Avida brings back Winnebago

More than 12 months after changing its name from Winnebago Australia to Avida RV, the NSW-based caravan and motorhome manufacturer has revived the iconic Winnebago name for a new 26ft, wide-cab motorhome.

Unveiled at the 2014 Brisbane Caravan & Camping Show, the updated Esperance Premium is expected to be the first of a number of new Avida models to sit under the premium Winnebago banner, which will be reserved for the biggest, most expensive motorhomes in the range including a new 35ft-40ft A-class model expected to arrive in 2015.

As well as a way of differentiating from smaller, less prestigious motorhomes, Avida RV sales and marketing manager, Max Mayo, said it was a good way to reflect the heritage of the company, which has used the Winnebago name for most of its almost 50 year history.

“We wanted to keep a connection with our tradition, if you like. And people do recognise Winnebago as ‘the’ motorhome,” Mayo said.

“We do put it on the back of all our motorhomes - ‘The Maker of the Australian Winnebago' -  but we just wanted an upmarket model that more reflects the brand.”

In 2012 the then Winnebago Australia lost a lengthy court battle with the American Winnebago company that stopped the use of the Winnebago name in Australia. However, the decision was over-turned on appeal in mid-2013, a few months after Winnebago Australia changed its name to Avida.

As well as a gold badge celebrating the upcoming 50th anniversary milestone (the original business started in 1965), the new Avida/Winnebago Esperance Premium also has a sticker notifying: “This vehicle was not manufactured by, or by anyone having any association with, Winnebago of the United States. Proudly Australian made since 1965."

Based on the Iveco Daily cab chassis and requiring a truck licence, the almost 8.0m (26ft) long Esperance Premium on display featured an Avida-built, 2.5m-wide front cab with panoramic windscreen, along with a slide-out lounge/dinette, east-west rear bed and full rear ensuite.

Another layout without a slide-out and with an electric drop-down bed is also available.

To justify the almost $190,000 (depending on options) drive-away pricing, the luxury motorhome comes with additional standard features including an in-built Onan generator and two, 80W solar panels and generator.