Clever Celebration Light 4x4 (Poessl Globecar Group) New 4x4 Van Conversion

Wombles

Wombles

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A few years now
Spotted that Clever (part of the Poessl Group like Globecar) have just launched a 4x4 PVC which might be of interest to some adventuring Funsters?! Not on their website https://www.clever-mobile.de/ yet but announced on Facebook & on display at the Liepzig Show in Germany:

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Clever base models are very keenly priced but the extras add up quickly when we looked at them previously - looks like the base price of the 4x4 version starts at €45980 but show model is €53328.
 
Nicky and I like that Karen (y)

That said, we just picked up our new Globecar PVC on Saturday which if I recall correctly was the one which you mentioned a few months ago.

I wouldn't mind a 4x4.

We looked at the Hymer Merc 4x4 option and it had an RRP of £87,000 fully loaded so circa £60,000 is a real bargain IMO.

Great post-up (y)
 
Blue Knight said:
Nicky and I like that Karen (y)

That said, we just picked up our new Globecar PVC on Saturday which if I recall correctly was the one which you mentioned a few months ago.

I wouldn't mind a 4x4.

We looked at the Hymer Merc 4x4 option and it had an RRP of £87,000 fully loaded so circa £60,000 is a real bargain IMO.

Great post-up (y)
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Congratulations & great to read in the other thread you are pleased with your Summit layout & the Globecar build quality (y) I did suggest it but then we are biased having the 6m version :giggle:
The market for van conversions is so competitive on the continent which is reflected in the pricing & their core customers seem to be a tad younger than in the UK so something that is exciting like a 4x4 model to go on adventures is probably mostly aimed at them - sure we have some adventuring Funsters on here too though!

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Yes, I also like the idea of a 4x4 pvc.

However, I had an unpleasant surprise a couple of months ago in our van. Going through a small Spanish village and slowed right down - less than 10 mph - to negotiate a speed ramp. There was a loud crash; the low-slung electric step had struck the hump!

I said to Mrs mikebeaches - who'd just screamed at the deafening noise - don't worry the step is robust and we were going very slowly. However, my optimism was misplaced as I quickly discovered on stopping and trying to operate the step. Just a loud grunting sound and juddering - but no step moving in or out! :(

We were extremely fortunate to get it fixed a little over a couple hours later at Hispavan, at Antas, Vera, Almeria. Initially thought replacement step required - expensive ££££ - but after stripping it down, the workshop manager said they reckoned they could fix it - which they did, after showing it to me all in parts. I thought I'd got off reasonably lightly with a bill for €95 euro (circa £84) and the sheer convenience of getting it repaired so quickly.

That is a long-winded way of saying 'they ain't got much ground clearance', as I found to my cost. :whistle:

Wonder if the 4x4 has a bit more?
 
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@mikebeaches would think that the 4x4 has more ground clearance but currently very little about it on the web as only just launched - sure there will be much more info. (on German sites at least) soon so will keep an eye out for any more photos or info. & post here :)
 
CazPaul said:
Cracking price that for the 4x4 version, like @Blue Knight says the Merc 4x4 is extremely expensive.
Worth a look.
Click to expand...

We would consider one for sure Paul.

I've said it before but the Merc chassis in PVC guise is just too narrow but the Fiat, well, that gets my vote.:)
 
Had a look on Mobile.de & currently just one listing Broken Link Removed probably for one of those at the Show but gives some spec. info. - 18 inch wheels!
 
mikebeaches said:
That is a long-winded way of saying 'they ain't got much ground clearance', as I found to my cost. :whistle:

Wonder if the 4x4 has a bit more?
Click to expand...

I looked under our new Fiat today (maxi chassis with 16" wheels) and the only thing that impairs the good ground clearance is the huge electric step.

If the 4x4 variant adds just 2-inches then it will become quite a formidable vehicle.

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Blue Knight said:
I looked under our new Fiat today (maxi chassis with 16" wheels) and the only thing that impairs the good ground clearance is the huge electric step.

