zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Culture
/
Mercedes-Benz Is Making The Factory Compact Camper Van Of Your Dreams
Mercedes-Benz Is Making The Factory Compact Camper Van Of Your Dreams-July 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:12:46

Image for article titled Mercedes-Benz Is Making The Factory Compact Camper Van Of Your Dreams

Hashtag has blown up in the last couple of years. In that same amount of time, Volkswagen’s let Jalopnik road-test its T6 California minivan-sized camper. I still get emails from readers asking if they can buy one. If you’re in America, the answer has been “no.” Until now. Now, the answer is: “Buy this Mercedes.”

The Mercedes-Benz Weekender is a modestly-proportioned camper van based on the Metris and unequivocally the coolest debut to come out of the 2020 Chicago Auto Show.

Look at it. LOOK AT IT!

Image for article titled Mercedes-Benz Is Making The Factory Compact Camper Van Of Your Dreams

Image for article titled Mercedes-Benz Is Making The Factory Compact Camper Van Of Your Dreams

Image for article titled Mercedes-Benz Is Making The Factory Compact Camper Van Of Your Dreams

Image for article titled Mercedes-Benz Is Making The Factory Compact Camper Van Of Your Dreams

Image for article titled Mercedes-Benz Is Making The Factory Compact Camper Van Of Your Dreams

Image for article titled Mercedes-Benz Is Making The Factory Compact Camper Van Of Your Dreams

Image for article titled Mercedes-Benz Is Making The Factory Compact Camper Van Of Your Dreams

The vehicle’s origin story, per Benz’s :

The new camper vans are built by Driverge Vehicle Innovations, who are part of the MASTERSOLUTIONS program, in partnership with Peace Vans, one of the largest classic camper van repair and restoration shops in the United States.

I’m not really sure what to do with that information, but it seemed worthy of inclusion. Anyway, the interesting stuff is what’s inside this thing. Also straight from the release:

An elevating roof with a sleeping area for two. Including an integrated spring system, two-inch memory foam mattress, three windows, and added USB ports for lights, charging and more.A multipurpose rear bench seat that opens up into a bed for two. Additionally, when folded into the seat configuration, the seat moves along a rail position into four locations, allowing additional room for varying cargo needs.Swiveling front seats that rotate 180 degrees allow your van to quickly turn into the perfect multipurpose lounge. Whether doing work after getting off the trail, sharing a meal or playing cards– the reconfigured space with seats fully swiveled adds a whole new dimension to the experience.Standard on every Weekender package is a second battery to power your devices, light up your nights or suit any of your other campsite needs.5,000-pound towing capacity.

Off-Grid Power and Integrated Solar Panels, preparing you for extended trips with built-in solar charging capacity.Upgraded audio and navigation features to improve your road trip experience.Various personalization options with the world-class 3M auto body wrap materials. The Weekender can be wrapped in any one of 200 available colors.Camping upgrades:8-foot awning for shade and rain protectionMosquito/bug screens for the rear hatch, and sliding doorsA tent that quickly attaches to the rear lift gate for added space and privacyRoof Racks for hauling surfboards, extra storage or skis for the slopes.A pullout rear kitchen.

The Weekender is a lot smaller than a Sprinter, which will make it much easier to drive and less expensive albeit less spacious to luxuriate in inside. I’m 100 percent here for it, and I hope this gets more people out into the great outdoors.

It doesn’t look like a price has been announced, but the nicer Metris passenger vans list for about $35,000 right now. Mercedes’ release sent me to for ordering details but that address redirects to the Sprinter site at the time of this writing. Apparently the camper will be available at Mercedes-Benz Vans dealers around the U.S. starting spring 2020, though. I wouldn’t expect you’ll be able to get one for less than $50,000, but if the build quality is solid and the space is well-utilized it might not be a bad buy!

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Culture
Subaru Had It Right All Along
Subaru Had It Right All Along
When first came to the United States, it sold small funky cars that were decidedly un-American. As the company grew its own identity and became more established in the U.S., it became the first automaker to offer an all-wheel-drive passenger car in 1975. Subaru was also an early-adopter of...
Jul 5, 2025
2024 Kia EV9: What Do You Want To Know?
2024 Kia EV9: What Do You Want To Know?
At long last, we are about to get behind the wheel of for the first time. Sure, , and sure, , and sure , but hey — what can you do? Anyway, before we get behind the wheel of this three-row electric beast, we want to know what you...
Jul 5, 2025
Toyota Is Moving A Prewar 700-Ton Press Machine Halfway Around The World
Toyota Is Moving A Prewar 700-Ton Press Machine Halfway Around The World
closed its São Bernardo Plant in November 2023, marking the end of its first overseas production facility. The closure caps off a period of continuous car production in São Paolo, , lasting over 60 years. The plant was home to a Komatsu 700-ton press that predates itself. And now...
Jul 5, 2025
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10
MotorWeek’s is some of the on the internet. The long-running automotive news magazine has a treasure trove of tests after being on the air for over 40 years. Where else can you find detailed instrumented testing of long-forgotten cars like the or a ? MotorWeek’s recent Retro Review upload is...
Jul 5, 2025
I Can't Get Enough Of This YouTuber Who Builds Tiny, Fully Functional Scale-Model Cars
I Can't Get Enough Of This YouTuber Who Builds Tiny, Fully Functional Scale-Model Cars
I love tiny, of . I have a that is roughly half the size of a normal cat, and she’s perfect. I own a 2013 , which is like the miniature version of a normal-sized vehicle (at least here in Texas) — but beyond that, I also own a Hot...
Jul 5, 2025
I Entered My Lifted Miata In A Real Off-Road Race, Here's What Happened
I Entered My Lifted Miata In A Real Off-Road Race, Here's What Happened
I have two automotive loves: The first is the Miata, the second is off-road racing. For a while I raced air-cooled Volkswagens in the deserts of California and Nevada and I was lucky enough to co-drive in a class 11 stock bug in the Baja 1000 a few years...
Jul 5, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved