Aquarius Motorhome

WE LIKED:
>> fuel-efficient, dual-fuel engine
>> lightweight, stylish bamboo furniture
>> electric everything and plenty to power it

NOT SO MUCH:
>> set up for free camping but can’t take too far off bitumen
>> need truck licence to drive it
>> need to sell the house to buy it!

Hit hard by the Global Financial Crisis, the luxury A-Class motorhome market in Australia has experienced a few ups and downs of late.

On the downside, we’ve seen the demise of Queensland’s Swagman Motorhomes, renowned for its swish $800,000 land yachts (although it appears it’s now back in business with a new owner).

Winnebago dropped two of the biggest A-Class models from its line-up, including the 12 tonne, 12m long, $635,000 Classic. The NSW manufacturer now has just one, sub-$200,000 A-Class motorhome for sale, the Esperance Premium.

On the upside, two Australian businesses have bravely introduced classy new, US-built models designed specifically for our right-hand drive market, including World Class RV in Queensland and Aquarius Motorhomes in NSW.

According to Alan Imrie from A & A Industries in Batemans Bay, five of the luxuriously-appointed Aquarius motorhomes, at $389,000 drive-away, have been sold since the new model was launched in early-2011.

On a recent visit to Batemans Bay to look over A & A Industries’ other new American import, the Airstream we took the opportunity to go for a spin in the Aquarius and get an idea of what you get for your hard-earned...

DESIGNED FOR DOWN UNDER

Although the Aquarius is built in America, it’s been designed specifically for (more discerning!) markets outside the US, including Japan and China as well as Australia.

The clean, Euro-look styling certainly stands out from the pack, especially when it's combined with a smick, black and gold two-pack exterior paint job. 

The 10.28m (33ft 9in) long Aquarius is built on a Ford Motorhome F53 Chassis, powered by a dual-fuel 270kW/620Nm, 6.3-litre Ford V10 engine matched to a five-speed auto.

Feeding off two tanks – a 302 litre petrol and 394 litre LPG (not yet fitted to the review example) – the front-engined Aquarius has a range of 1800km-plus and is “cheaper to run than many four-wheel drives”, according to Imrie.

It’s also reasonably brisk, quiet and refined on-road, with good noise suppression and a smooth ride. Although without the required Medium Rigid truck licence, my driving experience was limited to the front passenger seat, nestled in one of the plush, multi-adjustable and swiveling Captain’s chairs.

In fact, the leather recliner-like seat was so comfy I immediately felt like reclining the seat back and having a nap (even though we were only driving 10 minutes up the road to the local caravan park!).

While there’s no manual gear selector, the transmission features a Hill Descent mode, which automatically selects a suitable gear for engine braking on steeper descents and reduce the load on the ABS disc brakes. 

Forward visibility is excellent through the big panorama windscreen, but the driver can also keep an eye on what’s happening on all sides of the vehicle, thanks to an in-dash screen that displays images from side and rear-mounted cameras.

There’s also satellite navigation to get you to your next overnight stop and a drop-down, electric sun visor to block annoying sun glare.

ELECTRIC EVERYTHING

It’s no wonder fully-appointed A-Class motorhomes are such a hit with older folk, especially those with creaky joints. Pull up to your campsite and in the case of the Aquarius at least, simply press a few buttons to automatically set-up the vehicle before settling back with your first beer or wine.

Before swivelling the front seats to face the living area, you hit a switch to position the four, hydraulic self-levelling stabilisers underneath.

You then activate the two electric slide-outs (one on each side) for the bedroom and lounge/kitchen areas, and the 5m electric awning. The slide-outs also have individual awnings to prevent leaves from entering the motorhome.

Open the side door, which features security mesh and a dead bolt lock, and a powered step magically unfolds (and retracts when you close the door).

External storage is copious, to say the least, thanks to bus-style baggage doors running almost the entire length of both sides.

Apart from a swing-out arm for the 66cm DVD/TV, most onside lockers are reserved for luggage and other miscellaneous gear, whereas those on the offside house the impressive armoury of on-board power, water and other storage facilities.

These include an Onan 3.5kva generator; four AGM batteries providing 400aH 12V power, and 2700kW inverter/charger. The 12V system is also fed by three, 135W solar panels (and regulator) mounted on the roof.

Another bin provides access to the 'water management system', which includes an external hot/cold shower, filtration unit, water pump, and 503 freshwater, 170 litre waste water and 181 litre grey water, tanks.

Another contains two gas bottles (4.5kg and 9kg), which among other things powers a bayonet-connected BBQ stored in an onside locker. There's also an outlet for the ducted vacuum system.

Another selling point for the Aquarius is its 11,793kg GVM rating, which includes a 2.5 tonne towing capacity – enough to easily haul a compact SUV behind for day outings.

ROOM TO MOVE

Like many A-Class motorhomes, there’s enough living space in the Aquarius to kick a footy around. It’s all easily accessible from the front seats too, thanks to the flat floor.

