At least since the corona pandemic and travel restrictions, the Swiss have found themselves vacations in campers. High demand, as well as existing delivery problems during Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, mean that delivery times are long. For some models, you have to wait 18 months or longer. But automakers also reacted: Renault, for example, went into the camper business from scratch, and VW launched its first mini-van, the Caddy California. Rival Mercedes is now doing the same.
Because the Mercedes EQT should also be offered as a travel version called Marco Polo. It’s still a concept study, but the Mercedes van section seems to have been launched. Unlike the best-selling Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo, the EQT is fully electric with 122 hp (90 kW) at the front axle. Thanks to its net capacity of 45 kilowatt-hours (kWh), it can travel up to 280 kilometers with a single battery charge and can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in 40 minutes with a maximum charging capacity of 80 kilowatts (kW).
The sun provides electricity
The long-wheelbase, high-roof station wagon with a raised tent roof, built-in galley and numerous accessories has been upgraded to a mini camper van. The supplier Brabus from Bocholt (D) is taking care of this: the bagel usually produces Smart and Mercedes models with more horsepower and oil rims, but now also expands the EQT. The bed is 97 centimeters wide at the top and 1.15 meters wide at the bottom – two people can easily fit three people with a little goodwill. Cool: The sunroof lifts up at the rear end, providing headroom there. The sink, induction cooker and refrigerator are hidden behind the driver’s seat, while the left rear seat has a pull-out gas hob. And the table is electrically folded from the back right of the cabinet. What can be accommodated in the crazy car.
Photovoltaics provide electricity instead of curtains in the roof, the rear windows are dimmed electro-chromatically at the push of a button, and there should also be an openable awning when mass production begins. In addition, the EQT is suitable for everyday use: at less than two meters high it fits in most parking garages, and camper setups can supposedly be removed in a few minutes by two people if you have space to store furniture. In the second half of the year, it starts with prices that are not yet known.
And who likes simpler and cheaper? There’s also a budget camping package for the regular T-Class with a short-wheelbase and internal combustion engine: then there’s a removable living module at the rear with an upper lying surface and a stove, similar to VW’s Caddy California. compartment and storage with drawers at the bottom.