Full review

AFTER the flurry of new models launched last year, 2008 will be a year of consolidation at Hymer, as the German motorhome manufacturing giant celebrates its 50th birthday.

The new motorhome line-up comprises eight ranges with some 69 models, but instead of following through with a raft of new models and layouts for 2008, Hymer has concentrated on re-engineering its existing layouts to make them lighter and more affordable.

The principal driver for this strategy is EU driving licence regulations, which limit drivers at both ends of the age spectrum to 3.5 tonnes.

With this in mind, Hymer has introduced new CL versions of the T-Class and B-Class which weigh under 3.5 tonnes and – with only a couple of exceptions – are less than seven metres long.



In pricing terms, while UK prices will obviously be set by the importer, in Europe there is an average difference of around 10,000 Euros (£7,100) between the upmarket SL models and the new CL versions. This is a deliberate move on Hymer’s part to tackle the mid-market.

Last year, the company sold just over 9,000 motorhomes and caravans – around six per cent fewer units than the previous year, but still saw an incremental increase in turnover.

In 2008, with a massive new 24,000 square metre assembly hall coming on stream, Hymer will be capable of building 15,000 new vehicles a year – and they all need to find customers – hence the new CL range.

All the layouts and furniture in these new models have been redesigned to reduce weight and offer the same functions and practicality – albeit within a shorter package.

In practice, this means kitchen and washroom space is compromised and Hymer designers have worked hard to create more usable worktop space to compensate.

Both inside and outside, the CL models look decidedly less opulent than their SL stablemates, but the quality is still there and they are far from stripped out.

There are nine models – two with garages and all with fixed double or single beds – in the T-CL low-profile line-up and a further 12 in the B-CL range of A-class motorhomes, including bunk bed, garage and king-sized bed layouts.

While obviously less luxurious than the SL range, the CL interiors are still extremely tasteful and well conceived – and probably more practical. The CL retains the curvy, organic lines and is illuminated by a new spotlight system.

The CL washrooms are smaller, and more functional than funky. Some models retain the separate shower but foldaway basins have been introduced to save space.

Other innovations include a new two-part table with an additional leaf which swings out to provide space for nibbles and drinkies for the occupants of the longitudinal bench seat.

This layout also benefits from Hymer’s new Easy Sleep system, which is designed to allow quick conversion of the seating group into a transverse bed.

Having tried this out in a pre-production model, we can confirm that it’s easier – but not that easy – particularly after a convivial evening around the table.

As long as the price tags don’t lose anything in translation, the CL ranges will significantly increase Hymer’s value-for-money in the UK – and maybe create a headache for domestic manufacturers in the increasingly competitive mid-price market.

Moving upmarket, the SL models get detail interior design tweaks and come with pearl grey exterior paint as standard, but are otherwise unchanged. The 2008 B-SL A-class range comprises 17 models, while the T-SL low-profile line-up offers nine.

The flagship S-Class comprises three models in 2008: the S790, S800 and S830, featuring either an L-shaped seating group, fixed transverse or longitudinal beds or twin beds.

New features incorporated as standard for 2008 include Al-Ko air suspension, bi-xenon headlights, a choice of two metallic paint finishes, Alde ‘wet’ central heating and a jet flush toilet.

The compact Hymer Van (low-profile) and Exsis-i (mini A-class) ranges get a modest facelift, with new interiors and exterior colour options.

Both ranges now share identical layouts and there’s a new layout – the 512 – featuring a transverse rear fixed bed and a seating group which converts to a second smaller bed behind the front seats.

The 512 also manages to incorporate a wardrobe within the rear garage and in the Exsis-i 512, there’s a new extendable drop-down bed which increases sleeping space to class-leading dimensions.

The other good news across the range is that Hymer is to stop charging extra for garages. Customers will in future be able to specify a garage for no additional cost on relevant vehicles.

Striking Gold Edition versions of the B514 and a brand-new T-Class – the T654 – will be built in limited numbers during Hymer’s anniversary year and are expected to prove popular with die-hard Hymer afficionadoes.

Order one now if you want to stand out from the owners club hordes.

New Models:

* T-CL range
Lighter weight and lower prices for re-specced T-Class range.

* T-CL range
Lighter weight and lower prices for re-specced T-Class range.

* B-CL range
Lighter weight and lower prices for sub-7-metre B-Class range.

* Van/Exsis-i 512
New compact fixed bed layout in low-profile or mini A-class forms, Ford-based.

* B514 SL Gold Edition
Special 50th anniversary edition of B514 with gold metallic paint and high standard spec.

* T654 SL Gold Edition
New fixed bed layout for T-Class with special anniversary gold metallic finish.

* Van/Exsis-i/SL
Interior makeover with new furnishings, fabrics and lighting.

•    This article first appeared in the September 2007 issue of Which Motorcaravan. To subscribe, click here.