Hymer’s latest concept campervan unveiled

Hymer's latest concept campervan – the VisionVenture – features unusual features such as 3D-printed body parts, infrared-reflective paint, roof and rear patio with BBQ and pneumatic pop-top roof.

Developed in collaboration with BASF, the Mercedes-Benz-based concept aims to offer a foretaste of what modern leisure vehicle travel could be like in 2025.

The original doors, headlights and radiator grille are retained from the Mercedes Sprinter, but the windscreen has been shifted further forward and the A-pillar, bonnet and rooflight have been redesigned.

The wheelarch panel and selected body parts have been produced using 3D printing techniques, giving them a robust, rubber-like quality.

The ultra-resilient paintwork uses temperature-regulating, energy-efficient Chromacool technology from BASF to reduce the surface temperature of the vehicle by 20°C and that of the interior by up to 4°C.

The roof of the VisionVenture is fitted with an inflatable pop-top roof with honeycomb outer walls nearly seven centimetres thick that provide excellent insulation and can be inflated with heated or cooled air in the space of a minute.

It is equipped with ambient lighting and can be opened at the rear to give access to the private roof patio. What’s more, the roof covering is fitted with a photovoltaic system for even greater self-sufficiency on the road.

Together with designers from Studio SYN, the VisionVenture team has come up with a new layout with numerous solutions closely geared to customer needs and inspired by the DIY conversions of a target group.

For a start, the interior has an extremely spacious feel despite the compact dimensions of a Sprinter.

The eye is drawn to the seating area under the large panoramic window in the rear.

A further highlight here is the tailgate which, once opened, turns this area into a private patio complete with pull-out electric BBQ.

The kitchen in the interior is integrated into a unique, space-saving stepped structure leading to the bedroom. The large, LED-illuminated steps are reminiscent of the staircase in a house, and provide extra interior storage space.

The integrated cupboards occupy the full depth of the steps, incorporating a yacht-style drawer refrigerator that can be easily loaded from above.

On the ground floor, novel material combinations made from high-performance BASF plastics and light, natural materials such as slate, leather, felt and even bamboo have been used.

The lamp is designed for versatile use, whether as a pendant luminaire, patio light or ceiling spotlight.

Also integrated into the living area is an office space with its own LED lighting and a magnetic pinboard that retracts almost invisibly into the wall in one simple move.

In the washroom, the side wall unfolds to allow the washbasin to be moved aside, leaving space for a shower cubicle with rain shower function.

The look of the washroom is further enhanced by using natural stone. The use of real materials in a motorhome is made possible by the BASF product, Veneo Slate, which combines a thin layer of stone with plastic, and is just 1mm thick, making it light and bendable.

In keeping with this design, the concrete floor of the living area extends into the washroom so that everything is level, without the conventional shower tray.