Author: Jack Evans

Camper vans are getting increasingly popular as they offer your very own moving mobile home.

Ever since Volkswagen set the trend back in 1949 with the original Volkswagen Type 1 Camper Van, the market has grown and grown for mobile homes on wheels.

As we approach summer, it’s not hard to see why they mean big business here in the UK. They offer the practicality of a van, with the added benefit of being your very own miniature home and holiday destination.

Beds, kitchens, cookers and gazebos can be fitted as standard or as optional extras, which makes them a very attractive proposition for those wanting to travel around Europe or in the UK.

After the original camper van was launched, there have been many iterations and attempts by other car manufacturers over the years and now there are examples out there that are like mini-hotels on wheels.

Here is our list of some of the very best camper vans currently on sale in the UK today.

Mercedes Marco Polo

The Mercedes Marco Polo is essentially a V-Class decked out to be your own little home from home.

The driving experience feels more like a car than a van and the dashboard is taken straight from the normal V-Class meaning that there is a nice blend of soft-touch materials and leather.

Inside, the Marco Polo comes with plenty of camping equipment and features that will fit your holiday requirements such as two beds, a wooden floor style decking, ambient lighting, cupboard style draws and an optional side awning.

However, the Marco Polo is rather expensive to buy starting at £51,550, while the interior may be packed full of storage features, it’s still not as practical as rivals from Volkswagen.

Volkswagen California

The California is commonly seen as the benchmark when it comes to camper vans. There is a larger variant called the Grand California, but with a rather hefty starting price of £82,000 – the smaller version looks like a better deal.

The standard California is based on the very popular Transporter van which means you get all the Volkswagen’s familiar switchgear and lofty driving position.

Inside, the California has rotating and swivel passenger seats that can be adjusted 180 degrees. If you go for a Beach model, you get a fold-out kitchen with a single gas hob, too.

Higher specced Coast and Ocean models come with all the camping equipment you’ll ever need including both getting full kitchens with twin gas hobs, a sink with fresh and waste water tanks and a fridge.

The top-of-the-line Ocean model gets an electric roof that is operated with a control panel, and a fold-out awning is an option on the base Beach model, but standard on higher spec versions.

A 230V socket which allows you to hook up to the mains comes as standard with all California models.

Ford Transit Custom Nugget

The Ford Transit is a motoring success here in the UK, and now you can have one for your camping trip away.

The Transit Custom Nugget may have an odd name but, behind the rather anonymous exterior lies a bench seat that can fold flat to make a double bed and a roof that tilts up to reveal another double bed, however, the roof unlike the California and Marco Polo is manually operated.

The ground floor houses a kitchen, a hob, a sink and a fridge and there are plenty of cupboards and drawers to stow things away.

There is a table between the rear seats, too. However, all of this is spoiled by the Transit’s driving experience which gives a harsh ride and numb handling, which isn’t the end of the world, but the Mercedes Marco Polo does offer a sharper driving experience.

Volkswagen Caddy California

The baby sibling compared to the more mature California and larger Grand California is the Caddy California.

The Caddy California starts from £35,600 which sounds like great value for money. It’s also available with petrol or diesel power and unlike the rest on our list, feels more like a car to drive thanks to its lower centre of gravity and ride height.

Inside the Caddy, there is a logically laid out dashboard with decent-quality materials used throughout.

Further back, drop the second row of seats and you’ll find lurking beneath them a fold-out bed big enough for a pair of two adults to sleep in as well as a mini-kitchen – which is located in the boot.

Also, there is a single-burner cooker with an integrated gas bottle and there is even a custom made bag designed to carry two fold-out chairs and a table.

Toyota Proace Matino Campervan

The Toyota Proace Matino is based on the Proace Verso minivan, with the added benefit of side graphics and an extending roof for a bed.

The Matino’s interior layout is simple and easy to use, if not a little cheap feeling to the touch, and the front seats rotate 180 degrees, too.

The rear bench seats can slide and adjust to make a double bed and you get the option of a secondary bed by raising the roof. The problem is, unlike the Mercedes Marco Polo and Volkswagen California, everything in the Matino is operated manually instead of electrically.