If the 4x4 variant adds just 2-inches then it will become quite a formidable vehicle.
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La Strada have done a few one offs on the Dangel 4x4 for quite a few years now, also seen a Westfalia Columbus on the Fiat 4x4.

I saw a review quite a few years ago when one was imported into the UK and the Dangel system went faulty. No one in the UK could fix it and it had to go back to Dangel in France to get repaired, so that is a consideration.
Also I have heard the 4x4 system is not a patch on the merc 4x4.
 
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CazPaul said:
La Strada have done a few one offs on the Dangel 4x4 for quite a few years now, also seen a Westfalia Columbus on the Fiat 4x4.

I saw a review quite a few years ago when one was imported into the UK and the Dangel system went faulty. No one in the UK could fix it and it had to go back to Dangel in France to get repaired, so that is a consideration.
Also I have heard the 4x4 system is not a patch on the merc 4x4.
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Very interesting indeed Paul.

We once had a fleet of upgraded Merc G-Wagons which IMO had excellent 4x4 running gear but after 3 years of use the electric systems on the vehicle would usually break. We sold the lot and bought V8 Landcruisers instead.
 
If you want ground clearance then full air suspension is what you need. :)
 
DBK said:
If you want ground clearance then full air suspension is what you need. :)
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Yes but that is almost as expensive as the 4x4 system in the clever van.

I would have to find out something about the reliability of the system first, does it need regular maintenance for one?

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This is the ground clearance on the Grand Canyon 4x4 @Blue Knight

But 87000 euros new as opposed to 55000 for the clever dangle system.

Hymer 4x4 grand canyon.jpg
 
The Dangel system is a awd system not designed for all terrain use .
It does not have a high/low transfer , and has a central viscous coupling like the Freelander 1 They were found to have a limited lifetime , and when they fail they lock and can cause damage to the other components as they are not capable of handling the high torque. They also seem to just convert normal ground clearance vehicles , rather than have a specialised 4x4 H/D chassis . Tyre wear has to be equalised quite particularly , and a full new set fitted at a time . This would go quite a way to explaining the "cheap" price when compared with the Mercedes or Iveco 4x4 factory options as there is no real comparison .
Dangel also seems to be very concerned with gross vehicle weight not being exceeded !
If you want a system for getting off wet grass then might be worth considering , but not much beyond that JMHO
 
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tacr2man said:
The Dangel system is a awd system not designed for all terrain use .
It does not have a high/low transfer , and has a central viscous coupling like the Freelander 1 They were found to have a limited lifetime , and when they fail they lock and can cause damage to the other components as they are not capable of handling the high torque. They also seem to just convert normal ground clearance vehicles , rather than have a specialised 4x4 H/D chassis . Tyre wear has to be equalised quite particularly , and a full new set fitted at a time . This would go quite a way to explaining the "cheap" price when compared with the Mercedes or Iveco 4x4 factory options as there is no real comparison .
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Yes as I explained I heard it wasn't a patch on other systems but that's a very detailed explanation, good info.(y)
 
mikebeaches said:
Yes, I also like the idea of a 4x4 pvc.

However, I had an unpleasant surprise a couple of months ago in our van. Going through a small Spanish village and slowed right down - less than 10 mph - to negotiate a speed ramp. The was a loud crash; the low-slung electric step had struck the hump!

I said to Mrs mikebeaches - who'd just screamed at the deafening noise - don't worry the step is robust and we were going very slowly. However, my optimism was misplaced as I quickly discovered on stopping and trying to operate the step. Just a loud grunting sound and juddering - but no step moving in or out! :(

We were extremely fortunate to get it fixed a little over a couple hours later at Hispavan, at Antas, Vera, Almeria. Initially thought replacement step required - expensive ££££ - but after stripping it down, the workshop manager said they reckoned they could fix it - which they did, after showing it to me all in parts. I thought I'd got off reasonably lightly with a bill for €95 and the sheer convenience of getting it repaired so quickly.

