hi, I was in the same position, some one then told me about the latest model "Jules Verne" i think isn't going to be through the MB dealers. the only black dash versions i could find were horizons. one piont to note the dealer that finally supplied mine had new models coming in dated for May? Hopefully Nigel can help you further.
The Jules Verne is a Westfalia conversion of the Viano marketed through Westfalia dealers only. On the other hand, the Marco Polo is a Westfalia conversion of a V-Class MPV marketed solely through Mercedes dealers.
I first saw a Jules Verne at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf and have subsequently looked at the VW based Westfalia Kepler One, essentially the same layout and materials as a Jules Verne, in dealers in the UK. I was very disappointed with the quality of the JV and Kepler and in conversations with a contact I met at the Westfalia factory in Rheda- Wiedenbrück, they are regarded as an inferior product.
Rapido, the French Caravan and Motorhome manufacturer, took over Westfalia in 2011 after the German company were about to go bankrupt and they intended to move all production to France (information gleaned from my factory visit when I owned a Fiat based Westfalia camper). But, after considerable resistance from the German end, it was decided to keep all OEM conversions, including the Mercedes Marco Polo and Ford Nugget, in Rheda-Widenbrück. However, the French subsidiary of Rapido, Fleurette, where tasked with the production of the newer non-OEM models such as the Jules Verne and Kepler (although the Fiat conversions are now produced in a new German factory in Gotha.
It is worth bearing in mind that Fleurette products are definitely placed at the cheaper end of caravan and motorhomes available today, whereas Westfalia are traditionally known for very high quality products at the top end of the market. The most surprising aspect of the French produced conversions is their relatively high price when the only significant addition is a fixed toilet. Also, the JV and Kepler are based on the much more utilitarian Viano with the ‘van’ dashboard and plastic seats.
Finally, another advantage of the Marco Polo is the ability to take it to a large network of dealers for servicing and warranty work, whereas the non-OEM vehicles have to be returned to one of the very few Westfalia dealers in the UK for warranty work, etc. For me, if you want a Mercedes based camper van the choice of the Marco Polo is a ‘no brainer’.
