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NEWS
Apollo offers unique roof-top renter
Slick Mercedes-Benz Vivid campervan with roof-top tent now available for hireAustralian motorhome rental giant Apollo has introduced an interesting new alternative for holidaymakers seeking a comfortable, four-berth campervan that’s easy to drive and park.
In what could be a first for the Australian RV rental market, Apollo has chosen a long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz Vito commercial van as the base for its new four-berth Vivid Camper.
Two people sleep inside the van in the fold-out double bed, while the other two climb up a portable ladder to retire in the roof-top tent mounted on top.
With a user-friendly fibreglass lid, the Vivid’s aerodynamic roof tent should be a lot easier and quicker to open and close than the fiddly, fold-out canvas option on Apollo’s rugged Overlander model.
However, interior bed space is a bit less at 2.0m long by 1.4m wide, as is the maximum interior height of 95cm. Weight capacity on the roof is 250kg.
The roof-top tent is well ventilated with windows and screens and comes with an additional solar-powered extraction fan.
Access into the van is via sliding doors on both sides, with a three-part mattress resting on the portable table after folding out to form a 1.9m x 1.4m double bed at night. The three, seat-belted, second-row seats will also fold down out of the way.
Lifting the rear door reveals a number of built-in slide-out drawers, some of which contain the 34.5 litre portable fridge, and small sink with tap that draws cold water only from the 16 litre onboard tank.
For cooking there’s a one-burner stove powered by butane gas canisters (make sure you stock up if you’re spending more than a few nights away!) but missing from the Vivid is an awning, shower hose and flyscreens on the van’s windows.
Based on a Mercedes' platform, the Vivid should be one of the nicer rental campervans to tour around in, with top-notch safety including anti-skid brakes, electronic stability control and front and window airbags; not to mention a radio/CD player and air-conditioning and heating from the front cabin.
At 5.4m long, 2.3m wide and 2.3m high with the tent closed, it should squeeze into tight camping spots, while the front-drive, on-road campervans are powered by Mercedes’ smooth 100kW/330Nm 2.1-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, matched to the slick seven-speed automatic transmission.
The Vivid campers come with all the usual rental equipment including cooking and eating utensils, bedding and towels, although you'll pay extra for camp chairs or table, fan/heater and baby or booster seats.
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Written byChris Fincham
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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