Citroën has unveiled a new camper van concept that takes inspiration from the company’s iconic Type H van. The new Type Holidays features a retro-inspired body with ribbed accents and a classic grille, but it is also equipped with modern features such as a pop-up roof, a kitchenette, and a Webasto heating system.
Derived from the Citroën SpaceTourer people carrier (available here as the Opel Zafira Life), Type Holidays offers comfort and clever features, including a pop-up roof, a bench seat that converts into a bed, a kitchenette and a fold-down table. The concept combines the iconic Citroën Type H (see brochure image above) with the more modern SpaceTourer. The name is a nod to the Type H.
Big in Europe
Citroën is the second largest supplier of motorhome-based vehicles in Europe. It wanted to showcase this heritage by presenting a SpaceTourer in the guise of a Type H, based on the work of Italian coachbuilder Caselani. This Citroën partner has already created a number of “neo-retro” body styles for Citroën models.
In a statement Citroën says with a vehicle like the Type Holidays that really stands out from the crowd, customers are in for a real treat. “Its unique design, like its grey colour, is a nod to Citroën’s legendary Type H, the famous “Tube”, the company stated.
The company says many people are switching to compact camper vans. It can go practically anywhere – it is less than two metres high – which means it can fit into car parks (in town as well as at the beach) and be used on a day-to-day basis, all year round. Camper vans accounts for around 90 000 new vehicles every year in Europe – more than half of all leisure vehicle sales. “Van life” is popular among younger people and offers freedom, but with most of the comfort essentials you need.
Dedicated fittings
Van Life also owes its success to all the progress that has been made in terms of layout and comfort. With this vehicle, camping is now chic – in line with the “glamping” trend. The Citroën Type Holidays offers all the advantages of the Citroën SpaceTourer: spaciousness, comfort, quiet operation, two sliding side doors for easy access and ventilation, an independently opening tailgate window, and more. Everything that up to four people might need to get away from it all.
All the mod cons
Citroën has called on a leading specialist to kit out the van: Bravia Mobil. This Slovenian company has equipped the Citroën Type Holidays with the following:
- A pop-up roof that allows you to stand upright in the living space inside the Citroën Type Holidays and which houses a large bed to accommodate two people in night mode.
- A two-row bench seat that opens up to form a comfortable two-person bed. And this bench seat is completely removable to free up storage space.
- Two front seats that swivel round towards the living area of the vehicle.
- A complete kitchenette (cooking area, sink, fridge)
- A folding table for dining or working, and several cupboards for storing your belongings.
- A Webasto heating system to ensure optimum temperature on board.
More Holidays to come
The Type Holidays teaser promises a distinctive travelling experience, according to Citroën. With its retro exterior and modern interior, it’s the ideal companion for a stylish getaway in total freedom. It will be ushering in a comprehensive range called “Holidays” that will soon be available across the Citroën network, the French manufacturer claims.
The company is yet to announce the sales prices of the Type Holidays, and whether it will come to South Africa is unknown. If it does, it will compete with the VW California Coast 2.0 BiTDI 146kW 4MOTION DSG (R1 503 900) and Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo but will likely be more affordable.
