Karoo (2027): Modular mini caravan with bathroom, outdoor kitchen, and gullwing door

Picture this: you're driving through Scandinavia in your electric car, 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 this new concept from Finland that Nele discovered at the last Caravan Salon.

The Karoo caravan combines futuristic design with Scandinavian functionality, and it might just answer the question many EV drivers keep asking themselves: how do you camp electric without being glued to the charging station the whole time?

Want to hear Nele's full conversation with Maximilian Leroux? You'll find the entire podcast episode on all the usual platforms, or right here:

Aerodynamics meets transformer principle

Maximilian Leroux, who handles everything at Karoo from purchasing to production to dealer relations, explains how the company started. The founder originally came from the construction industry and set out to build a trailer where all the tools could fold out like a transformer.

That idea grew into 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 the biggest innovations really is the streamlined shape, which cuts air resistance by around 50% compared to a standard caravan.

With an electric car towing it, consumption comes in at around 30 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 kilometers. A test drive from Helsinki through Lapland to Norway proved it works in real life: a charging stop was needed every 250 kilometers — and according to Leroux, even more range would have been possible.

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Outside and inside at once

The standout feature is the fully opening side wall (gullwing door). Open it up and you instantly get a built-in awning that blends the interior seamlessly into nature. In a small caravan, you're usually either cooped up inside or stuck outside. The Karoo creates a smooth transition between the two.

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Large windows on both sides plus a huge panoramic roof window mean the compact dimensions (5.30 m long, 2.09 m wide) never feel cramped. You can watch the stars at night or listen to the rain drumming on the roof.

If you need it, everything can be blacked out completely. Especially in Finland, where winter darkness weighs on people more than the cold does, light and a bright color scheme play a key role in the design.

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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. According to the website, the Karoo sleeps two adults and two children in total.

The two sliding stools don't just extend the sleeping area — open them up and they become storage space. Flip the lid over and it turns into a small table. A particularly clever touch: the backrest cushion of the bench doubles as storage for a blanket and pillow.

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The kitchen slides out for outdoor use, but also works from inside when the weather turns bad. It comes standard with a gas stove (induction optional) and a sink with a foldable faucet. Below sits a small fridge, and above it, built-in storage.

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Opposite 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 day of hiking, a projector throws movies or shows onto a roll-down screen above the kitchen counter.

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Tech features & smart home

The Karoo also keeps up with modern tech standards:

• Security: A smart alarm system, GPS tracker, and electric lock keep the trailer secure.

• Controls & comfort: All functions run through a touchscreen panel, with built-in Bluetooth speakers for music.

• Energy & climate: Besides a gas/electric heater and a water boiler, a solar panel comes built in from the factory. The onboard battery holds between 2.5 and 5.1 kWh as standard.

Less is more — even when it comes to storage

With all this cleverness, there are of course trade-offs. Nele rightly asked where you're supposed to stow your clothes. Leroux points to the two seat boxes and two 33-liter travel bags that attach magnetically to the ceiling. The kitchen also offers some space for dishes and supplies. Still, some stuff has to stay in the tow vehicle.

So the limited storage space might actually push you toward minimalism. The fridge is small too, more like a hotel minibar. That means either shopping more often or packing more non-perishables.

From prototype to production

The models shown at Caravan Salon are still prototypes (two at the brand's own stand, one at Thule's). The team has already racked up thousands of kilometers with one of them. According to Leroux, the vehicle is technically over 80% finished. What's left is mostly fine-tuning, things like door-closing mechanisms and 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 another 100 kg or so to allow for more payload. EU type approval is coming up in fall, when another prototype will go through stress tests.

If you order now, you lock in your spot in the delivery queue and get a binding delivery date after pre-ordering. Production starts early next year, and the first deliveries will arrive in time for the 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 fair visitors configured around €8,000 worth of extras, things like 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 pretty much in line with what well-equipped caravans from established manufacturers cost these days. Plus, you get long-term savings from lower fuel consumption. Whether you're towing with a gas car, diesel, or EV, the aerodynamic shape cuts drag significantly.

While conventional caravans act like a wall pushing through air, the Karoo redirects it. During test drives through Norwegian mountain roads, the team barely noticed they had a trailer attached.

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Easy to handle

Thanks to its narrow build with a total width of 2.09 m, you can use your car's standard side mirrors. Maneuvering is easy, and since it's fairly lightweight, you can even push the caravan by hand if needed.

Especially handy for spontaneous stops: you just pull over at a nice spot, open the side door, take in the view, brew a coffee, and head off again. That flexibility is really the whole point of the concept.

Conclusion: daring to innovate

The Karoo caravan proves there's still room for completely new approaches, even in an established industry. The mix of Finnish design, smart multifunctionality, and EV compatibility makes it especially appealing if you want to travel electric without giving up camping comfort.

You can find more information at www.karoocamper.com/de/karoo-camper-wohnwagen/.