imotorhome because getting there is half the fun... magazine BREATH OF FRESH Winnebago brings Euro style to the streets EYREReview and images by Richard Robertson
Australian motorhomes have traditionally been styled along American lines because many early design and engineering influences emanated from US shores. Both our countries enjoy wide open spaces and the emphasis has usually been on vehicle real estate and perceived bang-for-your-buck. European influence is a more recent phenomenon, reflecting increasingly sophisticated consumer tastes and a general downsizing of motor vehicles as roads become more crowded and the cost of fuel soars. In recent years Australian motorhome manufacturers have begun to embrace Euroinfluence in their designs and the Winnebago Eyre is a good example of a vehicle that marks a watershed in design for its maker. Euro To Go... The Eyre is a B-Class motorhome that rides on Fiat s stylish and popular Ducato cab-chassis. Made specifically as a motorhome base vehicle by Fiat in Italy, the Ducato has a low ride height, high load carrying capacity (by class standards) and one of the most powerful turbodiesel engines available in an Australian-made motorhome.
Typically Italian in looks and performance the Ducato also boasts a high degree of safety, including dual front airbags and anti-lock disc brakes with integrated traction and electronic stability controls. These passive and active safety features work behind the scenes, but in the cab this is no bread-and-butter commercial vehicle. Remote central locking, power steering, electric windows and mirrors, air-conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, Bluetooth and a trip computer are some of the standard features fitted. Under the bonnet the Ducato has a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that is both powerful and fuel efficient. Rated at 115 kw and 400 Nm and mated to a six-speed automated manual transmission or AMT (basically a manual gearbox with a computer that changes gears for you) it s also capable of delivering around 10-litre/100km fuel figures in regular touring conditions. Facts and figures aside, the Ducato-based Eyre is an enjoyable motorhome to drive. The engine is powerful and smooth and the AMT shift equally smoothly, although it does take a little getting used to, compared with a normal full-automatic transmission. The driving position provides excellent visibility and the combination of a long wheelbase, wide track and low ride-height provide secure and predictable handling. Stepping Inside... Sleek, long and low, the Eyre is a good looking machine that attracts attention as you travel. Stepping inside you find the dining table directly ahead and the lounge area to your left. The kitchen is to the right and beyond it, the bathroom and bedroom at the rear. In layout terms this is pretty conventional, but there s a lot about the Eyre that isn t. For starters, there s an enormous skylight directly above the front cab seats that floods the cab and dinette with Fiat s Ducato is a good choice, with a low floor height that doesn t require an entry step.
You could easily forget the Fiat Ducato is a light commercial vehicle!
The dinette seats up to five, but table space is more limited. It also converts to a second bed. sunlight, but can be shaded or closed off as required. Also unusual in this class and vehicle is an extra seat behind the front passenger seat that faces inwards, towards the dinette. The shower and toilet/powder room are separate, which is usually the province of larger vehicles, while the bed is one of the most unusual I ve come across, but more on that later. Outside, the Eyre has a large boot that can be accessed from both sides and through a large rear door, as well as a couple of extra storage lockers that can even handle things like fishing rods. And if you re into the great outdoors you ll certainly appreciate the external hot-and-cold shower, plus the wind-out awning. After Hours To maximise space the designers at Winnebago have incorporated swivelling front seats into the lounge/dinette design. Combined with a fixed, forward-facing dinette seat that is also seatbelt equipped for two (and the afore-mentioned inwards-facing side seat), up to five people can sit around with a drink at the end of the day. If all five want to stay for dinner it is possible thanks to a highly adjustable dining table, but actual table space would be in short supply. The Eyre has what is known as a galley-style kitchen, which means it straddles both sides of the vehicle s central aisle. Because it s aft of the entry door, people coming or going from the lounge area won t disturb the cook, unless they want something from the fridge. Compact but well equipped, the kitchen s main work area is on the driver s side, right behind the dinette. Squeezed into quite
a small area is a three-burner gas cooktop and a deep bowl sink with lift-up flick-mixer tap; both with heavy-duty glass lids that provide valuable additional workspace when the units aren t in use. This is just as well, because work bench space is at an absolute premium, although there is also a recessed, circular draining board between the sink and cooker that can also double as work space. There s also a small rangehood above the cooker. An under-bench slideout pantry, a deep corner cupboard and three drawers (plus a single overhead cupboard) provide reasonable storage space; while across the aisle are a tall 150-litre fridge/freezer and a Sharp convection microwave. The Dometic fridge features Automatic Energy Selection Bench space is limited but every inch is used to maximum efficiency. The bathroom door swing open to provide privacy if required.
