
@ guzmanchinky
I routinely ride my neighborhood looking for "stealth" campers. When I find them I make an anonymous call to the cops. All I need to say is they are dumping tanks. No HOME owner wants these transient vagrants near their property.
nubwaxer
if it doesn't have an above cab sleeper loft forget it. still it looks too small.
guzmanchinky
@ Recon7, well, I guess you haven't found me yet! HAHAHA! You wouldn't even know I was camping, it looks like any other plumber's van from the outside, that was the point! But seriously, I've been doing this for over a decade and no one has ever given me the least lick of trouble (but of course dumping anything in someone's street will get you noticed!). That said, two tenants with small RV's in my neighborhood have been ticketed dozens of times because of all the "no RV parking" laws on the books here. Like I said, just an opinion, but my favorite RV is the one that doesn't look like an RV...
EfraimMayer
It would be perfect if you had a double dinette. How is it is not feasible. Never buy a motorhome where you have to rotate the cabin seats because it is uncomfortable to work with. The table in addition to being tightened to another person who sits can not get out. You also can not close the curtain, isolating the cabin. If they had made a comfortable bunk in the rear would fit a double dinette. But the designers never learn, they want to put a double bed in an extremely limited space. Result: when you get out of bed you have nowhere to stay, besides being spilled on that little table; total disaster
Chrisposeyrider
When is it coming to the US pretty cool nice size a gas engine would be nice