Monthly Archive for September, 2008

Caravan Show 2008, Lahti Finland - part 2

Bürstner

Bürstner was presenting their new entry level Viseo integrated motorhome. It’s basically the same as Aviano, but with lower equipment level. There are 5 layouts and prices start from 55000 euros in Finland. The base is Fiat Ducato and the basic engine is 2.3-litre 130 hp MultiJet. Exception is the smallest model, which has 2.2-litre 100 hp MultiJet.

Bürstner Viseo

Bürstner Viseo

Bürstner Viseo

Kabe

Kabe showed Travel Master 700 range, which is smaller and cheaper than the Travel Master 750 range. Prices start from 72000 euros in Finland. This new line-up has all the good Kabe winter characteristics.

Kabe Travel Master 700

Kabe Diamant

Related

Caravan Show 2008, Lahti Finland - part 1


Here are some photos from the largest caravan show in Finland. The event took place in Lahti at 19. - 21.9.2008.

Solifer

Solifer is a very popular caravan in Finland and it offers good winter characteristics. The new models have more rounded nose, which makes them easier to tow. Solifer has always emphasized the ease of towing. The large rear light panels follow the current trend.

Solifer

Solifer

Solifer offers a complete range of motorhomes. They are mostly manufactured by Hymer. The most affordable range Action is exactly the same as Carado and Sunlight. The base is Ford Transit. Low-cab models use front wheel drive. Alcove models use rear wheel drive with twim rear wheels. Heater is the most powerful Truma 6EH combi. The range starts from T 601, which is 41950 euros in Finland. The interior looks nice and gives a better impression on quality than the Italian rivals.

Solifer Action

Solifer Action

Jet-X Go is the new integrated range and it really surprised us with good looks and low price. The smallest 503 model (length 605 cm) starts from 67900 euros. The base is Fiat Ducato with 2.3-litre MultiJet 130 hp engine. Heater is Truma Combi 6EH.

Solifer Jet-X Go

Other motorhome ranges in Solifer line-up are Van, Emotion, and GT. They are all low cab models. Van and Emotion uses Ford Transit base and GT uses Fiat Ducato. Compact 323 is a smallest motorhome with sheet metal walls.

Related

Kabe motorhomes 2009


Kabe will have two motorhome ranges for 2009. Travel Master 750 is a familiar line-up from last year. Travel Master 700 is a completely new range. They both use Fiat Ducato base.

All Travel Masters are designed for winter use. Heating uses Alde 3010 with 3 kW electric element. The floor heating is based on warm water pipes. Furnitures are designed so that air can circulate freely and warmth is distributed equally.

Travel Master 700

There are 4 layouts and they all have the same external measures: Length 707.5 cm, Width 235 cm, Height 280 cm. The maximum gross weight is 3500 kg or 4000 kg depending on customer requirement. The engine is 2.3-litre 130 hp MultiJet.

Kabe Travel Master 700

700L model has an L-shaped kitchen with double bed. 700B offers separate beds. The 700GL and 700GL models have large garage. 700 GL has separate beds and 700GT has double bed. 700 range is more affordable and has less accessories than the Travel Master 750.

Kabe Travel Master 700 Interior

Fresh and waste water tanks are located inside to prevent them to become frozen. Their capacity is 90 litres.

Travel Master 750

There are 10 different layouts to choose from. External measures are the same for each model: Length 752 cm, Width 235 cm, Height 280 cm. The maximum gross weight is either 3500 kg or 4250 kg. This range uses Al-Ko chassis. The engine is 3-litre 157 hp MultiJet.

Kabe Travel Master 750

Kabe Travel Master 750 Interior

T@B XL caravan for 2009


The sweet T@B line continues with three different layouts for 2009: the original small T@B, L, and XL. The original model is available as a standard RS320 model or off-road version.

T@B 320RS

T@B-320 & Off-Road

This is the original model that started the T@B line few years ago. The body length without the gas bottle locker is 312 cm. The curb weight with basic equipment is 550 kg and the maximum gross weight is 800 kg. The maximum can be increased to 1000 kg (standard in Off-road). Starting price for the caravan is 7390 euros in Germany. Off-road model starts from 8990 euros.

There are several exterior color kits available and two options for interior fabrics. Off-road model has an Adventure kit styling as standard. Heating with Truma S 2002 is an option for 522 euros. Dometic 40 litre fridge costs additional 816 euros. Al-Ko Trailer Control is available also for this smallest T@B for 685 euros although it is not really necessary.

