By Ros Bromwich
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At the risk of boring younger readers, we motorhoming Baby Boomers can usually be relied upon to sigh and gaze into the middle distance when a mention of the VW Kombi van crops up. Ah, those happy days of yore traipsing across Europe and Australia, with flowers in our hair… 
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Fortunately, these misty-eyed recollections now have a new currency, and Gen Xers can also capture some of the Kombi spirit, in Kea Campers’ 2+2 deluxe recreational campervan.
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Kea has applied its RV design flair to the long wheelbase Volkswagen Transporter T5 to create a versatile pop-top campervan that sleeps up to four and doubles as a people mover.
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This is twice the persons capacity usually found in vehicles of this size, and it also houses a range of practical and comfort features.
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A trip along Vic’s Great Ocean Road to recce some potential locations for a shoot for sister magazine Caravan World provided the opportunity for a test, and a fully equipped Kea rental unit was supplied for us from the Tullamarine depot near Melbourne’s airport. 
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By ‘fully equipped’, I do mean that – Kea’s rental vehicles have everything supplied: bedlinen (including doonas), kitchen gear you may not even have thought of taking along, a flatscreen TV/DVD/CD/radio system, and more. 
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The T5 has been reported on in these pages before: the six-speed automatic transmission and power steering make it a cinch to drive, and the 2.5L turbodiesel engine certainly eclipses the touring vehicles of old in terms of power, reliability and fuel economy (fuel consumption is reported as 10L/100km).
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Safety features include ABS brakes, dual airbags and central locking, and the ride and handling are really good. The driving position was easily adjustable and comfortable for my 1.64m (5ft 4in) length. 
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Once set up on a quiet beachside site at the Anglesea Beachfront Holiday Park it was time to explore the VW’s interior. 
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The front bucket seats swivel to create a common living and dining area with the table in place, and the easily lifted pop-top allows plenty of head room. The kitchen is on the offside opposite the door and has a two-burner gas stove, 90L fridge and sink. Cupboards below were packed with crockery and Kea’s fantastic array of cooking gear. I was camped right next to one of the park’s barbecue spots, however, so the kitchen remained clean! 
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There’s a compact area of food preparation space and the bulkhead storage areas throughout are designed to make the most of the available room. It’s all nicely finished, the cupboards stay closed and there’s a minimum of rattles and squeaks as you’re driving along. 
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An aircraft-style flatscreen TV with digital reception (written instructions from the Kea depot did actually result in my being able to operate the TV) folds down from the ceiling, and there’s a DVD player in the vehicle’s console.
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With its four seatbelts the VW can also sleep four, with two ‘bunk’ style double beds one above the other that leave limited standing space around the kitchen and cabin. Like any other new appliance or mechanism, it gets easier to deploy the beds with a bit of familiarity in how to do it. 
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Also included are one 4.5kg gas bottle and an electric fan heater; power supply is 240V, with a 12V house battery and hot and cold water (240V/heat exchange). Extras include flyscreens, a voltmeter, tank monitors and a 240V battery charger. 
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Summing Up
If you want an efficient and economical getaway camper that sleeps four and also serves as everyday transport, Kea’s VW-based unit fits the bill admirably. 
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The turbo Transporter is a smooth and stress-free drive, and the neat camper section has everything you need for fun travels, albeit in a small living space. It is going to appeal to singles, couples and families who love to camp and intend spending the majority of the time living, cooking and relaxing in the great outdoors.
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Kea’s 2+2 VW-based campervan is available for a test drive from any of its nine depots across Australia, as is the rest of the range of new and used two-berth pop-top and ST campervans, 4WD campervans and four and six-berth motorhomes. Prices on the Kea 2+2 recreational camper start from $89,000, including an awning and tent to enclose the rear section, plus on-road costs. A range of optional extras is also available.
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If you rent any Kea vehicle you can then take 50 per cent of the rental price off the purchase cost. This 50 per cent credit offer is open for 12 months from the last rental date, which gives you plenty of time to take the step to buying, and to make significant savings.
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Contact Kea Campers on 1800 252 201 (for sales), 1800 252 555 (rentals) or visit www.keacampers.com 
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Kea VW T5

Base vehicle Volkswagen Transporter T5 LWB

Engine 2.5L turbodiesel

Gearbox Six-speed auto

Max power 128kW@3500rpm

Max torque 400Nm@2000rpm

Brakes Front/rear ventilated discs

GVM 3000kg

External length 17ft 3in (5.3m)

External width 6ft (1.8m)

External height 6ft 3in (2.05m)

Internal height 6ft 2in (2m) (with roof up)

Cooktop Two-burner gas

Fridge 90L

Gas 2 x 4kg

Lighting 12V halogen

Fresh water 65L

Price $89,000 incl. GST, awning and rear tent 

Kea Volkswagen T5

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