Citroën dives deeper into RVs with boldly retro pop

Citroën made a statement at the 2018 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon with a concept it called the Type H WildCamp, a modernized throwback that looked ready for a weeks-long tour of Route 66 ... in 1955. Five years later, a new smaller version of that concept kickstarts a fully invigorated motorhome program for the French automaker. The new Type Holidays carries over the retro looks of the WildCamp but gets a pop-up roof and versatile floor plan to become a viable competitor to other manufacturer midsize-van campers, like the Volkswagen California and Ford Nugget.

Citroën could have just made a pretty cool camper van based on the SpaceTourer, a handsome midsize van that already serves as the foundation of some of the world's most versatile MPV-campers. But that wouldn't be entirely on-brand for the double-chevron badge, so it just had to add a little extra quirk. It opted against contrast-colored bubble wrap and instead commissioned a van reminiscent of the classic Type H that rolled off its assembly lines between 1947 and 1981.

The Type H may not hold the same hypnosis of nostalgia over the RV world as the Volkswagen Type 2, but love it or hate it, it's an eye-catcher of equal measure. So it's no wonder Citroën turned to Caselani to transform the modern-day SpaceTourer into a clear descendant of its great grandpapa, just as it did for the larger Jumper-based 2018 WildCamp. Those flat, broad corrugated body panels don't scream "Italian coachbuilding!!," but they are perfect for a statement camper meant to create some buzz around a new sub brand.

To shoulder its way into a camper van market it estimates at 90,000 units per year, roughly half of all Europe's leisure vehicles, Citroën teamed with Slovenian camper builder Bravia Mobil in removing the factory roof and installing a space-expanding pop-top. This move not only opens a standing-height interior, it allows for a second bed to complement the folding bench-bed for a total of four berths. With this addition, the Type Holidays can serve just as effectively as a compact family camper van as it can a couple's van life retreat.

The Type Holidays isn't as explosively versatile as SpaceTourer-based offerings from Pössl, but it does feature two rear seats mounted to floor rails. The seats can slide back and forth to lock in the most comfortable/practical position on the road and at camp. They can also remove completely when not needed, freeing up more interior cargo and living space. If only two people are taking the trip, they can easily remove the rear row and enjoy a two-story split with upstairs bedroom and spacious downstairs living area. The removable, expandable dining table can be used with just the front swivel seats or with both front and rear seats.

The Type Holidays includes a nicely integrated kitchen block that flows back into a tall wardrobe rising right up to the underside of the roof bed. Citroën has not yet published a full spec sheet, but it does say the kitchen includes a stove, sink and fridge. The kitchen doesn't appear to boast indoor/outdoor cooking capability like the one with which Volkswagen is experimenting on the Multivan California concept, but Citroën emphasizes that the sliding door behind the kitchen block helps with ventilation.

Citroën also mentions the inclusion of a Webasto heater for more comfortable all-season camping and an outdoor shower hooked to a 25-L fresh water tank. It revealed the Type Holidays at last week's Düsseldorf Caravan Salon not solely as a preview of a production camper van but as a first look at the Holidays range it will launch in the near future throughout its network. The Holidays line will further solidify the RV work Citroën's done in the past with both concept vehicles and available production packages, including the SpaceTourer Rip Curl, Jumper Bike Solution (and ATV-gobbling Multi), and Citroënist.

We'll look for official Holidays product specs and pricing at the CMT 2024 camper and tourism show next January, if such information isn't announced sooner.

Source: Citroën