Xplore CV X8 high-top campervan

A bold new brand of campervan for adventurous types

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Xplore CV X8

One the surprises of October 2023’s Motorhome & Caravan Show at Birmingham’s NEC was also the  very first campervan under the Xplore brand, part of Erwin Hymer Group UK. Up until now, this has been a purely touring caravan marque but it’s certainly out to make its mark with its first motorised unit, the CV X8. 

Although inside it’s clear to see that this new model takes much of its design from the well-established Elddis Autoquest CV80 (note the related naming, too), there’s an equally obvious mission here to attract a new type of customer. “Designed for adventurers” is how the marketing folk put it.

The exterior

So, while this is yet another six-metre Fiat Ducato panel van conversion, it won’t be hard to spot on a campsite surrounded by ‘white boxes’. 

Or maybe, you won’t see it on campsites at all; those black 16in alloy wheels are wrapped with BFGoodrich All-Terrain tyres for a bit of minor off-roading. 

The CV X8 is still front, rather than all-wheel drive, but there’s more than a hint of 4x4 about the looks.

A ‘black stealth aesthetic’ Xplore calls it and it comes with a black grille and matching headlamp ‘eyebrows’, as well as 15mm wheelarch flares and mudflaps. 

The dramatic contour line graphics and wind deflectors on the cab windows complete the standard external kit, along with the same German pop-top as is fitted by Elddis. 

The options

For the full adventure look, though, you’ll need to invest in the Back Rack plus All-In Kit – a pricey accessory, at £3,676, but built to Teutonic standards, coming from Hymer. 

It includes a frame to support two cycles, carried vertically but with a clever mechanism to swing them down for easy loading. 

There’s a spare wheel holder and folding shelf, too, plus a slide-out light bar and number plate holder to keep things legal. 

Not included are the extra alloy wheel and Yeti storage box shown in our images Production of the first Xplore campervans begins this summer, based on the 140hp manual Fiat Ducato (or an automatic for £2,895 more). 

The spec

Standard spec includes cruise control, air-conditioning, automatic lights and wipers, a leather steering wheel and a 7in touchscreen with DAB radio, Bluetooth and reversing camera. A 10in screen with sat-nav is an optional upgrade, as are cab blinds.

The interior

Slide back the side door, or indeed open the rear barn doors, and you’ll find the same interior layout here as in the Autoquest CV80 – after all, it makes sense for Xplore’s first model to use a proven and popular design. 

So, there’s a half-dinette up front incorporating two rear travel seats featuring Isofix, a central washroom and galley, and a rear lounge. 

However, the look here is completely different, from the contour pattern on the ActivCare upholstery to the Tibero & Grey cabinetry with Porcelain White worktops and the Concrete Tile flooring. 

Then the black theme of the exterior is picked up by internal fittings such as the cupboard handles, reading lights and the kitchen tap. There’s a new deeper sink, while familiar features include the Thetford Triplex cooker with combined oven and grill and the 84-litre compressor fridge mounted conveniently at waist height. 

At the back, the second lounge might be a surprise in a vehicle that’s so targeted at sporty owners but family buyers will appreciate the two seating zones when the weather keeps the kids indoors. 

The beds

Xplore is promising additional layouts for the 2025 season, which are sure to include fixed bed/garage formats, possibly with an electric raising rear bed. In the meantime, this lounge converts into a 1.84m by 1.35m double bed, while the roof bed is larger (2.10m by 1.44m) and benefits from a  slatted base.

Unusually, the Erwin Hymer pop-top also features a Midi Heki rooflight, so there’s extra daylight up front even with the roof lowered.

Where to buy

Xplore has its own, separate dealer network (rather than simply piggybacking the Elddis network), with 15 outlets around the UK. 

In Scotland, you’ll be able to buy an Xplore from Kirkcaldy Caravans, in Wales head to Ennis Caravans and, in Northern Ireland, go to LPC Caravans (Co Down) or Cookstown Caravans (Co Tyrone). 

In England, Xplore retailers range from Leisure World Group and Adventure Leisure Vehicles in the north to Wiltshire Caravans in the south.