Questions & Answers about CENTAUR
Here you will find answers to the most important questions about CENTAUR – the thermal curtain for vans and campers.
1. Product & Functionality
What is CENTAUR?
CENTAUR is the thermal curtain for vans and campers – the first uncompromising complete solution for insulation, blackout, privacy, and maximum ease of use.
The system combines the thermal performance of a thermal mat with the quick and convenient use of a curtain. Each variant is precisely tailored to the interior geometry of the respective vehicle.
This results in maximum fit, seamless coverage, reliable function, and an aesthetically elegant integration.
What is the difference between CENTAUR and thermal mats?
Thermal mats offer good blackout and insulation values, but must be reinstalled, then removed, and then stowed away every time they are used.
CENTAUR combines this thermal performance with the ease of use of a curtain: ready for use in the vehicle at any time, opened or closed in seconds, without requiring additional storage space.
What differentiates CENTAUR from classic curtains?
Classic curtains offer basic privacy and are quick and easy to operate.
However, they often reach their limits when it comes to blackout, thermal insulation, and clean edge coverage. Gaps often remain at the edges, allowing light to penetrate. In addition, rails, rope hooks, snap fasteners, or other fastenings are usually required, which necessitate permanent interventions in claddings.
CENTAUR combines the operating comfort of a curtain with high thermal performance, complete blackout, and absolute privacy. At the same time, fastening elements are exclusively clamped, plugged, or glued – without drilling or permanent modifications to the vehicle.
Does CENTAUR insulate as well as thermal mats?
CENTAUR is constructively designed for very high thermal insulation performance. The multi-layered structure with insulating padding materials follows a similar basic principle to high-quality thermal mats.
However, a direct comparison is currently hardly meaningful, as both systems are used at different points in the vehicle geometry: Thermal mats are attached directly to the windows, while the current CENTAUR cab divider thermally separates the entire cab from the vehicle area behind it.
A reliable direct comparison will therefore only be possible with future CENTAUR window modules.
Is CENTAUR suitable for everyday use?
Yes. CENTAUR is not only designed for camping but also offers high practical utility in everyday life.
In just a few moments, the system creates privacy and protection from prying eyes – for example, in parking lots, during short stops, or to protect luggage and valuables in the vehicle from prying eyes.
Thus, CENTAUR is a practical component of the vehicle not only when traveling but also in daily use.
Is CENTAUR suitable for camping and overnight stays?
Yes. This is exactly where CENTAUR plays to its strengths.
The system ensures complete blackout, reliable privacy, and strong thermal insulation. At the same time, the high-quality textile surface creates a cozy atmosphere in the vehicle.
When staying overnight, CENTAUR provides protected privacy in just a few moments. It is not apparent from the outside whether anyone is inside. The vehicle remains inconspicuous both day and night - even with the interior lighting switched on.
Why are CENTAUR curtains more expensive than regular curtains?
CENTAUR is not just a thermal curtain, but a holistically developed complete system that combines insulation, blackout, privacy, custom-fit vehicle integration, high operating comfort and complete removability.
For this purpose, high-quality materials, an individually developed multi-layer thermal structure, precise manufacturing in Germany, specially developed fastening solutions and vehicle-specific adapted constructions are used.
The result is a durable, technically powerful and ergonomically sophisticated system of high quality. CENTAUR is not optimized for a single advantage, but developed as a complete and uncompromising overall solution.
2. Installation and Use
Do I have to drill?
No.
CENTAUR is designed for installation without drilling and without permanent alterations to the vehicle.
Depending on the vehicle, rails and brackets are inserted, clamped, or otherwise secured without damaging trim panels, headliners, or the vehicle body.
Can CENTAUR really be removed without leaving any residue?
Yes, with the currently planned mounting solutions, CENTAUR is designed to be removed without permanently altering the vehicle.
This is particularly important for leased vehicles, high-quality interiors, or users who want to return their vehicle to its original condition later.
Depending on the vehicle and mounting type, the effort required for removal may vary.
Is CENTAUR designed for permanent installation in the vehicle?
Yes.
CENTAUR is designed to remain permanently in the vehicle and be ready for use at any time.
