The first show appearance of Geist motorhomes since they returned to the UK and two new motorhome dealer-special ranges are just two reasons for visiting the Caravan and Motorhome Show in Manchester this weekend.

Indeed, as these German ’vans won’t be at next month’s NEC show, this is a prime opportunity to see them!

The three Geist A-classes on display on Camper UK’s stand include one, the Explorer Comfort I585, which is exclusive to the UK and to Camper UK for 2018.

This 5.99m end-washroom two-berth includes a drop-down bed over a full lounge. And that washroom has a huge wardrobe on the offside. It’s priced at £71,995 OTR.

A trio from Geist

There’s also the Geist Premium I650G with a raised U-shaped lounge and a large drop-down bed over the cab, a layout similar to Frankia’s Plus models. This 6.96m-long two-berth with an optional drop-down bed costs £78,495.

But we were particularly impressed with the third model, the 7.35m-long Premium I710, with an end-washroom, fixed-single-bed layout.

It includes an innovative occasional seat that you pull out of the side wardrobe, and masses of storage under both beds that is accessible from the outside. It also costs £78,495.

All three ’vans feature starkly Continental interiors with unpatterned upholstery in various shades of brown.

Their kitchens include almost domestic-style pan stands on the hobs and large, smoothly sliding pan drawers.

There are so many of them, in fact, that the inclusion of a small Thetford oven does not in any way diminish the space.

The façades also have an impressive grille set off by rows of lights.

New dealer specials from Glossops

Glossop Caravans, meanwhile, has launched two dealer-special ranges, the Celebration and the Chatsworth, based on the Swift Escape and Elddis Autoquest ranges respectively.

This is the first time the Peak District dealer, which has a strong reputation for dealer specials in the caravan market, has ventured into dealer specials for motorhomes.

Glossop Caravans’ joint managing director Brian Laing said, “We are already effectively the market leader in dealer specials for caravans so we couldn’t see why this couldn’t transfer over to motorhomes.”

The two ranges come with their own upholstery: a blue and grey floral pattern in the Chatsworths and more vivid browns and oranges in the Celebrations.

As usual, they also include a long list of extras. In the Chatsworth this includes alloy wheels, a bike rack, cab blinds, a reversing camera, an external socket, external gas and shower points, a sky view cab roof and an awning.

Celebration ’vans get a black metallic cab, the same external sockets, a leather steering wheel, a reversing camera, an awning, an Omnivent and much more.

Exclusive Dethleffs models

Meanwhile, if you were after a Dethleffs this year, and are disappointed that the standard Advantage range is no longer going to be sold into the UK, head to the Lowdhams stand, where you will find two special-edition low-profile Advantage models that are exclusive this year to the Newark dealer.

The island-bed T 7051 DBM and low fixed-single-bed T 7051 EB are both 7.40m long, and come with a special pack of goodies worth over £7000 for £1995 more.

These include a metallic silver cab, an awning, a reversing camera, a satellite dish, a leather steering wheel and an opening cab sunroof.

There are also plans to include a third model in the range that has higher fixed single beds.

Lowdhams is also displaying its Swift Freestyle dealer specials, based on Swift’s Escape range with £4000 worth of extras included in the price, plus its Bessacarr Hi-Style special editions, based on Swift’s revamped Bessacarr models, with £5000 of extras included in the price.

An unexpected Bürstner

What else? Well, it’s worth heading over to the Emm-Bee Motorhomes stand at the Caravan and Motorhome Show to see the UK’s first appearance of the Bürstner Lyseo TD 745 Harmony Line.

This features an unusual rear lounge, with a single sofa at the back below a longitudinal drop-down bed.

You’ll also notice a Travel Van Edition 30 T 620G next door…

At the Bürstner 2018-season launch last year, there was some question about whether these keenly priced models would get to the UK beyond the hire market, but this one is on sale, with right-hand drive, for £56,995.

Love VW camper vans?

Camper van fans won’t be disappointed either: Leisuredrive is displaying its new VW Verano model with the usual camper layout.

It has leather upholstery, alloy wheels and tinted glass, and the company hopes it will attract VW fans who can’t quite stretch to a California: the 2.0-litre diesel model on display in Manchester costs £42,990. And look out for its new Ford Transit Custom-based Occasion ’van.

There’s development on the awnings front, too: Isabella has revamped its Ventura air awnings range this year with four new models.

Two of these are driveaway models suitable for motorhomes (and colour-coded with an orange strip, just in case you weren’t sure.) The Simplex and Vivo awnings are both made of Isabella fabric.

The Caravan and Motorhome Show runs until this Sunday, 21 January 2018, at EventCity in Manchester.