New Iveco drives motorhome sales

Motorhome buyers are queuing up for the latest Iveco Daily cab-chassis from Europe, according to premium motorhome builder Paradise Motorhomes.

The Queensland manufacturer says it already has 25 orders for motorhomes based on the sixth-generation Iveco light commercial van, which along with numerous upgrades comes with a new eight-speed ZF automatic transmission to rival the slick, seven-speed auto offered on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

Paradise had on display a new-look Iveco Daily at the South Australian Caravan Show in February, but it was fitted with the carry-over six-speed semi-automatic gearbox.

Being a premium builder with most of its range topping $200,000, Paradise will supply all future Iveco-based motorhomes with factory options including the most powerful 150kW/470Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, eight-speed auto and rear airbag suspension, as ‘standard’ equipment.

The options add around $9500 to the overall price, but Paradise says the Iveco will still undercut an equivalent-spec Sprinter by around $6000.

Both the Sprinter and Daily are rear-drive, but the Mercedes is not available with the rear airbag suspension, which provides a smoother ride and offers the advantages of being able to raise and lower the body.

Paradise was advertising the 7.8m long Integrity SL slide-out motorhome on display at the show, with all the standard options plus a few extras, for $209,100 drive-away.

Although the sixth-generation Iveco Daily has been on sale in Europe since mid-2014, Paradise says it won’t receive its first batch of the new model until May, with the first motorhomes rolling out of the factory around August.

As well as refreshed styling, improved driveability and fuel economy, the Daily’s cabin is said to offer improved noise insulation, more efficient air-conditioning, and heightened comfort.

The Daily is already a popular choice with Australian motorhome buyers, and Paradise expects demand to rise further for the Italian van, from currently accounting for around 60 per cent of the 80-odd motorhomes it produces each year, to 80 per cent.

Meanwhile, Jayco is now offering the rear-drive Renault Master as an option on some of its models.

The top-selling motorhome manufacturer had on display in South Australia a Renault-based Conquest model powered by the 110kW/350Nm 2.3-litre turbo-diesel engine with six-speed automated manual transmission.

The 7.26m long motorhome featured a car licence-friendly GVM of 4490kg, rear electric drop-down bed and sharp $119,330 price tag.