Picture this: you're driving your electric car through Scandinavia, towing a caravan behind you, and thanks to clever aerodynamics, you're barely using more energy than usual. Sounds too good to be true? Not with the new concept from Finland that Nele discovered at this year's Caravan Salon.
The Karoo caravan combines futuristic design with Scandinavian functionality and might just answer a question that's on a lot of EV drivers' minds: how do you camp electric without being glued to the charging station?
Want to hear the full conversation between Nele and Maximilian Leroux? You'll find the whole podcast episode on all major platforms and right here:
Podcast · Episode 431
Caravan Salon live: Wie ein finnischer Hersteller das Konzept Caravaning revolutionieren will
Aerodynamics Meets Transformer Principle
Maximilian Leroux, who handles everything from purchasing to production to dealer relations at Karoo, explains how it all started. The founder originally came from the construction industry and first wanted to build a trailer where all the tools could fold out like a transformer.
That idea evolved into the vision of a caravan that stays compact while still offering maximum space. According to Leroux, the result reminds some people of a futuristic horse trailer, others of a UFO or an upside-down boat. One of its biggest innovations really is the streamlined shape, which cuts drag by about 50% compared to conventional caravans.
With an electric car, fuel consumption while towing comes in at around 30 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 kilometers. A test drive from Helsinki through Lapland to Norway proved it works in practice: a charging stop was needed every 250 kilometers — and according to Leroux, there was even more range left in the tank.
Outside and Inside at Once
The most spectacular feature is the fully foldable side wall (a gullwing door). Open it up, and you basically get a built-in awning that connects the interior seamlessly with the outdoors. In most small caravans, you're either cooped up inside or stuck outside. The Karoo creates a smooth transition between the two.
Large windows on both sides and a huge panoramic skylight mean there's no cramped feeling despite the compact dimensions (total length 5.30 m, width 2.09 m). You can watch the stars at night or listen to the rain falling.
Everything can be completely darkened when needed. Especially in Finland, where winter darkness is harder to deal with than the cold, light and a bright color concept play a central role in the design.
Multifunctional Down to the Last Detail
The seating area looks like a high-end designer sofa and seats up to three people. You can adjust the recline and turn the whole setup into a sleeping area. All told, the Karoo sleeps two adults and two children.
The two movable stools don't just extend the sleeping area — open them up and they turn into storage space. Flip the lid over, and you've got a small table. Especially clever: the backrest cushion of the bench doubles as storage for a blanket and pillow.
The kitchen slides out to the exterior but also works from inside when the weather's bad. It comes standard with a gas stove (induction optional) and a sink with a folding tap. Underneath sits a small fridge, with built-in storage above.
Across from it is the bathroom with a cassette toilet and built-in shower. A swiveling table works for eating, working, or as a standing table outside. And if you want to unwind after a long hike: a projector beams movies or shows onto a roll-out screen above the kitchen unit.
Tech Features & Smart Home
The Karoo also relies on modern standards when it comes to tech:
Security: A smart alarm system, GPS tracker, and electric lock keep the trailer safe.
Controls & Comfort: All functions run through a touchscreen panel, with built-in Bluetooth speakers for music.
Power & Climate: Besides a gas/electric heater and a water boiler, there's a built-in solar panel as standard. The onboard battery comes with 2.5 to 5.1 kWh as standard.
Less Is More — Even When It Comes to Storage
With all this cleverness, there are of course compromises. Nele rightly asked where the clothes get stored. Leroux points to the two seat boxes and two travel bags, each with 33 liters of capacity, attached magnetically to the ceiling. The kitchen also offers space for dishes and supplies. Some things, though, have to stay in the tow vehicle.
The limited storage space might actually encourage some minimalism. The fridge is also on the small side, more like a hotel room minibar. That means either shopping more often or packing more non-perishable food.
From prototype to production
The models shown at Caravan Salon are still prototypes (two at their own booth, one at Thule's booth). The team has already racked up thousands of kilometers with one of the prototypes. According to Leroux, the vehicle is over 80% finished technically. What's left is mostly fine-tuning things like door locking mechanisms or cable routing.
Cutting weight remains a key goal. Right now the empty weight sits at 1,050 kg, and fully equipped as shown at the fair, it's 1,300 kg. The team wants to shave off around 100 kg more to allow for higher payload. EU type approval is scheduled for autumn, when another prototype will go through stress tests.
If you order now, you secure your spot in the delivery queue and get a binding delivery date after pre-ordering. Production starts early next year, with the first deliveries arriving right in time for summer season.
More information at www.karoocamper.com/de/vorbestellung/.
What does the innovation cost?
The base price is just under €37,000. According to Leroux, though, most visitors at the fair configured around €8,000 worth of extras. That includes expanded solar panels, a bigger 15.1 kWh battery pack, an induction stove instead of gas, or a premium audio system. Realistically, you should budget around €45,000.
That's well within the range of what you'd now pay for a well-equipped caravan from an established manufacturer. On top of that come the long-term savings from lower fuel consumption. Whether you're driving petrol, diesel, or electric: the aerodynamic shape cuts drag significantly.
While conventional caravans act like a wall, the Karoo lets air flow around it. The team barely noticed they had a trailer attached while driving through Norwegian mountain roads during testing.
Easy to handle
Thanks to its narrow design with a total width of 2.09 m, you can use your car's standard side mirrors. Maneuvering is easy, and the moderate weight means you can even push the caravan by hand if needed.
Especially handy for spontaneous stops: you just pull over at a scenic spot, open the side door, take in the view, make yourself a coffee, and drive on. That flexibility is exactly what makes this concept work.
Conclusion: daring to innovate
The Karoo caravan shows that even in an established industry, there's room for completely new approaches. The combination of Finnish design, clever multifunctionality, and EV compatibility is especially appealing if you want to travel electric without giving up camping comfort.
More information at www.karoocamper.com/de/karoo-camper-wohnwagen/.
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