All B-DLs benefit from a lighter-weight furniture construction – although it certainly doesn’t feel it

Hefty old Hymer is getting increasingly fleet of foot these days, with a determined commitment to bringing vehicle weights down while not compromising on its famed bodywork and overall construction qualities.

That’s very much the premise behind the B-DL – DL stands for DynamicLine, the company’s term for the next-generation of B-Class Hymer motorhomes.

The brief was clear: bring the weight down but don’t dare compromise on quality. So Hymer’s long-established PUAL bodyshell construction features, complete with GRP roof and underbody.

 
 

Those headlights – developed in conjunction with Hella – are new and exclusive to Hymer, too. While the lack of the signature Hymer third windscreen wiper has saved around a kilogram.

The key enabler of the lower weight figure, though, is the narrower body – at 2.22m. There’s also a slightly wider habitation door, but it’s quite an initial step up here – some 34cm before you’re on that electric retractable plate.

As is the way these days, there’s a ‘window price’ and a whole caboodle of optional extras – packages as well as individual items – to further tempt you into parting with your cash.

Start with the £3220 Comfort Pack because it’s essential. And, as ever, remember that every factory-fitted option means less total payload, too, although that’s less of an issue with any B-DL model.

The 588 is certainly well positioned to take advantage of its relatively massive 350kg garage payload. Large doors both sides makes access easy, too.

Meanwhile, up at the front there’s a lot of glass in the cab area – excellent for views out whether travelling or on-site.

Also here are Aguti captain’s-style seats with twin armrests. It’s an interesting upholstery, too – Fayon – from a choice of 11 in total, right up to genuine leather.

Swivel those seats (the simplest of operations) and you’re part of a lounge with L-shaped rear seating which can be adapted to a forward-facing travel seat for two. It’s all roomy enough for four to sit around the fixed pedestal leg table.

Overhead, and just beyond the rear seat, there’s also a neat housing that’s just waiting for you to add anything up to a 22in flatscreen TV set.

All B-DLs benefit from a lighter-weight furniture construction – although it certainly doesn’t feel it. And, of course, plenty of traditional Hymer features have been retained.

There’s the usual large wind-up rooflight, just beyond the lounge and directly over the kitchen. While the double floor construction means there’s low-level storage and heating.

Safety features ESP including Traction Plus and Hill Holder are all standard. And, of course, Hymer can claim to be the pioneer of the A-class overcab bed, as far as Europe is concerned.

There are concessions to the UK, too, primarily in the kitchen where Thetford’s Aspire cooker is the focal point. It boasts a dual-fuel hob (three gas rings, one electric hotplate) and a separate oven and grill.

The sink to its right means there’s only drainer space with the cooker lid down, but there’s also a neat lift-up extension to the far left. Also, flip over the loose cover for the sink and you have a food-grade plastic chopping board.

Kitchen storage includes three easy-opening, soft-closing drawers.

If worktop and storage are a little compromised, the kitchen’s saving grace has to be its 160-litre Dometic fridge/freezer with AES (automatic energy selection).

Across from the kitchen, the 588’s washroom features a solid fixed basin and a bench toilet (rather than the swivel-bowl type we see more these days).

There are folding doors for a shower area that’s deliberately not compromised by being directly over the wheelarch.

Up to four can sleep in absolute comfort in the Hymer B-Class DynamicLine 588, thanks to two high-level single beds at the back and that drop-down double bed at the front. All have Hymer mattresses with plastic ‘spring’ supports.

The only possible criticism is at the back where, although access is easy enough via fixed steps, the beds themselves are set high with roof lockers beyond them, so you won’t be able to sit upright in them without hitting your head.