Winnebago’s eRV2 electric motorhome is on display at the European Caravan Salon in Germany this week. The motorhome highlights interior products made by Genesis Products and its European partner, Vohringer.
Because the battery powering the eRV2 is heavy, weighing over 1,000 pounds, Winnebago sought lightweight interior products. Genesis Products Product Manager Nic Bontrager led the supplier’s work.
“Once we understood the need,” Bontrager said, “we sourced VunderTech, an ultra-lightweight engineered panel, from our German partner Vohringer.”
VunderTech is a composite sandwich panel made of partly recycled, light core materials. The panel was selected for primary use in the bathroom, where Genesis engineered five large, curved panels with hidden fasteners. The design reduced the number of pieces needed and lowered the weight.
Genesis said the company carried the concept through the cabinetry, using long, continuous pieces and lightweight aluminum supports to reduce the physical structure needed.
Jon Wenger, president and CEO of Genesis Products, said, “We are here to solve complex problems for our customers and we are looking beyond today – we are already solving for the challenges of the future.”
Inspired by Japanese design principles, Winnebago selected a light bamboo woodgrain for the cabinetry, paired with a soft blue and silver color palette. Genesis color-matched the cabinets across vinyl, HPL and paper laminates. Genesis used a five-axis CNC to create smooth, rounded edges, giving the cabinets distinct curved edges.
For interior trim, Winnebago wanted a high-end automotive look. Genesis manufactured one cohesive piece for the headliner rather than multiple parts. Genesis’ headliner is made of molded Polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, which is up to 50% recycled materials and lighter than traditional wallboard. PET was used for all the interior trim.