That is a long-winded way of saying 'they ain't got much ground clearance', as I found to my cost. :whistle:

Wonder if the 4x4 has a bit more?
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Lol, same thing happened to my V55, except it was a concealed stone in some grass - I was wilding to save money, haha. Cost me about 400 pounds, new step needed but existing brackets OK.:rolleyes:
 
Info. about the Dangel 4x4 system here https://www.dangel.com/en - listed for Citroen Jumper (Relay), Peugeot Boxer & Fiat Ducato - they offer a 2 year warranty that can be extended up to 5 years on their website but don't know if that extension is possible on the Clever model.

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Do you get a step ladder in order to be able to get in and out easily ... it's bad enough with 16" wheels never mind 18"!
 
Its not a 4x4 system though is it?
This is what it translates to.

''A longer Comfort Spring is installed on the Front Axle, which lifts the "Nose" by about 40 mm and offers an increased Driving Comfort.
Now it gets even better: At the Rear Axle you have Choices from one:
Additional spiral spring to Optimize Driving Behaviour, with Height installation by about 45 mm
VB airsuspension auxiliary Air Spring with 2 Channel control for the demanding Travel Property. With the auxiliary air spring system, You achieve a high Degree Of flexibility with Even a significant increase in the suspension comfort''
 
mikebeaches said:
Yes, I also like the idea of a 4x4 pvc.

However, I had an unpleasant surprise a couple of months ago in our van. Going through a small Spanish village and slowed right down - less than 10 mph - to negotiate a speed ramp. There was a loud crash; the low-slung electric step had struck the hump!

I said to Mrs mikebeaches - who'd just screamed at the deafening noise - don't worry the step is robust and we were going very slowly. However, my optimism was misplaced as I quickly discovered on stopping and trying to operate the step. Just a loud grunting sound and juddering - but no step moving in or out! :(

We were extremely fortunate to get it fixed a little over a couple hours later at Hispavan, at Antas, Vera, Almeria. Initially thought replacement step required - expensive ££££ - but after stripping it down, the workshop manager said they reckoned they could fix it - which they did, after showing it to me all in parts. I thought I'd got off reasonably lightly with a bill for €95 euro (circa £84) and the sheer convenience of getting it repaired so quickly.

That is a long-winded way of saying 'they ain't got much ground clearance', as I found to my cost. :whistle:

Wonder if the 4x4 has a bit more?
Click to expand...
I took our step off our PVC for that reason, too low and frequently grounding. We use a portable one which doubles up as a footstool now. Kept it incase we sell the van in future.
Phil
 
CazPaul said:
Its not a 4x4 system though is it?
Click to expand...

I quite like it for the 'Puff Daddy Pimp My Ride Look', but I'm not entirely sure what benefit it will be over a conventional heavy chassis with 16" alloys.

Those grippy tyres will be slightly better than the standard tread pattern but (IMO) would only come into their own if all four wheels were driving the van.

If I had the choice then I would probably opt for the 4WD system to begin with - it would probably the same cost too.

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Blue Knight said:
I quite like it for the 'Puff Daddy Pimp My Ride Look', but I'm not entirely sure what benefit it will be over a conventional heavy chassis with 16" alloys.

Those grippy tyres will be slightly better than the standard tread pattern but (IMO) would only come into their own if all four wheels were driving the van.

If I had the choice then I would probably opt for the 4WD system to begin with - it would probably the same cost too.
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Yes agree Andrew, I think @Wombles said it was 4 grand to get it so if buying new may as well just pay for the 4x4 version.
 
gillnphil said:
I took our step off our PVC for that reason, too low and frequently grounding. We use a portable one which doubles up as a footstool now. Kept it incase we sell the van in future.
Phil
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Interesting! Removing the step sounds like a pretty good idea, but I don't think Mrs mikebeaches would let me take it off - she likes it too much. ;) :)
 
CazPaul said:
Yes agree Andrew, I think @Wombles said it was 4 grand to get it so if buying new may as well just pay for the 4x4 version.
Click to expand...

I would definelty consider a new Fiat 4x4 as per Karen's @Wombles original post Paul. Much will depend on how we get on at the back end of the year with our choice of trips and tours etc.
 

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