Dethleffs Globebus Performance 4x4 low-profile motorhome

The first all-wheel drive motorhome from this German marque

The Dethleffs Globebus Performance 4x4 motorhome

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

Not to be left out of the 4x4 party, Dethleffs showed a production-ready prototype of its Globebus Performance at this year’s Caravan Salon. 

Not another Mercedes, nor even a van conversion, the Dethleffs is a low-profile motorhome based on the VW Crafter. 

The unwashed, mud-splattered motorhome set the scene of an Austrian farmyard with its fencing, pine trees and bark chips. 

But this is less of an overlander and more of a standard motorhome that won’t get stuck when the going gets slippery. 

Dethleffs says it is “the perfect travel companion for camping enthusiasts who occasionally venture off the beaten track or tackle snowy inclines.” 

The spec

It has raised suspension and black 18in alloys shod with off-road tyres to go with VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive but the long rear overhang will be a real limiting factor if you get too ambitious away from the Tarmac.

The Crafter base vehicle is powered by a 163hp diesel motor with eight-speed automatic transmission. 

It is also upgraded with a differential lock, reinforced front axle (rated at 2,100kg) and rear air suspension, so farm tracks and ski trips should be well within its capabilities. 

Under the mud (real mud!) on the show vehicle, there was a smart silver/grey duo-tone paint scheme for cab and habitation bodywork. 

A front bull bar is fitted and a light bar on the overcab, just in front of the opening sunroof. 

At the rear a folding ladder in matt black provides access to the matching roof rack, while a rail on the offside allows you to hang accessories while parked up.

The self-sufficiency

While it might look like a fairly standard motorhome that’s been to the gym to toughen up, the Globebus Performance is more than that as it has been designed to be better suited to the off-grid lifestyle. 

Dethleffs says its new motorhome is equipped for “total self-sufficiency” and points to reduced reliance on gas for the habitation area. 

It therefore uses diesel for the heating and continuous hot water system, while the 131-litre fridge is a compressor model (so electric only).

The only gas appliance is the two-burner hob, served by a 2.8kg cylinder stored in the galley.

That frees up more storage elsewhere as there’s no need for the usual large external gas compartment. 

On the electric side, Dethleffs has fitted one AGM battery and six lithium-ion batteries for a combined 263Ah. 

A Grünbeck water filtration system caters for safe drinking water wherever your travels take you and the waterless Clesana C1 toilet gives perhaps the greatest extra off-grid potential as you won’t be reliant on finding chemical disposal points every couple of days.

Internet

Some may want to escape the rat race completely, but, if you’re desperate to stay in touch with social media, etc, Dethleffs has equipped the Globebus Performance with the Camper Net G5 internet gear. 

This offers excellent reception anywhere and download speeds of up to 20 gigabits per second. Don’t tell the teenagers! 

Maybe that won’t be an issue as, although a third berth is possible, this is primarily a couples’ motorhome.

The layout 

It has a half-dinette front lounge and rear single beds over the garage, but external dimensions have been kept reasonably compact. 

Length is usefully under 7m and width is around 15cm less than a standard-sized coachbuilt.

Naturally, a motorhome like this has a large garage and its chequerplate flooring is a practical addition, but inside, it’s a touch disappointing how standard it all looks. 

The kitchen and washroom are exactly like any other Dethleffs. 

In Germany, the Globebus Performance went on sale as a comprehensively spec’d First Edition in September but it’s not yet clear when we’ll see this 4x4 motorhome in the UK.

Where to buy

Dethleffs has 12 dealers around the UK, including BC Motorhomes in Scotland and 3A’s Leisure in Wales.

In England, Bardsea Leisure in Ulverston is the furthest north, and Highbridge Caravan Centre and Southwest Motorhomes cover, err, the southwest. 

Other long-standing Dethleffs retailers include Lowdhams in Nottingham and Pullingers in Essex.

The first all-wheel drive motorhome from Dethleffs matches a hugely popular twin bed layout in a low-profile coachbuilt with the added benefits of a huge specification and all-wheel drive.