The curtain does not have to be constantly assembled and disassembled; when not in use, it can be compactly folded and stored at the side of the vehicle.
This means it is always available without requiring additional storage space.
Can the curtains be washed?
The curtains are generally designed for gentle cleaning.
However, due to their multi-layered construction and integrated components, they should not be treated like an ordinary household curtain.
For regular care, gentle surface cleaning is usually sufficient. More detailed care instructions are provided for each specific product.
3. Vehicles & Development
Why was a cab partition developed in the first place?
For vans and campers, the cab is one of the biggest weak points in terms of privacy, blackout, and thermal insulation.
Large glass surfaces, poorly insulated areas, and the direct transition to the living space mean that a lot of heat enters the vehicle in summer and a lot of cold in winter.
That's why the cab partition was developed as the first CENTAUR module. It offers particularly great practical utility and combines privacy, blackout, and insulation in a single system.
For which vehicles is CENTAUR currently available?
CENTAUR is being developed incrementally for different vehicle platforms.
Currently, the cab partition is available for selected Mercedes-Benz models. Further variants for Volkswagen and other vehicle platforms are under development or in preparation.
An up-to-date overview can be found on the vehicle page or in the roadmap.
Why is CENTAUR not yet available for all vehicles?
CENTAUR is not a universal standard solution.
Every vehicle platform differs in interior geometry, headliner, trim, B-pillars, mounting options, and other structural details.
For fit, function, and operation to work reliably, each variant must be developed, tested, and adapted separately. Therefore, expansion to additional vehicles will be done step by step.
Can I get custom CENTAUR curtains made?
No individual custom-made products are currently offered.
The development effort for a new vehicle platform is comparatively high, as design, fit, mounting, and function must be carefully adapted to the respective vehicle.
New variants are therefore developed as regular series solutions and subsequently offered to other customers.
If your vehicle is not yet available, you can find out about new developments via the roadmap or newsletter.
4. Safety and Construction
Is vehicle safety taken into account during the development of CENTAUR modules?
Yes.
During the development of CENTAUR, care is taken to ensure that the respective solution is integrated into the existing vehicle geometry as cleanly as possible and that existing vehicle functions are not unnecessarily impaired.
Mounting points, trim, headliners, B-pillars and other relevant areas are taken into account on a vehicle-specific basis.
As the bodywork and equipment can vary depending on the vehicle, each variant is developed and tested separately.
Why does CENTAUR not have a TÜV certificate or airbag certification?
CENTAUR is an accessory product and not a component permanently attached to the vehicle structure.
Therefore, no general TÜV approval is provided for the currently offered variants.
A blanket airbag certification for all vehicles and equipment variants would also not be sensible, as airbag systems and interior configurations can differ depending on the vehicle.
During development, care is therefore taken to ensure that the fastening and positioning of the system are considered vehicle-specific and that safety-relevant areas are not impaired as far as possible.
5. Ordering & Availability
Why can't my order always be delivered immediately?
CENTAUR is produced in small batches and is vehicle-specific.
Depending on the version, color, and current demand, it may therefore happen that a product is not immediately available from stock.
In this case, the next batch will be produced or the respective version will be scheduled for production. The current availability and, if applicable, the estimated delivery time will be indicated on the respective product page.
Why is the packaging so plain?
At CENTAUR, the focus is deliberately on the product and not on elaborate disposable packaging.
The packaging is designed to reliably protect the curtain during transport and storage, without unnecessarily increasing material, volume, or costs.
Therefore, wherever possible, functional and resource-efficient packaging is used.
How do I find out about new vehicles and modules?
New vehicle variants and developments will be released gradually.
You can find an overview of planned and currently developed variants in the roadmap.
You can also subscribe to the newsletter to be informed as soon as new vehicles, variants, or products become available.
Why is CENTAUR manufactured in Germany?
CENTAUR is manufactured in small batches in Germany.
This allows development, material selection, manufacturing, and quality control to be closely integrated. At the same time, changes and improvements can be incorporated into ongoing production relatively quickly.
The focus is on high-quality workmanship, reproducible fit, and long-term reliable product quality.