(AES), which means it switches itself between 12v electric, LPG and mains power depending on what s available. Having a convection microwave is a great idea as the Eyre has no oven or grill and at least this allows for more than just onepot wonders at meal times. And just so you don t miss your favourite shows or movies while travelling, in the cupboard above the microwave is a flat-screen TV with inbuilt DVD player. Mounted on an ingenious slide-out-folddown-and-twist-around arm, it can be easily viewed from the lounge, but only partially viewed from the bedroom.
The TV/DVD player tucks ingeniously away, above the microwave, while the separate shower is a great feature in a vehicle this size. After Hours Immediately aft of the kitchen, two cylindrical towers guard the entry to the Eyre s bedroom: The one to the left being the shower and the one right housing a powder room and loo. The shower is a decent size and has an opaque door to help it feel more spacious, while the powder room is nicely appointed with plenty of lights and mirrors, plus decent storage space. The toilet is a Dometic swivel-head unit and it s defiantly a plus have the loo separate from the shower. However, it s the Eyre s bedroom that is its eyepopping party trick. Central to it literally is a pedestal bed that seems to float in the air, a metre or more off the floor. Semi-spiral stairs sweep up both sides, providing good access, while small bedside cupboards form something of a recessed bedhead, complete with reading lights and plenty of storage for books, ipods and knickknacks. For easier stair access the mattress has rounded corners at the foot-end. The shape probably won t suit taller people but you could probably
The separate powder room/loo is nicely finished and better than the usual all-in-one bathroom. fit a more conventional shaped mattress if desired and still have sufficient side access room. However, it s what s beneath the bed that is one of the most innovative features I ve seen in any motorhome. Lifting the bed-base on its gas struts reveals, of all things, a walkin wardrobe complete with hanging space, drawers and shelves! Initially I thought it more gimmick than substance, but my wife quickly dispelled my male-orientated disbelief (and to be honest, what do I know about wardrobes?). It makes good use of available space, provides more hanging space than most and far easier access than trying to reach into the back of a deep wardrobe cupboard. You can also access it quite well without lifting the bed. I should note that Winnebago offers an Eyre floorplan with high-mounted single beds at the rear and loads of storage beneath, although it loses the walk-in wardrobe in favour of a more conventional setup between the beds. Also, in both Eyre floorplans the dinette can be converted to a supplementary double bed, so it can sleep four, but it s probably better suited to kids. Final Thoughts The Eyre marks an interesting departure for Winnebago, which has traditionally been far more American-focused in its designs. It s long, low and sleek, and is well suited to Fiat s excellent Ducato cab-chassis. Inside, the design innovation continues and for the most part it not only looks good, it functions well too. The bed/ bathroom set-up is its design focal point and I like the option
of single beds for those not quite up to sleeping on a pedestal. All-in-all it s a refreshing change from a largely conservative manufacturer and could be the start of a new design trend for them. I guess you could call it a breath of fresh Eyre... The high-mounted bed is accessed by spiral stairs on both sides, but the shape won t suit taller people.
The bed lifts to reveal a walk-in wardrobe that can also be accessed with the bed in place. Clever!