T@B L

T@B-L

T@B L starts from 14 290 euros is Germany and offers layout designed for two persons. The internal body length is 394 cm. The curb weight with basic equipment is 1000 kg and the maximum gross weight is 1200 kg. The maximum figure can be raised to 1300 kg.

Heating is based on Truma S 3002. Fridge is 86 liter Dometic model. Fresh water tank holds 45 litres and wamr water capacity is 10 litres. Toilet unit is Thetford C-250 S. There are 9 lights operated from 12 V supply. There are 5 sockets for 230 V. The 12 V optional packet provides 16 A charger with integrated 10 A solar control module. The 80 Ah gel battery is suitable for solar charging.

Cool Blue and Red Hot color themes offer two choices for interior fabrics.

T@B XL

T@B-XL 510 DS

The largest XL model with twin axels is the luxury model. Tabbert says it represents an “American Way of Life” style and this really shows in the photo above. The room design is light and open. The interior combines materials like fine leather, teak or wenge and metal. Leather interior is 3900 euros extra. Starting price for XL is 37500 euros in Germany.

The kitchen has an aluminium front and the drawers are self-extracting. The bath interior is wood with metal accents. The lounge area has an optional electric fireplace. It provides a bit of warmth (max 1.5 kW), but it is not designed for heating. It mainly creates the atmosphere. Fireplace price is 2000 euros. The optional media package has 18 ich flat screen TV and DVD-player. Speaker system has also a sub-woofer. Standard price for the media package is 2600 euros.

The body length without the gas bottle locker is 507 cm. The curb weight with basic equipment is 1485 kg. The maximum gross weight is 1800 kg and it can be increased to 2000 kg. The chassis is Al-Ko AKS with Trailer Control stability system. Standard steadies have big foots, which is really handy on soft terrain. The Skyview window is electrically controlled.

Kitchen has 90 litres Dometic fridge. The cooker has 2 burners. Fresh water tank holds 45 litres. Truma Combi 4 kW takes care of the heating. There is 10 litre capacity for the hot water. Alde water pipe heating is available for 2550 euros.

Waste water tank holds 27 litres. There is integrated 10 A solar controller, so fitting a solar panel is easy. Battery is 80 Ah gel unit, which is suitable for solar charging. Toilet unit is Thetford C-250 S.

Electric system provides 16 A automatic charging system with the 12 V power supply package. There are 6 socket outlets for 230 V.

Polar caravans 2009


Polar has introduced several refinements throughout the entire range. There are no completely new models except the special 1000 series. All the caravans have new front, which is more aerodynamic than before. This makes the towing easier and more stable. The lid of the new gas bottle box has a lift mechanism.

Interiors have received a face-lift. There’s a new collection of curtains and upholstery to choose from. Polar says that the floor heating system is improved from previous models. Polar has always focused on good winter characteristics and heating has been one of the strong points in Polar line-up. All the models use Alde 3010 water heating system. Insulation thickness is 37 mm in the roofs and walls with EPS material and 44 mm in the floor.

The range

The new 1000 special series let’s you choose the external color scheme. The interior presents a Scandinavian feel with new material oak veneer. Other models in the range are 520, 560, 590, 620, 680, and 730. All the models are 254 cm wide providing plenty of space for mobile living.

The smallest model 520 has an internal length of 507 cm and weights 1250 kg in minimum configuration. There are two layouts available.

The 560 is the most popular model in the range. The internal body length is 563 cm. The minimum weight is 1310 - 1340 kg depending on the layout. There are five layouts available.

The 590 is a spacious family caravan with internal body length of 591 cm. The minimum weight is 1345 - 1425 kg. There are six layout available.

The 620 has 8 layouts to choose from. The internal length is 619 cm and the minimum weight 1485 - 1585 kg. The living room of the 620 CTXLR was introduced in the Åre 2007 concept model.

The 680 has 7 layouts available. The internal length is 675 cm and the minimum weight 1535 - 1650 kg.

The 730 has 5 layouts available. The internal length is 731 cm and the minimum weight 1725 - 1800 kg.

Rapido 2009 motorhomes

Rapido has published 2009 models and there are several new layouts available.