There is a kitchen with twin gas hobs and a sink with fresh and waste water tanks. A fridge is also present and located in one of the larger cupboards you get a toilet cassette – but unfortunately does take up a lot of space.

By Cameron Richards

The late F1 legend helped develop Honda’s supercar back in 1990.

Three-time Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna’s personal Honda NSX is up for grabs.

Senna is considered to be one of the greatest racing drivers of all time with him winning a total of 41 Formula One races throughout the 80s and 90s. He was tragically killed on May 1, 1994 at the Italian Grand Prix.

The Japanese supercar can be found on AutoTrader’s website, with the listing consisting of 41 images and a video of the vehicle.

The NSX was co-developed with the Brazilian racing driver back in 1989, so it’s no wonder that Senna’s very personal one would be fetching as much as £500,000.

The vehicle was registered in 1991 and currently only has 39,100 miles on the clock.

The current owner, Robert McFagan, said: “I first bought the car in 2013 during a trip to the Algarve in Portugal, and have owned it ever since where it has sat proudly at my estate in East Sussex.”

He added: “Senna’s red NSX was given to him by Honda who he had a commercial partnership with, and Senna frequently used it and was photographed with the car during his stays in Portugal.”

The NSX was also featured in the Senna film ‘Racing Is In My Blood’, which was released in 1992.

The full listing can be found on the AutoTrader website, with the car being sold by the current owner Robert McFagan.

By Cameron Richards

The new SUV will be available with a selection of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains.

Vauxhall has taken the covers off its next generation Grandland SUV offering electrified power throughout its range.

The electric version of the new Grandland will be the first Vauxhall to use parent company Stellantis’s new medium BEV platform. There will be two battery packs on offer. The smaller 73kWh will come with the option of a 316bhp dual-motor drivetrain with further details yet to be announced. The larger 98kWh battery pack has a claimed electric driving range of 435 miles and can be rapid-charged from zero to 80 per cent in 26 minutes.

Vauxhall is also offering mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, with the former using a 138bhp 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 28bhp electric motor, and the latter offering a pure electric range of up to 53 miles.

The Grandland is 173mm longer, 19mm higher and 64mm wider than its predecessor, and has a number of new exterior features, including an illuminated Griffin badge and new LED Matrix headlights that feature over 50,000 LEDs. A bold looking horizontal light bar that features illuminated ‘Vauxhall’ lettering also features.

GLOBAL DEBUT: All-New Vauxhall Grandland. New BEV-native platform, new design, class-leading tech, EV range of up to c.435miles. Info: https://t.co/4VInTYkEXz pic.twitter.com/bowyf3vLcp

— Vauxhall PR (@VauxhallPR) April 23, 2024

On the inside, the Grandland continues similar design themes already seen on the Vauxhall Mokka and Corsa with a minimalist look. New features for the Grandland include a 16-inch touchscreen and something Vauxhall is calling the Pixel Box – a neat smartphone charger that hides the phone while driving in order to prevent distracting the driver. Boot room, meanwhile, stands at 1,641 litres with the seats down and 550 with them up – 36 more litres than before .

James Taylor, managing director of Vauxhall said: “The all-new Grandland is a milestone for Vauxhall. With it, every Vauxhall model will be available with the choice of a fully electric powertrain – a decade ahead of the UK government requirements.

He also added: “The new Grandland will therefore strengthen our position in the important family crossover segment.”

Order books for the new Grandland open in July and will arrive in showrooms in the Autumn, with prices yet to be announced.

By Cameron Richards

Goodwood might be one of the UK’s best-known motoring hotspots, hosting key events such as the Festival of Speed and Revival each year. Both occasions are rooted in driving and racing, celebrating all things motorised at the West Sussex estate.

However, Goodwoof – which is Goodwood’s latest dog-themed event – is also attracting the interest of some of the motoring world’s top designers.

Marek Reichman, chief creative officer for Aston Martin, has created a unique kennel concept for dogs which draws inspiration from some of the British luxury carmaker’s designs.

Dubbed ‘DBK-9’ in reference to Aston Martin’s range of sports cars, the bag-like kennel allows for either handheld or shoulder use and, when folded out, provides a quality hang-out for pets to shelter from the sun. It’s even got a quilted leather base – just like the seats in Aston Martin’s DB12 – while brass elements on the pivot function add an extra finish.