Specifications Manufacturer Winnebago Industries Model Eyre Lowline Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato X250 Engine 3.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel Power 115 kw @ 3500 rpm Torque 400 Nm @ 1700 rpm Gearbox AMT 6 speed Brakes Disc ABS Tare Weight 3432 kg Gross Vehicle Mass 4490 kg Licence Car Passengers 4 External Length 7.597 m External Width 2.423 m External Height 2.785 m Internal Height 1.984 m Rear Bed Size 1980 mm x 1540 mm Cooktop Dometic 3-burner gas Fridge Dometic 3-way 150 litre Microwave Sharp Convection Gas 2 x 4.0 kg Lighting 12V Fluoro/halogen/LED Batteries 2 x 100 AH Solar Panels Optional Air Conditioner Standard Hot Water Heater Truma 14-litre Toilet Dometic cassette 19-litres Shower Flexible hose, variable height Heater Optional Fresh Water Tank 124-litres Grey Water Tank 124-litres Price $134,990 + ORC Copyright 2013 imotorhome.com.au All rights reserved. Pros Excellent Fiat Ducato Fuel efficient Good looks Stylish interior Innovative design Cons Bed short for tall people Limited kitchen bench space No reversing camera Contact Winnebago Industries 32 David Road, Emu Plains. NSW. 2750 Ph: 1800 102 201 (Aus) Ph: 0800 946 643 (NZ) W: www.winnebago.com.au Click for Google Maps
imotorhome because getting there is half the fun... magazine Italian Holiday Testing Sunliner s Holiday on Iveco s capable Daily cab-chassis... Review and images by Malcolm Street
Anyone vaguely familiar with the Sunliner range of motorhomes will know they offer a wide range of motorhomes, from the van-based Vida to the luxury Monte Carlo: Just about something for every taste and budget. Fitting more into the budget end of the market, but still a coachbuilt motorhome, is the Holiday. To be specific: The G53 model. It s a motorhome designed mainly for two people but does have both travel seating and beds for four. Unmistakably Sunliner, the Holiday rides on Iveco s excellent Daily cab-chassis, which is built in the same factory as the Fiat Ducato.
The Daily is a non-nonsense workhorse with a touch of Italian style. A simple latch holds the door open to stop it hitting the window. The Vehicle Sunliner builds its motorhomes on a range of cab-chassis and ours was on an Iveco Daily 45C18. It comes with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel motor that delivers 130 kw of power and 400 Nm of torque. All that drives through a sixspeed Agile gearbox, which is Iveco speak for an automated manual transmission (AMT). A driver s air bag is standard on an Iveco Daily, but Sunliner has taken the option of a passenger air bag as well. In some ways, the Iveco Daily is a bit like its Italian stable
The cab is functional if not lavish, but has good equipment levels and is comfortable. mate the Fiat Ducato, which isn t surprising given they come out of the same factory. The major differences being that whilst the Ducato is front wheel drive, the Daily is rear wheel drive and the Daily is available with heavier load capacities. In both cases they have a fair chunk of the motorhome market in Europe, which makes them fairly motorhome friendly from both a manufacturer s and user s point of view. In converting the motorhome Sunliner added a fully-welded sub-chassis, which they call Torquo, to the main Iveco chassis rails. According to Sunliner this was done to improve both the vehicle handling and general weight distribution. For the body, Sunliner use one-piece walls and a roof that uses a bonded Duplo foam-core structure that is designed to give insulation and strength, whilst keeping weight in check. Those familiar with Sunliner motorhomes will immediately recognise the characteristic fibreglass mouldings at the rear, as well as the driver s cab side-steps. Like many a motorhome manufacturer, Sunliner use Seitz hopper windows to full advantage, whilst staying with the convenience of a Camec triple-locker security door. An item of interest here is the door and forward window. Given their proximity, it s not possible to have both the door and window fully open at the same time, but what Sunliner has done is fitted a simple hook-and-eye, such that the door is held open at 90 degrees to the motorhome body. Now this might sound like the bleeding obvious, but it s surprising the number of Recreational
The bed lifts for storage, which can also be accessed from outside. The single house battery seems a cost-cutting measure and looks difficult to reach. Vehicle manufacturers that don t provide this simple arrangement! External body fittings consist of the nearside-wall-fitted Dometic awning and external wall light above the door, whilst the roof features a few items like a windup TV antenna and Air Command Cormorant air conditioner. External storage, apart from the Thetford toilet cassette compartment and the gas cylinder bin, consists of the under-bed area that can be accessed from both the offside door and from the inside, by lifting the bed. It s certainly a convenient arrangement, but can be a problem in very dusty conditions. Hoses and the like should certainly be kept in drip-proof containers, while under the bed is the 100 amp-hour battery and associated charger that are really only accessible from the inside. Out of sight under the rear are corner stabilisers which are a standard Sunliner feature. Whilst most caravans have them, most motorhomes do not. They re not essential, but it s surprising how much rock n roll a heavy footed person going out the door can create, not to mention anything else!
