Innovation made by Knaus Tabbert: First electric motorhome from Jandelsbrunn: New features of the 2022 model at the Caravan Salon Düsseldorf

Because despite the current challenges, one thing is more than clear: caravanning has proven its potential as a (crisis-)safe form of holidaying and has long since become mainstream in our society. The demand for Knaus Tabbert leisure vehicles remains high – true to the company motto "We move".

Accepting challenges, continuously making technologies and design even better, revolutionising the future of caravanning – the brands of Knaus Tabbert AG will be on show in Halls 1, 4 and 5 and allow trade fair visitors to experience innovations: KNAUS, WEINSBERG, TABBERT, T@B, MORELO and RENT AND TRAVEL.

The leisure vehicles for the mobility of tomorrow and numerous other highlights from Knaus Tabbert AG at the Caravan Salon:

E-motorhome from Knaus Tabbert
– Boundless energy guaranteed: The first fully electric motorhome from Knaus Tabbert.

New equipment options
– Whether upside down, on their side or the right way up – your glasses will never slip ever again thanks to silwyREADY.
– Velocate 2.0: temperature and gas level now also displayed in the app.
– Brighter, higher contrast, better – the new Pioneer navigation system with pitch radar.
– ONE-NIGHT STAND: “mobile” electric power for a night in your caravan.
– Other options: smart TV, lithium-ion battery and safety features.
– Included as standard: perfectly hygienic water wherever you go – the new bluuwater water filter.
– Even safer and even better equipped: the new series 8 Fiat Ducato.

KNAUS
– Second to none: the L!VE I with its innovative FoldXPand rear, improved gas locker and new options.
– The luxury liner from KNAUS is now also available as a four-wheeler: the SUN I with a new, exclusive layout.
– No compromises: the new VAN I combines sporty dynamics with a generous feeling of space.
– Perfect all-rounders and now true classics: SKY TI and SKY TI PLATINUM SELECTION with FoldXPand rear in a new dimension and unique new features.
– Sporty yet amazingly spacious with state-of-the-art assistance systems: VAN TI and VAN TI VANSATION now also on the MAN TGE.
– More relaxed and safer caravanning holidays for you and your four-legged friends: KNAUS is collaborating with Lucky Dog Camper.
– The next level of electromobility – fully electric: SPORT and SÜDWIND featuring ePOWER.
– Lighter, more innovative, more elegant and sportier with a new interior and exterior: the new SPORT.
– Caravan icons that are full of character: SÜDWIND and SÜDWIND 60 YEARS boasting a new look.
– CUV innovation: the BOXDRIVE with its new interior and innovative 600 XL raised-roof layout combines driving safety with functionality.

WEINSBERG
– Maximum weight saving, no more stressing about the payload – thanks to the revolutionary SUPERLIGHT technology of the CaraHome and CaraCore.
– Style-conscious trendsetter: the CaraCore with its improved gas locker and new options.
– Incredibly spacious: the CaraHome with an expanded range of layouts.
– Even more comfortable: improvements for the bathroom and gas locker on the CaraLoft and CaraSuite.
– Fully electric: the CaraCito now features an induction hob and intelligent electric controls.
– Lighter, tougher, more durable – the innovative Dyonic chassis for CaraOne and CaraCito.
– Even better for the new model year: the CUVs from WEINSBERG feature numerous modifications and new options.

TABBERT
– Modern, sporty, innovative: new and spacious family layout for the DA VINCI.
– Exclusive to the UK: the PARIS featuring an improved range of layouts and a new interior.

T@B
– Timeless classic – the iconic T@B is heading into the 2022 model year as a success.

RENT AND TRAVEL
– Rent a vehicle, get in, and enjoy your holiday: now with more than 440 partner travel agents, 180 rental stations and 2,200 vehicles.
– Always at hand: get a status overview on your vehicle booking, information on travel countries and emergency numbers – all on the RENT AND TRAVEL app.
– Clever: use QR codes to find out important information and contact options for prospective renters and customers.

Innovation made in Jandelsbrunn: The first electric motorhome by Knaus Tabbert: E.POWER DRIVE.

Innovative electric motorhome by Knaus Tabbert
– High voltage guaranteed: We set things in motion – the first e-motorhome by KNAUS.
– For a clean holiday without local emissions
– The travel mobility of the future

Innovation by Knaus Tabbert and HWA
The “e” in daily traffic is advancing fast – not only for environmental reasons. Many customers want the mobility of the future to be modern but also clean. Enthusiasm for the “e” therefore continues to increase: E-bikes, e-scooters, e-cars are popular. The benefits for you: Local emissions – as good as noise-free travel, full torque from the first rev, no restrictions when entering green zones. And with that comes the clear conscience of using state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly technology.

In organising their leisure activities, more and more people have higher demands on the environmental footprint their actions leave behind. Holiday shouldn’t just be relaxing but also clean. When going on a mobile holiday, such as with a motorhome, increasingly more regional restrictions (green zones, entry restrictions) impede the use of conventional vehicles with engines.

