Guy is a car created for the people who work everywhere and benefit from the new hybrid and fully remote workforce made possible by the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve seen one in person and the build quality is impressive. It’s a German designed Swiss Army knife of Dutch design — on wheels.
Ventje starts with a new or used VW Transporter van and uses CNC precision to convert the interior into a multifunctional space for working, lounging, cooking, eating, sleeping and playing. And when the weather is nice, the interior can be transformed into an outdoor seating area. Lift the tailgate and the surprisingly large and functional indoor kitchen becomes equally usable from the outside with drawers that open both inwards and outwards, no conversion required.
The kitchen is equipped with two propane gas burners, a 26 liter electric refrigerator and 10 liters of fresh water. Ventjes are fully insulated and equipped with a diesel heater to keep warm all year round while camping.
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New for 2022 is the option to add two seat belts in the rear, allowing Ventje vans to legally carry an entire family of five while still fitting in a normal parking space. This makes the mini camper useful as a daily driver and still enjoys the more favorable road tax that campers enjoy in Europe.
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Each Ventje contains a leisure battery that supplies 4x USB charging points, 1x 12V connection and 3x 230V European sockets. It is charged on the fly via the alternator and via an optional 180W solar panel mounted on the roof. It also charges when plugged into a campsite. The battery has a 95 Ah capacity, which Ventje says will last “three or four days” before needing to be recharged, allowing for a long weekend without power.
When it comes time to call it a night, Ventje vans can be configured for up to four people. After folding the table and moving a few cushions, the lounge converts into a 140 x 195 cm (55 x 76.8 in) bed for two. The pop-top not only allows you to stand inside, but also creates an extra bed of 120 cm x 200 cm (47 x 80 in).
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A fully equipped Ventje bus starts at around €35,000 when Ventje delivers the second-hand T5 or T6 (customers can also buy their van separately). That price includes all taxes, the costs of the van and the construction of the interior. A Ventje based on a brand new T6.1 costs about €50,000. At the moment Ventjes can only be bought in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, with probably more countries like the UK, Italy and France. Orders placed today will be delivered within six to twelve months.
You can also rent a Ventje if you want to kick the tires first. Something I’ll be doing this summer, so stay tuned for the review.