The two 4.0 kg gas bottles are easily reached, as it the toilet cassette. All that built into the Holiday gives it a tare weight of 3555 kg. Given the Daily s gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4490kg, it certainly leaves a more-than-adequate payload capacity. On the Road Given this 3.0-litre turbo-diesel often powers much larger motorhomes; it certainly didn t have any trouble handling the roughly 4000 kg of the test Holiday. In many ways no different from its contemporaries, the AMT gearbox is reasonably smooth on most changes, but has the usual sometimes-slow kickdowns and hesitations at slower speed. Again like
its contemporaries, although it s a light commercial vehicle it s more car-like than trucklike and as long as the usual precautions are taken for a slightly wider and longer vehicle, it really isn t a difficult drive. A reversing camera isn t standard on this model, but I reckon that for cautious drivers or those who wish to avoid marital disputes, one might be a good buy. Living Inside This Holiday design features a mid-side entry door. Inside, the nearside kitchen bench and offside dinette are towards the front and the bedroom and bathroom are to the rear. In a way the interior of the motorhome looks quite plain, doesn t have the usual Sunliner curves and is not done with the usual timber finish, but that is in some ways to do with its budget-driven theme. That doesn t mean it lacks for anything important. Lighting throughout the Holiday is a mixture of halogen and fluorescent fittings, mostly ceiling mounted and the 12V switches are all located conveniently above the doorway. All windows have standard integrated blinds and insect screens and except for the kitchen and bathroom, all the rest have curtains. Up front, the Holiday has a swivelling passenger seat. Iveco s Daily can have both cab seats swivel, but in this case, with a café-style dinette immediately behind the driver s seat, only the passenger seat swivels. In a way, this dinette set-up The passenger seat swivels to provide extra seating. There s plenty of light and fresh air in the Holiday s rear bedroom.
Functional but bland, the Holiday s interior lacks Sunliner s usual pizzazz. negates using the driver s cab area to its fullest; i.e. with both seats turned, but it does mean the dinette can be used comfortably by two people and by four at a pinch. Just a footnote here: I have seen a similar layout in which the owner cut out part of the back of the front seat an interesting compromise that meant the swivelled cab seat could be used in tandem with the dinette seat as a leg rest! Time to Eat Fitted in between the entry door and the passenger seat, the kitchen bench looks quite small, which is mainly because it is. Taking up all
Kitchen bench space basically nonexistent, so expect to frequently use the dining table. the bench top area are a three burner Thetford cooktop and grill/oven, leaving space underneath for four good sized drawers. As with the dinette opposite, a couple of overhead lockers supply the upper storage areas. Slightly offset from the kitchen bench and fitting between the dinette and bedroom is a good sized 175-litre Dometic fridge with a Whirlpool microwave oven above. Given the fridge is floor mounted, the microwave oven is set at a reasonable height and allows for one more overhead locker. After Hours In the rear the east-west bed, with its head against the offside wall, takes up a fair bit of space. Featuring a posture slat bed-base with inner spring mattress, the bed measures 1.75 m x 1.37 m (5 ft 9 in x 4 ft 6 in) unextended and 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) extended. Although the longer length will be adequate for most people, it does cut down the walkway space considerably, while large windows on both sides ensure good cross flow ventilation. Like the dinette, the bed does not have any reading lights, neither does it have a close by
switch for the overhead light, which does seem to me one economy too many. Fitting a swivel-arm mounted TV in this layout was always going to be a bit of a challenge but it fits into the corner created by the wardrobe. That means it can also be seen from the dinette, but viewing angles and seating comfort are certainly compromised. In the space available there isn t going to be a great deal of bedroom storage, but there are three overhead lockers above the bed and a small full-height wardrobe beside the entry door. It has both hanging and shelf space, but the lower area is entirely taken by the hot water heater.