Then, when your dog has finished relaxing, the design means it can easily be collapsed and carried away – or even stowed in the boot of a car.

It’s one of 14 shortlisted designs for Goodwoof’s ‘Barkitecture’ kennel competition, with all entries shaped around the headline theme ‘Lounge Access: For the Jet-Setting Dog’. Last year’s competition saw Gianna Botsford Architects awarded top-dog status, with the competition raising a total of £26,050 for charity partner Pets As Therapy.

As with 2023’s competition, a winner will be selected by designer Kevin McCloud MBE and The Duke of Richmond.

Goodwoof will take place from Saturday 18 May until Sunday 19 May. Tickets are still available online.

The supermini and small crossover get updated engines and improved equipment levels.

Skoda has updated its Fabia and Karoq line-up with new equipment levels and revised engines.

The Fabia is Skoda’s smallest model and shares its underpinnings with the Volkswagen Polo and Seat Ibiza. It’ll now be available in one of four guises with SE Comfort, Colour Edition, SE L and Monte Carlo all there for customers to choose from.

SE Comfort comes with an eight-inch digital display, an 8.25-inch infotainment screen, front centre armrest and front and rear speakers.

The Colour Edition adds cruise control with a speed limiter and electric rear windows while SE L boasts a 10.25-inch virtual cockpit, privacy glass and LED rear taillights. The top-of-the-range Monte Carlo features a larger 8.25-inch infotainment display and updated interior inserts.

Engines for the Fabia consist of a new 1.0-litre TSi engine that produces 114bhp and is available with either a six-speed manual or an optional seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

The Karoq is Skoda’s rival to the Nissan Qashqai and the updated line-up includes three different trim levels consisting of SE Drive, SE L and Sportline.

The entry-level SE Drive comes with a 10.25-inch virtual cockpit and wireless smartphone charging.

The SE L adds a new 18-inch alloy wheel design with the tip-top Sportline variant adding two tablet holders and a front passenger Isofix child seat anchor point.

The engine choices in the updated Karoq remain the same as before with four petrol engines and one diesel unit.

The 1.0-litre TSi unit has been updated with a 6bhp increase bringing total power output to 114bhp.

Prices for the new Fabia start at £19,730 for the basic 1.0-litre SE Comfort and rise to £22,965 for the Monte Carlo. Karoq prices start at £28,380 for the 1.0-litre TSi SE Drive and rise to £35,130 for the flagship Sportline model.

Both updated versions of the Fabia and Karoq are available to order now with deliveries expected later this year.

By Cameron Richards

New flagship model for the performance German Coupe gets a 4.0-litre V8 with a hybrid powertrain.

Mercedes has revealed the GT 63 S Coupe which will be the fastest accelerating AMG series model yet.

Under the bonnet is a 4.0-litre biturbo engine mated to an electric motor that will produce 804bhp and 1,420Nm of torque, enabling a 0-60mph time of 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 198mph.

The electric motor is positioned at the rear axle, and produces the equivalent of 201bhp alone, while it has an electrically switched two-speed transmission.

The GT 63 comes as standard with a limited-slip differential and Mercedes’ 4Matic+ four-wheel-drive system to give the best traction.

The 6.1kWh battery pack on-board enables a claimed electric driving range of up to 8 miles.

There are eight different AMG driving programmes including ‘Electric’, ‘Battery Hold’, ‘Comfort’, ‘Slippery’, ‘Sport’, ‘Sport+’, ‘Race’ and ‘Individual’.

The GT 63 S E Performance is also equipped with active rear-axle steering as standard. Depending on the speed, the rear wheels can steer in the opposite direction to the fronts when travelling up to 62mph or in the same direction at speeds over 62mph. It helps to make the car more agile at slower speeds but still controlled at higher ones.

Word’s out: The most advanced AMG GT to date is here. Say hello to the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE!#MercedesAMG #GT63 pic.twitter.com/SCuEgfnlao

— Mercedes-Benz (@MercedesBenz) April 20, 2024

High-performance ceramic brake discs with six-piston fixed calipers at the front and one-piston calipers at the rear all help the GT 63 improve stopping power.