The only setting-up required inside is to fold out the small computer desk near the entry door, and release the straps restraining the two, free-standing dining chairs at the fixed dining table. 

And if the grand-kids want to join in the fun for a few days, the three-person, leatherette sofa (which includes seatbelts) will easily convert to a small double bed. 

The spacious and well-appointed kitchen, which runs along both sides of the living area, includes a De Longhi four-burner cooktop (two gas, two electric), convection microwave oven, Baraldi rangehood, and 224 litre Dometic fridge/freezer.

Along with generous-sized overhead lockers, cupboards and drawers, there are two, big slide-out pantries; including one that cleverly pulls out from one end of the kitchen bench to further extend the benchspace. In fact, Imrie claims the Aquarius has more kitchen benchspace than any other A-Class motorhome.

Altogether, you’d have to say fittings and furnishings in the Aquarius are first-rate, with Corian benchtops throughout, heat-resistant designer splashbacks, padded vinyl ceilings, and individual lino tiles and quality carpets on the floor.

But the main attraction in the decor department is undoubtedly the light coloured, curved bamboo furniture, created by world-renowned industrial designer Hector Coronado.

Plantation bamboo, a light but extremely strong material that’s increasingly being used in a range of products from bicycles to domestic floorboards, is used extensively and to great effect throughout the Aquarius, including all cabinetry as well as trimmings like the dash fascia.

It’s also been used to create a very solid-looking, sliding privacy door for the bedroom, which wouldn’t have been an option if traditional, heavier wood had been used.

The bamboo’s malleability has also resulted in some beautifully bespoke but practical furniture, including an asymmetrical bedhead and curved doors for the overhead lockers, wardrobes and kitchen cabinets.

Elsewhere, the ‘bent’ theme extends to the large shower receptacle with its sliding, curved glass doors. Directly opposite is a good-sized, separate bathroom/toilet, which has more quality fixtures including a dual flush, porcelain toilet with marine-style macerating system.

Close by is a small ‘laundry’ area with space in the cupboard for the built-in top-load washing machine (a front-loader washer fitted in an external bin is optional).

RESTING IN PEACE

Moving to the small, but adequate bedroom area at the rear, there’s a walk-around, east-west queen bed with innerspring mattress and underbed storage, plus a large wall unit with ‘his and hers’ wardrobes, desk and padded stool, and TV and DVD connections.

The Aquarius' interior also benefits from LED downlighting, three automatic, skylight vents, tinted windows with Roman day/night blinds, and more 240V sockets than you’ll ever need.

Display panels on a kitchen wall help you keep an eye on water tank levels and battery charge among other things. There are also switches for the Truma gas floor heater and two, ducted air-con systems, as well as one to start the generator remotely.

Entertainment options haven’t been neglected, with the three TVs (including an 80cm LED panel in the living area), served by an auto directional satellite dish and free-to-air VAST system, Winegard antenna, and DVD/CD/AM/FM system with surround sound and sub-woofer.

And in the likely case you get too much into holiday mode and forget, the satellite dish automatically folds down upon starting the engine.

VERDICT

Not everyone wants to drive a 10m, 10 tonne motorhome around – nor live in one for extended periods of time – but if you do and can afford the luxury, the Aquarius stacks up as a pretty enticing package.

With a standard equipment list as long as your arm, you’ll really need to visit the Aquarius website to get the full rundown of every specific item you get for your $389grand.

Suffice to say, the Aquarius shapes up as a very stylish, comfortable and fuel-efficient cruiser; dead easy to set up and fitted with just about every imaginable feature (bar a dishwasher). It’s backed by a two year warranty including road assistance.

Like most A-Class motorhomes, storage all-round is particularly good. And while you won’t be able to venture too far off the beaten track, you should at least be able to power all the gizmos and gadgets without outside assistance for days if not weeks on end.

The Aquarius is not necessarily the cheapest US-built motorhome on the market, but if you plan to sell the house and live in grand style on the road, it could prove money well spent.

AQUARIUS MOTORHOME

Base vehicle: Ford Motorhome F53 Chassis
Seating capacity: Five
Engine: dual-fuel, 6.3-litre Ford V10
Gearbox: five-speed automatic
Power/torque: 270kW/620Nm
Brakes: ABS disc
Suspension: dual action shocks, airbags
Tare: 8070kg
GVM: 9299kg
GCM: 11,793kg
External length: 10.28m (33ft 9in)
External width: 2.43m (7ft 9in)
External height (with air-con): 3.68m (12ft 1in)
Internal height: 2.03m (6ft 8in)
Cooktop: De Longhi four-burner (gas/electric)
Microwave: convection
Fridge: 224 litre Dometic
Gas: 4.5 & 9kg
Lighting: 12V LED
Toilet: Thetford porcelain, macerating
Shower: Separate cubicle (round)
Hot water: Truma 22 litre
Fresh water: 503 litre
Grey water: 181 litre
Waste water: 170 litre
Price (as reviewed): $389,000 (on-road, NSW)
Supplied by: A & A Industries, Batemans Bay, NSW