Hymer Van S500 motorhome review

Hymer introduced its Van S S motorhome at the CMT trade fair in Stuttgart in January 2016. It would be fair to say that the vehicle is revolutionary due to its size and for the equipment it offers, nonetheless I think that Hymer has not understood the needs of those that are likely to be able to afford a vehicle of this nature and that for the money, there are better vehicles out there - some of which are manufactured by the same company. This may seem strange coming from me - especially as I have been arguing for smaller and compact vehicles since I got involved with this hobby.

However before being critical, lets be positive and look at some of the good things it has. It is based on the Mercedes Sprinter. There are Seitz S7 framed windows, insulated and heated tanks, GRP lightweight floor construction with XPS insulation and a large garage with access from both sides. The vehicle is also only 222cm wide meaning it is much easier to park and drive than most motorhomes! Furthermore , the rear-wheel drive has a two ton towing capacity - should you need a caravan to make up for the lack of internal space.

Both the fresh water and waste water tanks are concealed in insulated trays in the floor which can have hot air flowing through them. This is a useful feature for winter! The GRP underbody also offers additional protection from weather-related damage together with that caused by stones and grit. The powder-coated aluminium frame is particularly lightweight and sturdy, and also has a thermal bridge insulation layer.

It comes with a Truma-Combi-4-heater which has a 4,000W output which should be more than sufficient to keep even the most demanding of users warm when it is below freezing outside. Individual temperature adjustments and the boost function for fast hot water supply and room heating in the Van S can be controlled via the serial central control panel Truma CP plus with timer. The Seitz S7 framed windows feature double acrylic glazing – for optimised thermal insulation.

The kitchen drawers are equipped with roller bearings for ultra-smooth action. They feature a Servo soft-touch closing mechanism and one-handed push-locks that prevent the drawers from opening and rattling when the Van S is in motion.

The living area in the Van S is equipped with a Midi lift/tilt rooflight as standard. A steplessly adjustable opening angle ensures effective ventilation at all times. A double roller blind is integrated in the rooflight frame to darken the interior and keep out insects.

The interior lighting throughout the motorhome features modern LED technology as standard. This cuts energy consumption in the Van S by three quarters when compared to previous vans which did not have this facility. Since LEDs don’t get hot, this also improves fire and accident safety. The high-power LED awning light with rain deflector is also part of the standard package. It lights up a wide area outside the entrance door of the Van S so you can exit the vehicle safely in the dark.

The waste water tank in the Van S can be drained at the touch of a button. It is equipped with an electric valve which can be instantly opened and closed via the switch at the side of the rear garage.

The beds in the Van S are equipped with multi-zone cold foam mattresses that provide the right support for all areas of the body. Breathable mattress toppers in the rear section ensure good ventilation.

The wardrobe which can also be accessed from the garage. In combination with an optional tailgate, this provides a handy through-loading space when required.

The worktop in the compact kitchen of the Van S can be extended in one easy step to create extra space for those that do not want to work at the table. The kitchen has a 2-burner hob and sink combo. There is a 65 litre compressor fridge.

Where I think that Hymer has gone wrong is that I do not see the market to which this is aimed. With a starting price of around EUR65k then it can only be afforded by people who are likely to want more luxury - that is space. The ladder up to the bed is not particularly easy to use when one wakes up in the middle of the night after a few glasses of wine. On the other hand, those that do not mind putting up with these problems are unlikely to be able to find the cash to pay for it. I think the ideas in the Van S are good but need more thought to make this a practical alternative for motorhomers. It will, however, look very impressive on a showroom forecout.