So it’s about time to take the resolute and logical step in the direction of an electric recreational vehicle. For this reason, at the Caravan Salon 2021 exhibition, Knaus Tabbert AG will present a highly regarded vehicle survey, thereby reinforcing our own aspirations as an innovative leader in the industry: The “KNAUS E.POWER DRIVE” – the first fully electric motorhome from Jandelsbrunn. In cooperation with HWA AG – a leader in the motor sport and engineering field and an experienced, internationally renowned development partner – we created this electrically-powered KNAUS motorhome using electrical drive.

The vehicle survey “KNAUS E.POWER DRIVE” is based on a KNAUS Van Ti 650 MEG Vansation. Optically it still resembles a conventional, partially integrated motorhome. But the complex technology of the KNAUS survey can already be seen in the cockpit. There is no need for a gear lever since you can dispense with the propulsion engine as well as the six-speed manual gearbox. In its place we have installed “push button automatics” with a system known from automatic transmission: P (Park), R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D (Drive). A further two buttons on the panel turn on the vehicle heating (also heats up the traction battery when outside temperatures are low) or turn off the recuperation during adverse driving conditions such as ice or packed snow. At the same time the six buttons show the charging status of the traction battery, which has a capacity of 35 kWh. Also in the cockpit: The innovative HMI concept consisting of two large displays. The aim here was to develop the best possible solution for an optimum human-machine-interface. The 12 inch touch screen also enables you to manage the infotainment but can also display additional information about the driving mode. A second display shows the operating status of the motorhome, the speed or currently requested driving performance.

Even more was going on hidden away behind the bodywork. In place of the familiar diesel engine with transmission, an intelligent combination of electric motor and reduction gearbox comes into operation. The e-motor performs at up to 180 kW and enables this fully equipped, four-seater motorhome to travel at over 110 km/h. It can, however, also recuperate during manual mode, meaning, it can produce electric energy which is stored in the high voltage battery installed close to the axis in the rear floor of the motorhome. At best, the lithium-ion cells of the front-wheel driven “KNAUS E.POWER DRIVE” can be recharged within around three hours at a public wallbox charging point. The Range Extender reduces the charging time to approx. 35 minutes.

The range of the “KNAUS E.POWER DRIVE”in purely electrical operation was determined at 90 kilometres in a WLTP test procedure. At the latest when the battery has reached its threshold level, but usually before then, the Range Extender starts up automatically during drive mode, which is coupled to a generator, eradicating the need for less convenient and time-consuming charging stops. The REX’s main job is to charge the traction battery but it is also able to supply electricity directly to the drive motor. At the same time the REX also supplies energy to the living space of the recreational vehicle. The installed DC/AC converter (direct current/alternating current) provides the living space with normal household 230 volt and in doing so increases the self-sufficiency of the motorhome. The KNAUS Research specification sheet expressed its aspirations as follows: “During normal weather conditions it should be possible to live in the caravan independently for up to five days (lighting, cooking, heating).”

An essential component of the Range Extender is the state-of-the-art rotary engine, installed during the survey, which operates in the optimum rpm range and efficiently powers a flange-mounted generator. The benefits of this three-disk rotary piston engine from the KNAUS survey are clear: compact dimensions, easier assembly and less components than a reciprocating piston engine (no camshaft, no valves, no cam chain), smooth and quiet operation, can be used at an ideal rev range. But conventional combustion engines (petrol or diesel) are also an option, which drive the generator efficiently and with low emissions.

Solution of the future: Hydrogen as an alternative energy source
However, the long-term goal of Knaus Tabbert Research is to, in future, install a fuel cell in place of the rotary piston engine, which produces the required energy in an even more clean manner because it only emits water. The required hydrogen is then stored (crash-proof) in a special pressure tank instead of the conventional diesel tank.
In addition, in future, the vehicle will be “gas-free” and therefore exclusively operated in full electric mode, offering additional potential to save on weight. When the vehicle range is manufactured a variety of weight-saving measures will further optimise the weight balance. The aim of Knaus Tabbert Research and Development is to provide a basic motorhome in the popular 3.5 tonne class, approved for operation with four people, with a reasonable, useful vehicle load capacity.

Clean and quiet
Driving into designated green zones with the “KNAUS E.POWER DRIVE” will also be possible without restrictions in future. And so that other road users can hear the super-silent motorhome, we have installed a sound generator for safety purposes, which produces a modern driving sound. With a full battery the vehicle can thus provide a very long period of self-sufficient, comfortable living when caravanning – even when there doesn’t happen to be an external charging point around.
The survey we presented on the KNAUS electric motorhome represents an awakening into a so far unknown freedom, flexibility and independence for modern caravanners – and that in a sustainable way – thus in harmony with an ecological responsibility for our environment. The future is “e”, the future of clean travel is "KNAUS E.POWER DRIVE”.

Please find more information in the attachement.