The Erwin Hymer Group is now expanding its commitment to compact California-style camper vans, setting up a new, independent brand, Crosscamp. This also increases Toyota in this country increasingly in the camper business.
Dethleffs, Bürstner, Carado, Sunlight, Niesmann and a handful of other motorhome manufacturers make the Erwin Hymer Group, including the in-house brand, the largest caravaning group in Europe. Nevertheless, the company was previously unrepresented in the class of compact camper vans dominated by VW California. That should change. From the beginning of April, the Swabians from Bad Waldsee will be launching a new brand, Crosscamp, which serves the steadily growing market for multifunctional camper vans. The almost five meter long Crosscamp is based on the Toyota Proace Verso Family and is of course offered at prices starting from 42.990 Euro much cheaper than the VW bestseller.
The Hymer Group, which closed a joint venture in China last year and has become the world's largest manufacturer of recreational vehicles through its merger with US manufacturer Thor Industries, is continuing its expansion activities on home territory. It closes a gap in its multi-brand corporation, the business with the popular all-purpose vehicles underneath the expanded van has largely bypassed the company.
The fully equipped 4,95 Meter Crosscamp is designed to satisfy the needs of outdoor adventurers, who value more flexibility and multi-functionality than the convenience of bulky motorhomes. On the other hand, he should also be able to be used as a reliable companion in everyday urban life, whether in large purchases or relocation. Especially important: With a height of only 1,99 meters, the Crosscamp also has car parks and underground garages.
Even if the offer within the corporate portfolio is still so new, the Swabians are only cleverly using the synergies in their own group. As the home of Crosscamp, the Hymer Group announces the "Competence Center for Camper Vans" in Isny im Allgäu. Behind this is basically nothing else than the traditional manufacturer Dethleffs, who already produces the model Campster based on a Citroen Spacetourer. However, in a foreign contract for the company Pössl, which thus landed a real bestseller. Crosscamp uses as the basis of the identical Toyota Proace, the interior design is in the main points in line with the Pössl architecture.
So the division with the two rotatable front seats, which can be arranged with the movable center seat to a four-seat group, and the side kitchen while largely classical. The trick here is: The complete kitchen block with two-burner stove and sink can be like the Campster on the standard second sliding door on the left side completely remove and use as an outdoor kitchen. All you have to do is loosen two knurled screws and disconnect the electrical connectors. The balancing is only a case for two. An 2,8 kilo propane cylinder delivers the gas for cooking. Tanks for each 10 liters of fresh and waste water are also in the kitchen block.
Practically, the expansion variant is also when the Crosscamp is to be used as a transporter for extensive purchases, for example, in Swedish furniture stores. With the center seat (including Isofix attachments), another standard and an optional single seat in the third row, various configurations can be realized up to the seven-seater.
For sleeping, two Crosscamp inmates climb the 1,20 meter wide and two meter long double bed under the manually operated pitch roof. For two other passengers, the middle seat can be converted into another, but narrower double bed. Stargazers can also enjoy a real open-air feeling under the sky under the roof, as the entire front section can be opened with a zipper.
In the basic version for 42.990 Euro, the Crosscamp-built Toyota Proace Verso Family will be delivered with the 88 kW / 120 PS strong 1,5-liter four-cylinder diesel and a manual six-speed gearbox. Optionally, however, the larger 2,0-liter diesel in two power levels with 110 kW / 150 PS (2.249 Euro surcharge) or 130 kW / 180 PS available (6.499 Euro). The latter is combined as standard with 8 step automatic converter. All engines are equipped with automatic start-stop system, meet the emission standard Euro 6d-temp with SCR exhaust gas purification and are therefore immune from possible driving bans.
The Erwin Hymer Group not only introduces a new brand, Crosscamp, but also opens up new distribution channels. Because the all-purpose camper is starting 6. Not only can it be made available to selected group partners, but it can also be seen and ordered from many Toyota Dealers in the showroom. In this way, the Japanese manufacturer is now increasingly involved in the basic vehicles in this country, which has long been the case in distant, motorhome-strong export markets such as Australia or New Zealand.