Concept Innovation

WE LIKED:
>> Value for money
>> Composure under tow
>> Additional framing at the front of the van

NOT SO MUCH:
>> No stoneguard for A-frame tap

Personally, I’m not a fan of American phraseology like ‘Supersize me!’. And their bigger-is-better approach to living I find equally off-putting.

To some extent, this live-large philosophy has crept into Aussie vans. Why have a cheeseburger when you can have one with the lot? The trouble with this, of course, is that there’s a cost penalty.

When it comes to fast food, it’s a few dollars. But when you’re talking caravans, a few extra feet adds thousands. Sure, there’s nothing like additional living space in a caravan for a sense of luxury, but where does it end?

What if you could get most of the trimmings of a luxury caravan and save the rest of the budget for fuel, beachside margaritas at Port Lincoln, and long, lazy days exploring beyond the black stump?

Potentially, there are a lot of romantic sundowners between Concept’s budget offering, the Innovation tested here, and some of its nearest competitors.

SUCCESS STORY

Concept Caravans is one of Australia’s true manufacturing success stories. It has earned a place in the top six RV manufacturers in Australia – not bad for an enterprise that began building about 30 vans a year in 2004.

The company is known for its luxurious vans, such as the Ascot. But how to keep pace with, or differentiate itself from, many others players on the market?

In recent times, Concept invested in a CNC machine, which cuts all of the components of its Euro-style furniture now seen throughout the range, as well as a PVC edge bander, which provides a 25mm durable edge to cupboard doors and other furniture components.

The Concept Vision was the first to be fitted with the CNC furniture, and it’s since flowed to other models – including the Innovation 590M.

BUDGET BUSTER

Throughout the Innovation 590M, it’s hard to spot where Concept has saved money in order to offer the van for its $53,500 RRP.  Take a good look. Everything you’ll need is there.

Climb aboard and the first thing you’ll notice is the Innovation does away with the cut-out step found on most other vans. The reason isn’t immediately obvious but makes sense once the penny drops: the entrance is quite close to the foot of the bed – opting for a flat floor rather than a cut-out step removes a tripping hazard.

The precision-cut cabinetry, is made from imported, lightweight plywood rather than chipboard, while up front is the bed (1.5x1.8m), with a wardrobe, drawers, and LED reading lights on either side.

By opting in favour of a tunnel boot, rather than the conventional front boot, Concept has reduced the overall length of the van without impeding on living space. The downside is the tunnel boot occupies a fair whack of the underbed storage area, where you’ll also find the Breaksafe unit, 100Ah house battery and 25A CTEK battery charger.

The offside dinette, meanwhile, ideally suits two people – the tri-fold table doubles as a stand for drinks and nibbles when closed.

I particularly liked that Concept has fitted drawers beneath the dinette lounges, though part of the space beneath the forward seat is taken up by the 14L Truma gas-electric hot water service.

There’s little worse than rummaging on your hands and knees because your favourite book has made its way to the back of the storage space.

Behind the dinette, Concept has fitted a 184L Dometic AES fridge. What does AES mean? Well, it means the fridge will decide for itself the best power source: 240V, gas or 12V.

ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS

Mounted in the cabinetry above, Concept has fitted a Firetail DVD/CD player (with USB input) that’s connected to two ceiling-mounted DNA speakers. The van comes equipped with a 22in Firetail flatscreen telly, too, and Jack antenna.

Opposite, the kitchen is packed with cupboards and drawers. All doors open and snap closed on what looks like strong hinges.

Catering-wise, the Innovation gets a Thetford Minigrill MkIII cooktop and griller (no oven), as well as a Samsung microwave.

Benchtop space isn’t generous, but short of extending the length of the caravan, or perhaps reducing the size of the shower, it’s probably as good as it’s ever going to get.

Across the rear of the Innovation is the bathroom, which features a Thetford cassette toilet on the offside, NCE Eurowasher top-loading washing machine nearby, central vanity, and nearside shower.

There’s a 12V fan hatch above the loo and one in the shower as well. The bathroom isn’t huge but it gets back to the overall length of the van and sharp price. Fitting a larger bathroom would inevitably lead to a longer van and higher price. Can you live with a small bathroom if it meant saving 10 or more grand? I know I could.

The bathroom is separated from the main cabin by a sliding door. I’ve looked through plenty of Concepts in my time and the size and strength of the lock that holds the door in place when under tow always impresses.

Other internal features of the Innovation include a Seitz Midi Heki hatch in the doorway, Dometic reverse-cycle air-conditioner, and LED touchlights with half and full strength.

THUMPING EXTERIOR

Above the chassis (4in main rails), the Innovation 590M has a meranti timber frame with studs about 220mm apart – a fairly traditional approach to construction. However, Concept has provided additional framing at the front of the van.

We were invited to pound our open palms on the (optional) silver cladding up front as hard as we liked and have to admit it was like slapping our hands against concrete pavement. The extra bracing, of course, is to withstand high wind pressures when under tow.

On the drawbar, there are two 9kg gas cylinders, a centre-mounted jockey wheel, and a fresh water tap, which I’d like to see fitted with a stoneguard or perhaps mounted on the inside of the 4in rail where it’d be a little less vulnerable.

Al-Ko Rocker Roller suspension is fitted, as are 14in alloys and 10in electric brakes. Underneath, everything’s fairly tidy, with one water tank mounted between the axles, the other at the rear.

Along both sides, Concept has fitted 280mm-high black checkerplate for that all-important tough look as well as protection. There’s also a Dometic awning and light, as well as a picnic table.

It all adds up to a reasonably thoughtful, if not flashy, exterior.

Our test van came with a loaded weight (ATM) of 2461kg, putting it beyond the abilities of the family station wagon but within the range of mid-weight 4WDs, such as the Prado.

It runs very well behind the Mitsubishi Pajero, we know from experience. The van was a picture of composure as we towed it around the hills and along the straights of Eildon.

VERDICT

Does the Innovation 590M offer bang for buck? In a word: yes! At $53,500 (RRP), very little has been left out or forgotten, and it’s put together with typical Concept style and attention to detail.

You don’t become one of Australia’s largest manufacturers by building rubbish, after all.

CONCEPT INNOVATION 590M

Overall length: 7.65m (25ft 1in)
External body length: 5.9m (19ft)
External body width: 2.39m (7ft 10)
Travel height: 2.9m (9ft 6in)
Internal height: 2m (6ft 6in)
Tare: 2061kg
ATM: 2461kg
Ball weight: 194kg
Frame: Meranti timber
Cladding: Silver aluminium
Chassis: Preston 4in
Suspension: Al-Ko Rocker Roller
Brakes: 10in electric
Electronic Stability Control: Optional
Wheels: 14in alloy
Fresh water: 1x80L; 1x60L
Battery: 100Ah deep-cycle
Solar: Optional
Air-conditioner: Dometic roof-top
Gas: 2x9kg
Cooking: Thetford Minigrill MkIII four-burner and grill
Fridge: 184L Dometic AES
Microwave: Samsung
Toilet: Cassette
Shower: Moulded fibreglass
Lighting: 12V LED 
Hot water: 14L Truma gas-electric
Options fitted: Silver cladding
Price (as shown): $53,500 RRP
Supplied by: Concept Caravans, Campbellfield, Victoria