Why didn’t anyone think of it before? That was the first question that crossed our minds when bodybuilders came up with the idea Box van to be offered with a pop-up roof. What works for small campervans can’t be wrong for a large van. Meanwhile is this sleep concept is the trend in expanded Ducato, Sprinter and Co.
Used car tip: VW T6 California
At Malibu, the folding roof with two additional beds is available as a family-for-4 (3990 euros) to be found in the catalog. The Aulendorfer also have one for the 2022 season new line called diversity developed that promises a clear line of sight and even more clever storage space.
The advantage of the pop-top roof: two more beds (1.35 meters by 2 meters) without sacrificing space in the living room.
The shorter variant has one transverse bed instead of two longitudinal beds
That’s him: With 6.36 meters outside length the largest of the two new diversity floor plans. The shorter version measures six meters and only differs in that it has a transverse bed instead of two lengthways beds in the rear. It gets complicated because of the numerous options in our motorhome with the model designation: Malibu Van family-for-4 GT skyview 640 LE K. Phew! At first glance it comes with the classic and proven floor plan from the kitchenette in the entry area and seating area and bathroom on the driver’s side. plus two more beds in the large pop-top roof, which can be opened completely in the front area. The standard interior Cherry Classic is typical of Malibu: cupboard fronts in light wood decor, paired with white elements and a bottom with a stick look. The interior design might be too conservative for a young clientele, but in the premium box van segment, which also includes the Malibu Van diversity, the classic and unexcited look fits in well with the concept.
Storage and expansion make the kitchen flexible. The kitchen cabinets are practically divided and offer plenty of space.
The kitchen grows into an XXL line
What is particularly noticeable: The unobstructed line of sight through the vehicle. This effect is achieved because the high wardrobe is not part of the kitchen block as usual, but is hidden under the foot of the bed on the passenger side. A flap with gas pressure springs ensures comfortable use. The kitchen, on the other hand, grows to the XXL line.
Motorization
power
Displacement
Torque
Top speed
Gearbox / drive
Tank capacity / type of fuel
Length Width Height
Wheelbase tires
Empty weight ready to drive / payload (test mobile)
Trailer load (braked / unbraked)
Material wall / roof / floor
Lying area roof L x W
Lying area rear L x W
Fridge / incl. icebox
stove
Board battery
Fresh / waste water tank
Gas supply / heating
Base price
Test car price
103 kW (140 PS) at 3600 rpm
Nine-speed automatic / front wheel
4035 mm – 225/75 R 16 C
2020 x 900/1890 x 1020 mm
There is now another work surface and a flat cupboard above the refrigerator for even more storage space. The Malibu developers have also become creative in the bathroom. The Flexible bathroom with swiveling toilet and two-part sliding wall is not a new development for the diversity, but still a clever and space-saving solution.
Confidently and very quietly on the road in the diversity van
He has: Everything you need for camping. As usual, it gets expensive with the extra requests in the Ducato cockpit. In our case, this includes the automatic transmission (3790 euros), the load factor (1290 euros), 16-inch aluminum rims (790 euros), a multimedia system (560 euros), the aluminum gray paint (990 euros) and the chassis package together Charging booster, 90-liter tank and parking aids in the rear (2290 euros). There is also the assembly package (1140 euros) and portholes (490 euros).
The high-quality expansion is pleasantly quiet while driving.
This is how he drives: Not only as sovereign as we are used to from the 140 PS Ducato (950 euros) with smooth automatic, but also very, very quiet. That speaks for the high quality expansion. The 105 kilo roof can only be felt on the scales. However, our test car still drove on the old Series 7 Italian. The final series vehicles will be on the new Ducato delivered to customers.
