What Which Motorcaravan has to say about the autumn release of the all new Hymer Car

"The Hymer Car name has long been associated with the brand’s van conversions.  There was an elevating roof Ford Transit-based Hymercar in the 1970s and a high-top conversion re-used the name on both of the first two generations of the Fiat Ducato.  However, with the introduction of the first Exsis, Hymer seemed to be moving away from the conventional van conversions.  Now, Hymer Car is back – and for the first time it’s coming to the UK.

The new Hymer Car is, unsurprisingly, based on the long-wheelbase Fiat Ducato van and features a fixed bed layout similar to the Adria Twin.  In Europe this is by far the most popular floor plan for a large van conversion and designs of this ilk feature in most manufacturers’ current ranges. 

However, being late to join this market sector, Hymer have looked in detail at the opposition and tried hard to not just copy but better their rivals.  To this end, the rear fixed bed is a class-leading 1.50m wide and when tipped up for extra storage the bed does not prevent access to the high-level cupboards.  In the kitchen, there are not only plenty of drawers (where rivals use more difficult to access cupboards), but the fridge has a generous 97 litre capacity and a slide out extension provides additional worktop space by the doorway.  Hymer have also found extra storage space beneath the half-dinette seating by relocating the fresh water tank, while heating is by Webasto diesel-fired blown air.

A tambour door for the washroom makes for easy access (although it’s nothing new), but inside there’s the latest swivel cassette toilet (with wheeled cassette) and neat wall recesses provide useful storage for shampoo bottles etc.  Certainly the Hymer Car washroom looks more upmarket than you’d expect in a high-top conversion.

The Hymer Car 322, which is available in five body colours and can be upgraded with Komfort-Line and Sport-Line options packs, was launched in the UK at this October’s NEC show.  Right hand drive will be offered but plans are for the sliding door to remain on the offside so the layout does not have to change from continental versions.  In Germany the new Hymer is said to be very keenly priced.”