At first blush, the brand new Knaus Boxtime camper van seems to be an idea, not solely as a result of Knaus refers to it because the “camper van of the long run” but additionally as a result of it is loaded with envelope-pushing options like a remodeling moist/dry toilet and weight-saving supplies. Because it seems, although, the long run is now. Knaus has ready a minimum of 4 totally different variants of the sensible, fashionable Boxtime camper van household for forthcoming launch.
Two of Europe’s largest, most vital RV manufacturing teams, Knaus Tabbert and Erwin Hymer Group typically jostle for the buzziest design of the annual Düsseldorf Caravan Salon. Think about previous debuts just like the 2013 Caravisio towable yacht (Knaus), the Vision Venture futuristic B+ camper van (Hymer), the Dethleffs E.Home Coco self-driven caravan (Hymer), and the E.Power Drive Wankel-boosted e-camper van (Knaus). And people are just some idea highlights; there are many others, together with some spectacular manufacturing autos.
Knaus
This 12 months guarantees to be fairly a battle between the 2 formidable opponents, as Erwin Hymer manufacturers have previewed attractive new launches just like the Bürstner Signature and Dethleffs E.Home Eco. To not be overshadowed, Knaus held its annual new product preview earlier this month and confirmed among the new designs it is certain to point out on the 2025 Caravan Salon. The Boxtime ranks excessive amongst them.
One frequent thread that is already uniting a variety of this 12 months’s Hymer and Knaus contenders is the transformable toilet, which bridges the hole between moist and dry RV toilet layouts. Historically a dry toilet has separate and distinct bathroom and bathe areas, whereas a moist toilet combines them each right into a single compartment to avoid wasting treasured area.
Knaus
The moist/dry hybrid, on the opposite, hand affords a transformable area with separate bathroom and bathe “modes.” We noticed a sliding variant within the aforementioned Signature, and Knaus unveils a swiveling design for the Boxtime.
The Boxtime’s centrally situated toilet begins off as a rest room room. The entrance wall, upon which the sink hangs, truly conceals the bathe behind it. When it is time for a full-body wash-down, the wall swings again in seconds, hiding away the bathroom and sink behind it and opening up the unobstructed bathe space. All 4 deliberate Boxtime fashions will embrace the swivel toilet wall, however the dimensions and form of the room itself seem to range barely from mannequin to mannequin.
Knaus
The extra we see the sort of convertible toilet emerge in new and premium European camper vans and small motorhomes, the extra we predict it is certain to develop into an ordinary around the globe. It is actually higher than showering in a cramped area between the sink and bathroom, offering a extra residential-like toilet with fully unbiased bathroom and bathe areas, albeit atop the identical footprint.
One other revolutionary characteristic Knaus highlights within the Boxtime’s design is the usage of Gentle Weight Expertise, recyclable supplies it says reduce a complete of 60 kg (132 lb) off the curb weight of the Boxtime 600 MQ mannequin. This begins with thinned-out inside wall profiles that not solely save weight however end in an additional 7 cm (2.8 in) of width that enables for simpler motion down the aisle between the galley and loo. The up to date materials set can also be mentioned to ship extra uniform thermal efficiency and higher vibration absorption.
Knaus
The person Boxtime fashions characteristic a lot the identical structure however with some notable furnishings variations, resembling transverse vs. longitudinal rear beds. The longitudinal mattress on the flagship 630 MX variant comes commonplace with a push-button electrical raise system that raises it throughout the day for added cargo area. Energy-lift beds are optionally available on the remaining three variants.
Knaus
Different options of notice embrace an ordinary consolation mattress system with disc springs, a panoramic entrance window over the van cab windshield, and a direct and ambient LED inside lighting system. Every van seats 4 individuals and sleeps three or 4, relying on mannequin.
Knaus has not but launched the complete line-item spec sheet for the brand new Boxtime collection, so we’ll have to attend for the particulars, together with pricing info. The 4 particular person fashions are the 540 MQ, 600 MQ, 630 ME and 630 MX. The preliminary picture batch included right here highlights the 600 MQ completely, however hopefully Knaus can have further fashions to point out on the 2025 Caravan Salon.
Supply: Knaus