The full-width rear bathroom ads a real feeling of space. Up front the Luton bed, measuring 1.93 m x 0.97 m (6 ft 4 in x 3 ft 2 in) is certainly only for smaller couples or a single sleeper as it s not particularly wide, but does offer a large general storage area. To give easier internal access to and from the front seats, the Luton bed can be lifted up out of the way if not needed. In many motorhomes the bathroom takes up a fair bit of space, both real and perceived. Now the fullwidth rear one in this Holiday certainly takes up space but the perception bit has been improved by having a combination of a sliding door and a concertina curtain to close the bathroom off. Left open, space perception and access is improved, whilst close up, they offer the usual privacy. In the bathroom, filling all the offside corner is the shower cubicle, whilst the Thetford cassette toilet takes up the nearside area and the simply vanity cabinet occupies centre stage. Above the rear wall window is a small shaving cabinet and for those who don t like to bend their necks too much, a larger wall mirror sits above the loo. What We Think In a way the Sunliner Holiday looks a little downmarket from the usual Sunliner products. However, what should be kept firmly in mind is the Holiday is very much aimed at the budget end of the market; maybe in particular for a small family. That said, it does come with a few compromises, yet still has just about everything necessary for enjoying the motorhome lifestyle.
Sunliner s Holiday is small enough to get into out-of-the way places, but big enough for extended touring.
Specifications Manufacturer Sunliner Motorhomes Model Holiday G53 Base Vehicle Iveco 45 C18 Engine 3.0-litre turbo-diesel Power 130 kw @ 3200-3500rpm Torque 400 Nm @ 1250-3000rpm Gearbox 5 speed AMT Fuel Capacity 75-litres Brakes ABS Discs Tare Weight 3555 kg Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg Licence Car Passengers 4 External Length 7.24 m (23 ft 9 in) External Width 2.39 m (7 ft 10 in) Includes awning External Height 2.67 m (8 ft 9 in) Internal Height 2.13 m (7 ft) Internal Height 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) rear area Rear bed size 1.75 m x 1.37 m (5 ft 9 in x 4 ft 6 in) Luton bed size 1.93 m x 0.97m ( 3 ft 2 in) Cooktop Thetford Triplex Fridge Dometic RM 7851 175-litre Microwave Whirlpool Gas 2 x 4.0 kg Lighting 12V Fluro & halogen Batteries 1 x 100 AH Air conditioner Air Command Coromant Hot water heater Truma 14-litre Toilet Thetford cassette Shower Separate cubicle Fresh water tank 120-litres Grey water tank 55-litres Price $143,550* on-road NSW Copyright 2013 imotorhome.com.au All rights reserved. Pros Good internal living length Can be used for family travel Open bathroom area at rear Good internal storage Cons No bed reading lights No light switch near bed Extended bed difficult to move around Small kitchen TV not really viewable from the dinette Contact Australian Motor Homes 31 Pacific Highway Bennetts Green NSW 2290. Ph: 02 4948 0433 Click for Google Maps E: enquiries@australianmotorhomes. com.au W: australianmotorhomes.com.au *On-road prices vary by State.