King Knaus for Melbourne show?

Pakenham, Victoria-based RV manufacturer Avan is working against time to get a production-ready version of its new range-topping Knaus Eurostar luxury caravan ready for the upcoming Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow, which opens at the Melbourne Showground on February 11.

Avan first showed off the

projected $75-80,000 Australian Knaus-range flagship in shell-only, unfinished form at the Melbourne Show in March last year, but drew ire from some other manufacturers for showing a prototype – a practice discouraged by the Caravan Trades & Industries Association (Victoria) organising body.

Avan Director Scott Van Baardwyk told caravancampingsales last year that they were waiting on the release of the 2015 Knaus range in Europe in order to incorporate prestige brand’s latest features into their German-Australian hybrid, particularly a larger ensuite to meet local market expectations in a caravan in this premium price range.

Now, following the release of the 2015 Eurostar at Stuttgart’s CMT 2015 RV show this month, work has begun in earnest at Pakenham to complete an Australian version of the luxury German.

When caravancampingsales spoke to Avan just three days after the factory resumed work following its Christmas/New Year break, it was touch and go whether the Aussie Eurostar would make the Melbourne Show.

As displayed in Stuttgart, the 2015 Knaus Eurostar is a ready-for-series-production caravan that incorporates many of the features of Knaus-Tabbert’s ‘Caravisio’ design study first displayed at Dusseldorf’s Caravan salon back in 2013.

Knaus-Tabbert – one of Europe’s leading RV manufacturers – is marketing it as a ‘Motorhome in a caravan’, referring to its combination of automotive design with trend-setting caravan technology.

Apart from its smooth, eye-catching all fibreglass design, the 22ft 6in German model (pictured) incorporates a novel kitchen with a new, Thetford high quality induction type hob in its kitchen; a comfortable lounge than can be converted into a modern home office at the flick of a wrist and a central combined shower-toilet ensuite.

Avan plans to assemble the Eurostar in Pakenham on a modified Avan chassis and is expected to employ a combination of several Knaus and Tabbert interior layouts to offer a full, separate shower and toilet ensuite – something regarded as essential for an Australian van in its luxury price range.

Should the Eurostar fail to make it to Melbourne, it will definitely be displayed on the Avan stand at the Sydney Caravan, Camping & Holiday Supershow from April 11-19, Avan assured us.

The February 11-16 dates for the Victorian Show following its relocation by the CIA (Vic) from Caulfield Racecourse to the Melbourne Showgrounds, has also caught a number of other Australian RV manufacturers and importers out, coming less than 12 working weeks after Melbourne’s Leisurefest in October and just three weeks after most manufacturers resume work in the New Year.

In particular, it has put the heat on interstate manufacturers, who have to allow up to a week for the freight of their show vehicles to Melbourne – which as Australia’s largest RV exhibition, none can afford to miss.

“We were flat out up to Christmas completing orders generated by Leisurefest and other major shows, “ complained one Queensland manufacturer, who did not wish to be named.

“Then we have had less than three weeks to prepare not only our new models, but all the other elements of our display for Melbourne. The new date really makes it hard for interstate manufacturers.”