Double slider tops new-look Cell range

The American-sourced Cell caravan range has been given a major freshen-up for 2015, despite just a year on the Australian market, with new white and mid-grey composite bodywork replacing the former brown and cream toning of the previous models.

The full new model range was displayed at the Melbourne Leisurefest show, with the highlight being a new 26ft ‘Estate’ model with double slide-out walls, which retails at $100,950 in Victoria.

Unlike most ‘slides’, which glide out from the right hand side to avoid crowding space under the awning, the Estate’s lounge/dining room and kitchen extend from either side of its unique full-plumbed island kitchen bench, creating a true home-like living space.

A large separate shower/toilet ensuite sits at the rear with an adjacent cavernous and shelved pantry located where the bathroom is located on smaller Cell models.

The all-fibreglass body over an aluminium frame with its distinctive moulded nosecone designed for improved aerodynamics are unchanged. However, there’s a new barrelled roof on all 2015 models to increase interior headspace, while European Dometic S7 double-glazed windows with built in fly screens and block-out blinds are now standard, as is a power-operated front jack.

As you would expect from a top-end American ‘slider’, everything from the slides to the Dometic awning happens at the touch of a switch. Although access to the bathroom is impossible with both sides retracted, it takes just 15 seconds to open up either, or both sides at a rest stop.

Another highlight of the Estate is its individual (electric) recliner seats built into the leather lounge, which make it the perfect place to take in the standard 32-inch LED TV.

At its Tare weight of 2750kg and with a generous payload of 700kg, Cell Caravans’ Sales Manager Abs Abdo says the Estate is expected to appeal to Australians in the market for a large motorhome or fifth wheeler, although roof-mounted solar panels, a second deep cycle battery and a power-operated entry step are optional.

For those with less to spend (or a less capable tow vehicle) Cell Caravans offers a shorter, lighter version of the Estate, the 21ft Island, which retails around $20,000 less.