Serie 7

Serie 7 is a low profile range and it’s based on Fiat Ducato. There are 4 models available: 703 (length 5.99 m), 707 (length 5.99 m), 746 (6.49 m), and 783 (6.99 m). Layouts are the same than last year. The rear of the Serie 7 is newly designed with new rear lights. This is the most economical range in Rapido line-up. Still the models are very well equipped. For example waste water tank is insulated and heated with air. All models have pre-installed cables for reverse camera and DVD player. The basic engine is 2.3 litre MultiJet with 130 hp.

Serie 70

Serie 70 is a low profile range and it’s based on Fiat Ducato with Al-ko base. There are the same 4 models available than last year: 7086, 7090, 7097, and 7099. The shortest one (6.99 meters) is the 7086. Other models are 7.39 m in length. Furniture style is updated and kitchen is newly designed. Reversing camera with 7 inch color display comes as a standard. Refrigerator is 150 litre unit in all models. The basic engine is 2.3 litre MultiJet with 130 hp.

Serie 70dF

70dF range has double floor in all models. All the available 4 models are new for 2009. Base is Fiat Ducato with Al-ko. The length of 7083dF is 6.9 meters. Other models (7066dF, 7092dF, and 7095dF) are 7.39 meters. Furniture style is the same with Serie 70. The double floor is divided into compartments of various sizes. They can be accessed from both the indoors and outside. Water, electricity and gas circuits utilize the double floor. The basic engine is 2.3 litre MultiJet with 130 hp.

Rapido 70+

Serie 70+

Serie 70+ has one new model 7099+ for the 2009. The rest of the range is 7065+, 7090+, and 7096+. These low profile motorhomes use Fiat Ducato base with Al-ko. Kitchen and furniture are newly designed as in other 70 models. The kitchen has a back-lit bar for glasses. Reversing camera comes as a standard accessory. The Fiat front grill has a new Rapido smile look. Metallic gray bodywork is available. Bed cover is new. There’s pre-installed wiring for EFOY fuel cell (CaravanPress: Rapido provides EFOY fuel cell as a standard equipment). The basic engine is 2.3 litre MultiJet with 130 hp.

Rapido 9F

Serie 9F

Serie 9F has only two models. 903F is new for 2009 and 983F is familiar from last year. The length of 903F is only 5.99 meters. 983F is 6.99 meters. 9F is A-class range. Kitchen is newly designed and it has a back-lit bar. Rear light pillars and the face are also newly styled. Bed cover is new. The basic engine is 2.3 litre MultiJet with 130 hp

Serie 90dF

Serie 90dF is massive with 12 different models. These A-class models use Fiat Ducato base with Al-ko. New models for 2009 are 9010dF, 9065dF, 9092dF, 9095dF, 9099dF, and 9009dFH. Other models are 9048dF, 9083dF, 9086dF, 9090dF, 9096dF, and 9097dF. Four different available lengths are 6.49 m, 6.99 m, 7.39 m, and 7.99 m. 90dF models have new face just like 9F models. Furniture and kitchen are newly designed. The cabin seats offer super comfort with additional foam, which is good news for all who like extra soft seats. The double floor has several compartments and they can be accessed from indoors and outside. There is an option to replace the cabin bed with cupboards. 90dF has also new bed cover.

Alde heating, which perates via water pipes and radiators is available on the 9086dF and 9090dF. The benefit of Alde heating is the even distribution of the heat. 9009dFH is a Heavy model and it has EFOY fuel cell, 190 litre fresh water tanks, and second leisure area battery as a standard.

Rapido 9M

Serie 9M

Serie 9M has also 12 models and they all use Mercedes base. New models for 2009 are 991M, 966MH, and 996MH. Other models are 966M, 983M, 986M, 990M, 992M, 996M, 997M, 999M, and 992MH. H designates heavy models. They all have EFOY fuel cell, 190 litre fresh water tanks (except 996MH 90 litres), and second leisure area battery as a standard. Furniture and kitchen are new. There is an option to replace the cabin bed with cupboards. 90dF has also new bed cover.

Reverse camera comes as a standard. All models have gel coat finish to give luxurious look. Four cylinder engine provides 150 hp and torque of 330 Nm at 1200 rpm. The six cylinder engine outputs 184 hp and 400 Nm torque at 1600 rpm.

2009 Motorhome & Caravan previews


We will be publishing 2009 model previews from several brands during the following days and weeks. You can find the updated preview list also from the sidebar. Here are currently published previews: