Fendt Bianco Emotion 445 FH: award-winning lounge caravan

In the Netherlands, Fendt tops the list when it comes to newly sold caravans. The German manufacturer is characterized by solid construction and traditional layouts. With the Fendt Bianco Emotion 445 FH, the Germans suddenly break the mold. And that immediately earns them the predicate 'Caravan of the Year 2019'.

For this test, we are looking at the Fendt Bianco Emotion 445 FH that triumphed in the ANWB 'Caravan of the Year' election. The caravan was developed in collaboration with Design and Technology students from the German university in Rosenheim. And that yields a few nice surprises, especially inside. But first, let's look at the caravan from the outside.

Clever features

At first glance, there is nothing special about the new Fendt Bianco Emotion. The off-white plating on the outside in combination with the gray accents: they all have that, just like the recessed orange side marker lights in the bottom edge of the caravan. We see clever features that we also encounter in other series, such as the slightly higher placed service hatches whose flap no longer touches the muddy ground or wet grass, and the screw cap of the built-in water tank, developed in-house, is also handy. It is attached to the caravan with a cord, so you can't lose it. Simple, but ingenious.

Striking maneuvering handles

Striking are the robust maneuvering handles in the modernly designed rear bumper, which, with carbon accents, gets a real automotive look. In the foam-insulated polyester front, the drawbar box opens almost vertically upwards, allowing easy access to the gas bottles. Typical Fendt, but nothing new yet. What makes the Emotion 445 FH different from other model series is the high window in the middle of the caravan. There is something special behind it. And the extra door at the front also makes you curious. What can we expect behind it?

Lounge area

The first thing that strikes you when you open the door – with a comfortable, lowered entrance – is the layout of the caravan. We naturally walk into a comfortable lounge area, with a slanted cushion that invites you to immediately lie down and read the newspaper. Even from that lazy position, you can look outside through the large window. Opposite the lounge area is a long bench, where you can also sit comfortably.

The second surprise is in the front of the caravan: a high-placed fixed double bed across the full width: yet another lounge area where you can not only sleep, but also relax with your back against the upholstered headboard that reaches the ceiling. And the third surprise is that you can tilt the bed up, so that even two bicycles can be placed in the large luggage compartment underneath – hence the second door on the outside.

Compact kitchen

At the back of the caravan, we find the compact kitchen next to the bathroom with toilet. In terms of upholstery and furniture colors, the choice was made to keep everything light: mainly gray tones, light wood colors, cream cabinet doors with wood and chrome accents; it all looks modern and fresh. At first glance, the Emotion seems like a true two-person caravan, but appearances can be deceiving. Both long benches can be converted into a dinette for two people, by a table that slides out from under the bed. Eating with four people is also possible by extending the table further. And going on holiday with four people? That's also possible: the lounge benches can easily be converted into a second bed.

Installations

Water pipes, air hoses for the ring heating, and electrical wiring are neatly concealed, as always in Fendt caravans. The Truma Combi provides heating and hot water. A clever detail is the outdoor shower installed in the bicycle compartment – handy for hosing down mountain bikes after a ride through the woods.

Result caravan test Fendt Bianco Emotion

The caravan is excellently built and richly equipped with unique Fendt clever features that show that the designers themselves are also campers. With this special layout, Fendt shows that they can also think 'out of the box'. Involving twenty-somethings in the design of a different caravan proved successful, evidenced by its crowning as 'Caravan of the Year 2019'.

PLUS & MIN

+ surprising layout
+ clever details
+ well-thought-out bicycle storage

Technical information

Body length, with drawbar, interior: 679/567/482 cm
Width exterior, interior 232/210 cm
Height exterior/interior 263/195 cm
Bed sizes front (fixed): 140 x 210 cm
Ready-to-drive weight: 1,223 kg
Total permissible: 1,500 kg
Payload: 277 kg

Price € 24,200

More information can be found at www.fendt-caravan.com
View the Fendt range on our website here