What is it that first attracted you to the campervan lifestyle? The cool and chic of campervan culture, the lure of the open road, the endless possibilities of the road less travelled, not knowing what’s down the road or exactly where tonight’s park-up would be, other than there would be a sea-view for certain, upgraded from a 5-star to an infinite night sky, and maybe the Northern Lights and a meteor shower for good measure.

If it sounds romantic that’s because it is. Like in any relationship the first steps are tentative, but you’ve always wondered, wished, wanted a campervan but never really met the right one for you.

You’ve always fancied a campervan, but not the one next door, which is reliable, faithful, will never let you down, but is not your type, doesn’t really turn you on.

Fear not. You may finally have met your match, thanks to Vanderlust.

Meet the Opel Vivaro e-Camper. It’s electric. I can tell, you are already feeling the connection…

It’s vital statistics, they’re a knockout, but that’s only half the story. This baby’s got pizzazz, panache, personality, style to spare, character that says, this is no whim, not just a weekend fling, but a lifelong love affair… Tinder don’t do campervans, but if they did, swipe right if you’re still with me!

There are lots of campervans and motorhomes on the road, in fact, never as many. The standard and quality (like some of the pricessssssssssssssssssssss) have gone through the roof, but how many of them really catch your eye, turn your head and make you want to commit, invest, embrace the campervan lifestyle and culture?

The latest revelation out of the west of Ireland from the Ennistymon based Vanderlust, the Opel Vivaro e-Camper, does just that. It has the wow factor, love at first sight. Even for the most experienced campervan enthusiasts, with lots of mileage under their belt and more road trip stories than they’ve had hot dinners, the Vanderlust Vivaro conversion is jaw-dropping, eye-popping jealousy before you ever pop the hood.

So, what’s this next generation e-camper got that conventional campervans don’t? Where to start, as it’s a long list. First and foremost, it’s not high maintenance*, and if this relationship is going to go the distance it’s got to run smooth. The Vanderlust Vivaro e-Camper is not just easy on the eye, it’s easy-going too.

Of course, it has all the usual mod-cons that we’ve come to expect from the customised conversions coming from the vastly experienced Vanderlust crew, inspired by their creative vision and commitment to campervan culture and lifestyle, craftsmanship honed over the past 25 years, and adaptation of the latest innovations and technical developments, many of them drawn from cutting-edge nautical and aeronautical concepts, but this Vanderlust Vivaro build runs so smoothly it’s like a spaceship.

Speaking of space, Vanderlust founder and driving force, David Hanley, believes that for a campervan conversion to work to its optimum, “every millimetre is important real estate’.

Funky functionality, compact, convenient and comfortable

That’s especially true of the compact Vivaro where the Vanderlust fit-out has brought finesse, flair, fashion and funky functionality to a whole new level. This is a new wave of campervan from David and his north Clare crew, who also happen to be avid surfers and lifelong campervan enthusiasts themselves.

The Vanderlust Vivaro e-camper conversion spec includes: two front swivel bases on single driver and passenger seats; composite insulated floor with seat rails for double rear seat/bed (the rear rock&roll seat is removable); fully insulated ply lined and carpeted interior; elevating roof with sleeping for two; bamboo and lightweight furniture with app controlled led lighting; 30l top loading compressor fridge; 2-ring Thetford induction hob; removable sink unit; removable tap/shower point; kitchen unit on slider mechanism to enable indoor/outdoor cooking; LED lighting throughout; USB charging x 4; full Victron lithium 200 Ah leisure battery set-up with external charging via 240V shore power and also from the 300 watt solar panel; 1600W inverter/charger; geo-fencing and tagging capability; black alloy wheels and hi-spec tyres; reversing sensors, heated seats, rear bumper guard; automatic transmission with 3-drive modes. It’s built around the L1H1 Opel Vivaro-e Sportive base vehicle which is listed at €46,000 at the time of the conversion.

Wi-Fi enabled for real remote working

By any standards that’s some trim and we almost forgot the Victron Wi-Fi modem which gives access to all the leisure battery system data via the Victron Vrms portal. With the Vanderlust Vivaro e-Camper you’re not just ready to hit the road, but you are capable of real (really) remote working, even for those days when it’s going off on the west coast and you have a ‘board meeting’ with your surfing buddies!!

The Vanderlust Vivaro e-camper has 4-seat belts (the rear bench seats entirely removable if required to provide more storage space) and it also sleeps four. Its full charge range is listed as 340km, but the Vanderlust team deem it to be about 25 per cent less in real world driving conditions. With tidy vital statistics coming in at 1.9m high and a fraction short of 5m in length make it headroom barrier, underground carpark, and driveway friendly, providing super flexible opportunities for parking and everyday urban use. You can take this motor home to work.

Coolest campervan in town

What first attracted Vanderlust to this particular vehicle for its flagship next gen fit-out? Why the Opel Vivaro? As if it wasn’t already glaringly clear, we asked David Hanley?
“Quite simply the Vivaro is the best vehicle in its class right now. While compact it still has the capacity for the style of conversion we required, the space to also ensure comfort and convenience. It’s not just a modified vehicle which was electric enabled, it’s a purpose-built electric van, with a really competitive price point compared to any of its rivals at this juncture and the 340km range even when it’s modified for real world driving is appealing for committed campervan enthusiasts. On the road you can top up with a 50 per cent charge within 40 minutes, giving you an additional 130km range. This campervan is not just road trip ready but it’s a smashing comfortable versatile vehicle for everyday use, so serene around town, it’s really the business. This is a compact easy-to-drive every-day vehicle with the footprint of the average saloon car and yet we customised it for sleeping comfort with room to spare. This Vivaro is what the future of campervan conversions looks like, the complete lifestyle vehicle, and it’s ready to roll.”

The Vanderlust Vivaro e-camper can be yours this Christmas for €75k.
Considering Vanderlust in Ennistymon are fully booked up until next July, this might be your only chance to skip that eight-month waiting list and drive away today, turning heads in the coolest campervan in town.

At a glance – the Vanderlust Vivaro e-Campervan spec

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