Scoop! New Track Trailer Topaz spotted

Melbourne’s Track Trailer effectively invented the hybrid off-road caravan when it introduced its angular Topaz pop-top back in 2008.

Blending serious off-road capabilities with a little luxury, its striking two tone colour scheme, distinctive external skeletal structure and polarising no frills industrial interior spawned a niche sector that has since become the RV industry’s hot spot.

Now, as its Australian rivals and a coterie of importers close in, it looks like Track has moved the goal posts again.

From what we can glean, it may no longer be called a ‘Topaz’ – we believe the model name has been rested – but in its place will be three new variations on the same hybrid pop-top theme.

Two of them – a base spec model that effectively replaces the current Topaz and a new highly-optioned luxury ‘couples’ version –  are set to be unveiled at the upcoming Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow at the Melbourne Showgrounds from February 20-25.

A third ‘family’ version with bunk beds is expected to join them when production commences around late-February.

While pre-release details are sketchy, our photos of a prototype being tested suggest the new hybrid has a longer body that its predecessor, extended at the front to incorporate the former Topaz II’s ‘Dolphin-nose’ front storage boot and slightly longer at the rear past the entry door.

caravancampingsales understands that the extra length has been put to good use in the luxury ‘couples’ model to allow a combined interior shower/toilet to be included - an omission from the Topaz that was steering potential purchasers to its many rivals, the majority of whom offer this comfort feature.

The other two models are believed to utilise the same longer body, but will offer more interior room in the base version and space for twin bunks in the family model.

In the latter two, we expect Track Trailer will retain the current Topaz's indoor/outdoor cassette toilet and separate exterior rear shower ’hump’.

Along with the longer aluminium composite body, we can see a longer pop-up roof, with the word being that a 12v power lift feature will be offered for the first time.

Rather like the latest Porsche 911, which retains its distinctive profile in its latest, eighth iteration, the Topaz replacement keeps its predecessor’s familiar edgy look, which has endeared it to many owners who prefer not to follow the crowd.

However one detail that that our photos reveal is an inward bend in the walls below waist height. Whether for extra strengthening or styling, this feature – along with the hybrid’s bespoke, irregular-shaped windows – again separates the latest Track from its boxy market rivals with their mass-market windows that presumably are cheaper to build.

We believe there are many other details that will take it past its competition. Being Track Trailer with its formidable reputation as an innovator, hewn back in 1999 with the Tvan, we can expect more surprises when the wraps come off on February 20!

Although pricing won’t be announced before the Supershow unveiling, we can guess the new Track hybrid will probably cost more than its predecessor.

While this is not surprising, given the extra features and new technology that it introduces, prices of its direct market competitors have also risen recently. By comparison, an Australian Off Road Matrix Pop-Top and Complete Campsite’s Exodus 16 now costs $109,900 and $105,950 respectively.

For any further updates, head to the Track Trailer website.