Remember the Volkswagen Westfalia? If you ever spent time in one, it’s likely you loved the spacious (albeit underpowered) camper of the 1980s.
Well, the camper company Westfalia is alive and well, and now it is working with German juggernaut Mercedes. The two brands have collaborated on a sweet campervan, the Marco Polo.
No, it’s not huge. It’s also not off-road rugged, armored, part boat or designed for expeditions.
It is, however, an amazing vehicle for those who would like a camper that isn’t the size of a school bus.
The Marco Polo is available for order in Germany now. No news on whether it will be available any time soon in North America.
Offered in two models, the Mercedes Marco Polo (about $75,000) and Marco Polo Activity (about $50,000) have room for four people to sleep in comfort — two in a rear bench that slides into a bed on the floor via a rail system, and two in the pop-up top’s suspended foam mattress.
Available with turbo diesel engines (136 hp/243 lb-ft of torque, 163 hp/280 lb-ft and 190 hp/325 lb-ft) Mercedes claims fuel efficiency of around 39 mpg.
The Marco Polo has a kitchen unit with a dual-burner stovetop, sink and 10.6-gallon top-loading refrigerator, all with impact-resistant glass tops. The kitchen includes several storage drawers and compartments and extendable work space.
When dinner is ready, a folding table attached to the kitchenette slides out from its hidden position next to the bench seat, providing eating (or working) space for up to four people. The driver and front passenger seats spin around to face the rear seat across the table.
As it’s a Mercedes first, the Marco Polo has all kind of standard and optional tech goodies like crosswind-assist, a 360-degree camera, a blind spot and lane keeping assist (warning), and features to help you park the van safely.
For those looking for more van and less camper, the Marco Polo Activiity is a toned-down version that gives the sleeping space and headroom of the Marco Polo, but without the kitchen and stove at a much lower price.
Look for both on the open road soon.
