Preston, Lancashire-based Lunar Caravans launched its long awaited pop-top campercar at the Spring Caravan & Camping Show at the NEC in Birmingham, England yesterday. Based on Nissan’s popular NV200 platform and priced at £29,995 the four-berth 1997 kg Vacanza (which includes rotating front seats) represents Lunar’s first foray into the pint sized European campercar market. For an additional £999 buyers can add the “Sport Pack” which includes a TV/Sat 12 volt capability, an external mains socket and a porta potti.
Equipped with Nissan’s 1.5 dCi diesel engine, the 4.4m long and 2.011m wide Vacanza campervan delivers an astounding 50 mpg and amply illustrates the lead that European and Asian manufacturers currently enjoy when it comes to the design and development of smaller and more fuel efficient RV platforms.
However, all is not lost. Canadian company Roadtrek rolled out its pop-top N6-Active RV conversion -- on the Nissan 2500 van platform -- at the National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky, in December 2011. The latter is one of a growing number of small van conversions currently available in the United States. Indeed, specialist U.S. converters have already undertaken conversions of the Ford Transit Connect, Jeep Wrangler and the Honda Element.
The launch of the new Ford Transit van in Q4 and the Fiat Ducato -- badged as the Ram ProMaster -- in Q3 means that RV buyers on this side of the pond may finally begin to see a broader selection of fuel efficient RV platforms.
Vacanza Technical Data: 4 Berths • Vehicle Length 14'5" • Vehicle Width 6'7"• MRO 1675kg • Payload 84kg • MTPLM: 1997kg • 3-burner hob and grill • fridge •
Additional Information: Lunar Caravans Ltd., Sherdley Rd., Lostock Hall, Preston, Lancashire PR5 5JF •
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