Westfalia Columbus 640 E high-top campervan

Relaunched for 2024, the Columbus is better than ever

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Westfalia Columbus 640 E

The Columbus is one of Westfalia’s most prestigious and long-established models. It sits above the (also Fiat-based) Amundsen but offers more choice than the Sven Hedin (based on MAN) or James Cook (on Mercedes). Here, there are four models and three lengths, from 5.41m to 6.36m. 

For 2024, however, the whole Columbus  range has been relaunched, with a new interior design, new roof lockers and a new kitchen unit. Furniture is now finished in Warm Grey with top cupboards in white with walnut slats, while the floor takes on a yacht-style plank effect.

The spec

We’ve always been fans of this model, which has to be one of the class leaders, even if it can get expensive if you tick too many options. At least the pricing has now been simplified, with the Columbus Plus Pack now included as standard and the new Premium Pack combining a selection of options for £3,550. 

So, dimmable LED interior lighting, a flyscreen door, cab blinds, leather steering wheel and front fog/cornering lights are all in the standard spec, while the Premium option adds an outside shower, heated front seats, comprehensive Winter Package and cab carpet.

The Caravan Salon Düsseldorf gave us a good opportunity to examine the new range, from which this 640 E will be the pick for many customers. 

It’s the extra-long Ducato here, with rear twin beds, and it makes a good first impression with its flush habitation (Dometic S7P) windows and large, glass overcab sunroof.

The 16in alloy wheels are surely an option that everyone will add, but the new electric pop-up roof (with roof bed) is only offered on the shorter models.

The interior

Inside, it’s a typical half-dinette lounge on paper but the walnut finish above, the generous daylight and the automotive-style trim panels around the sunroof and side window give the Columbus a premium feel. 

The removable table makes the area feel more spacious, too, but the biggest difference is Westfalia’s own rear seat with plenty of shape, a reclining backrest, Isofix and optional heating. 

As an £849 option, this bench also transforms into a bed via a spring-assisted mechanism that sees the seat tip forward and a mattress (1.77m by 0.97m) unfold from behind.

The kitchen

It’s always the little details that you remember and in the Columbus’ kitchen it’s the cutlery holder that can be accessed from inside or out (barbecue anyone?). 

More commonplace but also noteworthy are the 90-litre compressor fridge that can also be reached when dining al fresco and the well-planned storage with a trio of soft-closing drawers and a pair of pull-out wire baskets. 

Cooking may be restricted to just a two-burner hob but there’s plenty of worktop at the forward end of the galley and wall pockets cater for spices, condiments, etc.

The washroom

Opposite, the washroom shows the sort of details that only a mass-producer can achieve. With a fitted duckboard and wall-mounted showerhead, it’s a classy little room.

There’s an opening window (as well as a roof vent) and moulded pockets on the wall for toiletries (held in place with straps), while the stainless-steel corner basin sits in a wood worktop. 

The beds

At the rear, the beds are very much of his and hers sizing – 2.18m by 0.75m on the offside and a slightly petite 1.77m by 0.77m on the nearside. 

Unlike some such layouts, where twin beds are virtually a double, here they are separated (except at pillow-level), with easier access via a step. 

The mattresses are on Froli springs for top comfort but, even neater is the supersized boot area inside the back doors which can turn into full-height storage simply by hinging the end of the beds to vertical.

New stepless diesel-fired warm water heating is yet another plus point; floor heating is standard, too, even in the shower! 

Where to buy

Westfalia has four UK dealers – Campersales in West Sussex, Harbour Creek in Hampshire (Jules Verne and Kepler models only), Roseisle in Edinburgh and Wandahome in East Yorkshire.

In Ireland, Westfalia is represented by Anchor Point in Co Tipperary.