New Age unveils new Expedition vans

Melbourne's New Age has added some off-road pizzaz to its recently revamped caravan line-up, with new eye-catching 'Expedition' models making their debut at the 2024 Victorian Caravan & Camping Supershow.

Displayed on The Touring Hub exhibitor stand at the Melbourne Showgrounds, the two-van 'Expedition' display included a 19ft Manta Ray Expedition (EXP19ER) couple's ensuite van, complete with a distinctive 'Aussie, Aussie, Aussie' yellow and green exterior colour theme across its glossy aluminium composite body panels.

Set up for rough road travel, the Manta Ray Expedition comes standard with Cruisemaster's DO-35 coupling and XT coil suspension, along with a stone guard, A-frame toolbox and jerry holders, and 16in alloys with all terrain tyres.

For off-grid camping there are two 100AH lithium batteries and two 200W rooftop solar panels, along with two 100L fresh water and one 110L grey water tanks.

Other Expedition extras include an updated, increased warranty for off-road use, filament sprayed wheel arches, bolted furniture, new one-piece honeycomb floor, new flat profile windows and an updated decal kit.

Priced at $102,990, or $8000 more than the Manta Ray Adventurer, the 2460kg Tare/3060kg ATM, 19ft Manta Ray Expedition also boasted a reverse camera and Bosch Trailer safety control, along with other typical Manta Ray features like a rooftop air conditioner, queen mattress, wireless charging, external shower, microwave and separate shower and toilet.

Priced at $99,990, or $8000 more than the equivalent Road Owl Adventurer, the 2690kg/3290kg ATM, 19ft New Age Road Owl Expedition family ensuite van on display featured an equally attention-grabbing and somewhat retro-inspired light brown and orange exterior colour scheme, along with a similar equipment list and 'rough road' pack as the Manta Ray Expedition.

A salesperson on The Touring Hub stand said the new Expedition variants had just been built at New Age's Melbourne factory in time for the show (with evidence of some rushing as the Manta Ray Expedition was missing the stone guard, jerry holders and off-road coupling!).

The Expedition upgrade will be available on nine New Age pop-top and caravan variants in total.

Meanwhile, New Age has also announced it has slashed $10,000 from the price of its MY24 16ft Manta Ray Ensuite model, down to $69,990 RRP. The MY24 16ft Manta Ray Adventurer has also been reduced by $7000, to $79,990 RRP.

New Age Caravans Managing Director Chris Polites said the price-cuts were a result of the Melbourne manufacturer working "really closely with our suppliers to bring the costs down, with the savings passed directly onto customers".