On the exterior, there are grooved twinned trapezoidal tailpipes, 21-inch alloy wheels and an integrated charging flap.

Inside, there are AMG sports seats available in a variety of patterns and trim designs including one and two-tone Nappa leather or leather with diamond quilting.

Mercedes hasn’t revealed prices for the GT 63 S E Performance yet but the standard GT63’s starting price of £165,000 means that the E Performance could creep closer towards the £200,000 mark.

By Cameron Richards

One in two drivers think that the rise in fuel costs is one of the biggest challenges over the next 12 months.

Rising car insurance and hikes in the cost of fuel have topped a list of motorist concerns, a new study has found.

A total of 2,000 drivers were included in a survey conducted by Close Brothers Motor Finance which found that 53 per cent think rising fuel prices are the most challenging issue, while 52 per cent cited insurance hikes instead – an increase of 34 per cent compared to last year.

The research also found that one in ten drivers are having to ask people to contribute towards petrol when giving them a lift and 39 per cent have had to cut back on how often they drive their car – which is a 27 per cent increase compared to last year.

Lisa Watson, Director of Sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance said: “The ongoing hike at the pumps will add further pressure to drivers who already feel they’re faced with increased costs from all lanes, making car ownership difficult to afford.

She then added: “Consumers all over the country are looking at ways to tackle rising costs. With day to day living costs soaring, high interest rates, and the increasing prices at petrol pumps – many are now having to explore other measures to stretch their finances further – including charging loved ones for fuel when giving them a lift.”

Other cost issues found that 37 per cent of drivers were concerned about the price increase in servicing and MOTs, 30 per cent at the cost of purchasing a new car and another 30 per cent at the inflation in road tax.

By Cameron Richards

Aston Martin remains committed to physical controls in its cars following customer feedback, one of the firm’s development bosses has stated.

Neil Hughes, head of product management at Aston Martin, told the PA news agency that it was ‘hard to put craftsmanship on a touchscreen’ and that he thought the car industry had reached ‘peak touchscreen’.

“I think we’re off the peak of that, and some lessons have been learned across the industry that customers want a choice of both, and you can go too far with one.

“It’s very hard to put craftsmanship on a touchscreen, whereas a luxury brand like us, we want to show detailing.”

Hughes was speaking at a preview event for the new DBX707. Acting as Aston Martin’s flagship performance SUV, the DBX707 has been upgraded with a new touchscreen and driver display but, crucially, a large number of physical controls for some of the car’s features.

It shuns a trend which has seen many car manufacturers adopt a screen-centric approach with many firms housing all of a car’s key settings and controls within the main touchscreen.

The DBX707 retains key ‘hard controls’ for systems such as the driving modes, suspension, exhaust and heating and ventilation adjustment.

“You can familiarise yourself with it, you can have the muscle memory, you know where they are”, added Hughes.

“You’re not fumbling around looking for touch buttons for those items. You want ready access on a day-to-day basis without having to figure out through sub-menus on the main display.”

Both SUV and Coupe models will get revised styling, suspension, engine and gearbox.

Porsche has revealed an updated version of the Cayenne GTS and Coupe with revised suspension, engines and styling.

Under the bonnet, both cars get a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with increased power and torque figures of 493bhp and 660Nm. Porsche claims 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds, too, alongside a top speed of 171mph.

The transmission has also been revised and comes as standard with an eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic gearbox.

On the exterior, there are now bigger cooling air intakes at the front, black GTS badging on the rear and sides of the car, dark-tinted headlights and taillights and red brake callipers.

There are standard 21-inch alloy wheels that are finished in anthracite grey, as well as side skirts, front inlays, wheel arch extensions while the tailpipes now have a bronze finish.

Head inside and you’re greeted with a heated sports steering wheel, eight-way adjustable sport front seats and there is suede with fabric headliner, armrest and door panels.

The new GTS also boasts Porsche’s new curved digital instrument cluster and has the option of a passenger display, too.

The Coupe version also benefits from a glass panoramic sunroof fitted as standard and has an adaptive extending rear spoiler.

Both models of the Cayenne GTS and Coupe are available to order now with expected deliveries for the UK and mainland Europe in summer 2024.

By Cameron Richards