By William Coleman
Over the next week exhibitors from all over Europe will be displaying their new caravans, motorhomes, campers, technology and other innovations at the Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf. One such display that has come to our attention is the brand new Dethleffs model.
This new leisure vehicle marks the third great achievement for Dethleffs. First they released the e.home, the e.home Coco and now their brand new Globevan e.Hybrid – First motorhome with plug-in hybrid capability suitable for being manufactured in volume production – Company underscores its leading role in electromobility in the caravanning industry. To view the photo gallery Click Here.
This release marks the third year in a row that the German leisure vehicle manufacturer has presented an entirely new in the field of electromobility.
At this year’s Caravan Salon Dethleffs will be presenting the first ever production ready motorhome, something the world really does need, with plug-in hybrid. This new trailblazer is an exciting introduction to the ever changing caravan and motorhome world.
“As a friend of the family, we also keep future generations in mind and therefore concern ourselves intensively with the topic of sustainability in our industry,” explains Dethleffs Managing Director Alexander Leopold.
“Preservation of the natural environment is one of our most utmost goals, because caravanning and experiencing nature go hand in hand. For this reason we have been working for many years on electromobility, which will be one of the keys to this”, Leopold says with confidence.
“We want to do pioneering work with our initiatives and are committed to establishing electromobility in caravanning.” The Globevan e.Hybrid, which Dethleffs is presenting for the first time at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, is the first production-ready implementation.
The basis of the Globevan e.Hybrid is a Ford Transit Custom with drive axles whose propulsion is purely electrical. The rechargeable battery installed in the vehicle provides a range of up to 50 km of purely electrical operation. The Globevan also offers a greater range overall, of course. This is achieved with the built-in “Range Extender”, a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine that serves exclusively as a generator for charging the battery.
This combination offers the advantage that the Globevan, which is suitable for everyday use, can be driven in cities just using electricity. Any city-centre prohibitions on vehicles that emit pollutants from therefore do not apply to this hybrid. At the same time, braking and stepping off the gas can generate energy through recuperation, enabling driving that is particularly energy-efficient and associated with low fuel consumption. The combustion engine always runs in the optimum speed range with maximum torque and supplies the rechargeable battery with power, which in turn supplies the electric motor with power, giving the Globevan a maximum total range of 500 km.
The batteries can be recharged in under 5.5 hours from an ordinary household socket or within 3 hours from a fast-charging socket. The total output of the combination of electric motor and combustion engine is 92 kW (126 hp).
The pop-up roof conceals a 190 by 110 cm bed with a comfortable mattress and plate suspension. Windows with mosquito screens for ventilation and enjoying the view also provide plenty of fresh air while you sleep. In the kitchen unit with two-burner hob and sink as well as a 16-litre compressor cooler, you can not only conjure up a delicious breakfast but also stow or refrigerate fresh ingredients and drinks.
Since the gas bottle, freshwater tank and wastewater tank are not located in the kitchen unit, the small kitchen is able to feature a practical drawer and plenty of storage space. You can enjoy a meal at the table, which is easily attached to the kitchen unit when required or practically attached to the rear storage compartment when it is not in use.
Thanks to the standard rotating driver and passenger seats, four people can also sit on them in comfort. Additional storage space for holiday utensils is available in the overhead locker or in the compartments in the rear furniture unit.
You only need to turn the two-seat bench to convert it into an additional 190 by 90 cm bed. The bench can be adjusted lengthwise and can also be removed completely if more extensive transport tasks need to be completed.
The floor of the Globevan is a rigid, insulated sandwich floor with an attractive PVC coating in a dark wood look. In combination with the silver-grey furniture look with anthracite-coloured contrasts, the result is a fresh, modern interior that is well illuminated as required by LED light strips located under the roof.
Windows in the kitchen area, the sliding door and the rear provide for ample fresh air in the vehicle. The Globevan is powered by its own on-board battery, allowing it to be used off-grid for a few days.
