Weinsberg X-Cursion Van 500 LT low-profile motorhome

VW T6.1 fans can now enjoy more space and a proper washroom in this new motorhome from Weinsberg

The Weinsberg X-Cursion Van 500 LT motorhome

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

There are plenty of VW California owners (and indeed those with other Volkswagen campervans) who look to move up to a bigger motorhome, often to have an on-board shower and toilet. Usually, that has meant moving away from the Transporter base vehicle, too, but not any more. 

Both Weinsberg and sister brand, Knaus, introduced T6.1-based coachbuilts for the 2023 season and each marque offers a choice of layout. The X-Cursion Van 500 MQ has the fixed rear bed floorplan that you’d expect from a continental marque but this 500 LT model is wholly different – and almost looks as if it was designed with the UK market in mind. 

Like its sister motorhome, it is under 6m in length and only 2.16m wide (slim for a coachbuilt motorhome). That’s still quite a bit bigger than a T6.1 camper (and taller, too, of course), but it’s very comparable with the smallest conversions of VW’s larger panel van, the Crafter. 

The exterior

Externally, it’s a low-profile motorhome with a generous overcab sunroof, running board-style steps for the front doors and an unusual duo-tone finish for the Transporter cab. The rear overhang doesn’t look excessive but the back wheels are inset in their arches. 

There’s no garage in a conventional sense but a tall locker door at the rear nearside opens onto a vertical storage space that’s 2.28m high, and 62cm by 88cm. It also comes with a folding shelf, hanging rail and internal access. 

The interior

Entry to the actual living area is also to the rear, but on the UK offside. As you come in, there’s barely any furniture on the rear wall – just a window, some shelves and coat hooks. The ‘vertical garage’ is ahead of you, followed by the washroom on the nearside, with the galley running forward of the doorway on the offside.

The kitchen

The kitchen includes a 98-litre compressor fridge that can be reached from outside, if you lean in through the door. The counter is inset with a combined two-burner hob and sink unit, much as you’d see in a VW campervan; there’s no oven or grill.

The washroom

Where the X-Cursion Van differs massively from a California is the washroom. This is a proper walk-in compartment behind a sliding door and it features similar facilities to some much larger motorhomes. There’s a Dometic cassette toilet, a corner basin, tall mirror and cupboard with upstands to keep its contents in place.

Then, the washbasin swings to the left to create a decent-sized shower cubicle without recourse to a curtain; it’s just a pity that the wheelarch intrudes so much into the area. Alongside the washroom there’s also a good-sized wardrobe.

The lounge

Forward of the kitchen and ablutions, the floor steps down into the lounge where you’ll find that UK favourite of two side settees. These do not convert into travel seats, so this is a purely two-person motorhome but a couple will have plenty of room to unwind, not least because both cab seats swivel. 

The sofas are each 1.40m long – enough for feet-up relaxation – and they’re at a comfortable height. For dining, there’s a fixed table with a drop leaf to one side.

The bed

You might expect the lounge to also form the bed and that’s the standard configuration but this show model had the optional (£1,867) Easy Move bed, which pulls out on rails from over the cab. 

This lengthways double measures 2.00m long and 1.46m wide and lives up to its title in being super-simple to operate. There’s even (just about) room to sit underneath it, although we’d recommend you make sure you’re happy with the access (via a ladder) and headroom in the bed itself. 

Summary

A really novel addition to the market, this Weinsberg also competes head-on with smaller VWs on price – under £80k as shown with the 148bhp engine and DSG gearbox.

Where to buy

Weinsberg has 15 motorhome dealers in the UK, including Camperco in Scotland, Bunk Campers in Northern Ireland and Tenby Tourers in Wales.

In England, dealers stretch from Adventure Leisure Vehicles in Cumbria down to Alan Kerr in Devon. 

Other outlets include Preston Caravans and Motorhomes, Premium, SMC, Don Amott, Nick Whale, Blackmore Vale, Webbs and Davan.