Hyundai tackles motorhome market
Funky, factory-built C-class motorhome marks new direction for auto giantHyundai is one of the most popular car brands in Australia, thanks to its range of big-selling SUVs, sedans and hatchbacks, but you're unlikely to see a Hyundai badge on a recreational vehicle - except on the odd occasion.
However, that doesn't mean that the South Korean auto manufacturer and one of the world's biggest companies, doesn't dabble in the camping-mobile market, with Hyundai recently releasing a slightly quirky but super-stylish C-class motorhome called the Hyundai Porest.
The Hyundai Porest is a medium-size, factory-built motorhome based on Hyundai's Porter (or H100) cab-over truck, which is not currently part of Hyundai's truck range in Australia and therefore makes it unlikely the motorhome version will be available here any time soon.
However, with its futuristic styling including a curvaceous roofline with large skylight and rear electric slide-out, we're sure it would attract a few buyers down under looking for something a bit different to tackle the Big Lap.
The standout exterior styling is matched inside with a trendy interior design that includes three makeshift beds in total, along with a combination shower/toilet, kitchenette, dinette/lounge area and smart home-style control system.
The Hyundai Porest's party trick is a dining table that drops down to create a couch/bed out of the dinette, combined with a drop down electric bed that forms an upper bunk. The rear double bed slides out 800mm to create enough room for parents to stretch out.
The kitchen comes with a sink, worktop, standing-height fridge and a microwave (but no cooktop), while the compact wet bathroom includes a shower, sink with foldaway basin, toilet and mirror.
Pulling all the electronics together is a latest command touchscreen, that provides direct lighting and heating control along with water and battery monitoring.
Two and four-berth variants of the Hyundai Porest motorhome are available in South Korea, with local prices starting around KRW48.9 million (AUD$61,000).
To cater to a growing camping market in Korea that's expanded from 346 campervan registrations in 2007 to 9231 by 2018, Hyundai also offers a smaller pop-top campervan variant of its Grand Starex mini-van.
Most of the 1000-1500 campervans and motorhomes sold in Australia each year are built by 'aftermarket' conversion specialists like Avida and Jayco, with relatively few OEM factory-built motorhomes available like the Volkswagen California Beach multivan arriving later this year.
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