Carado and Sunlight launch their first ever campervans

Two German motorhome manufacturers, who are both part of the Erwin Hymer Group and share the same production facility in eastern Germany, have launched near identical campervans

Carado, which has built its reputation on building quality entry-level motorhomes, has called this new range of campervans the Vlow (pronounced ‘flow’).

Meanwhile its sister company, Sunlight, has called its new range the Cliff [pictured below]. Sunlight also sells motorhomes in the entry-level segment but is aimed at a younger audience than Carado, which says it appeals to the slightly more conservative audience.

Both ranges are the same except for some design, fabric, graphic and exterior colour changes and both share the same model designations [the Vlow, pictured bottom left]. All are built in the same factory but not in Germany – these campervans are built at the Laika factory in Italy.

The Vlow and Cliff come in four layouts all with rear fixed beds.

The V 540 and V 600 have rear transverse double beds, while the V 640 has a longitudinal double that can be used as two single beds and the V 601 comes with bunk beds for up to four people.

All the slatted bed frames can be folded upwards and locked into place to improve storage space and, by removing the partition to the living area, you have transport especially bulky objects. Furthermore all rear storage compartments come with lashing rings as standard.

All are based on the ubiquitous Fiat Ducato with the standard 115bhp engine, although upgrades are available for higher outputs. They vary in length between 5.41m and 6.36m depending on the variant.

All models feature a half-dinette lounge, which has two forward-facing travel seats with the upholstery options ‘Explorer’ in dark brown and beige or ‘Arctica’ in light grey in the Carado models and in ‘Gold Coast’ in dark brown and beige or ‘Tofino Beach’ in light and dark shades of grey in the Sunlight models.

The cab seats with matching covers can be swivelled to join the lounging area. Depending on the layout, the wardrobe of the living area varies in its width or is completely absent.

The galley is opposite the dinette and alongside the sliding side door. The three bigger layouts (600, 601 and 640) come with a larger kitchen unit with high-level fridge, a second wardrobe underneath, a two-burner hob with glass lid and a sink with cutting board. The shorter 540 has a smaller kitchen unit with integrated compressor fridge in the entrance area and adjoining wardrobe. It also features a two-burner hob, integrated sink and glass lid.

The washroom features a fixed washbasin, toilet and extendible shower tap. There is also a clothes rail integrated into the ceiling.

Options include engine upgrades, chassis in various silver tones, alloy wheels, pre-wiring for TV and reversing camera, an additional bed and an awning.

There are also three packages on offer from both manufacturers, which are exactly the same: The Basic Package includes, amongst others, a wooden duckboard for the shower tray, captain’s chairs with armrests, a window in the bathroom, cab blinds and a flyscreen door.

The Chassis Package consists of cab air-con, passenger airbag, electric and heated mirrors, cruise control and a lot more.

Finally, the Chassis Comfort Package includes a leather steering wheel and gear knob, an instrument panel with chrome rings, a dashboard with applications as well as LED daytime running light strips, headlights with black frame and a radiator grill in glossy black.

However, it should be noted that all models coming to the UK already have a special UK-specific pack that adds additional equipment and specification as standard.

Prices have not yet been announced for either range but will be fixed by the October NEC show.

Learn more about all the new 2018 models in the special free supplement with the November issue of MMM magazine.

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