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NEWS
Slide-out specialist returns
New Lotus-built Universal caravans break cover at Melbourne SupershowSome of Australia’s most extravagant and expensive touring caravans are back on the market, with Victoria’s Lotus Caravans re-launching the Universal Caravans brand at this year’s Victorian Caravan Supershow.
Lotus Caravans’ boss George Josevski told Caravancampingsales that Lotus had taken over production of the Universal vans, which were built for around four years before the Campbellfield, Victoria-based business shut its factory doors around September last year.
Redesigned and updated for 2017 with the help of at least one of the original owners, the five-model range carries over many of the previous, super-luxury slide-out models including the range-topping 24ft 4in Hollywood, albeit now with 'just' three large TVs, two instead of one large single slide-out, and $136,990 price tag.
“(The purpose of) bringing it into our (production) facility was to make sure, first of all we could make a van we could afford to make, as they’re very labour intensive, and also making sure that the quality we deliver at such a price tag is right up there,” Josevski said.
“I think the vans were a great product but I don’t think some were built the best," he explained. "They are far more superior today than what they ever were. The construction and the reinforcements we’ve added to the vans and the quality and finish that we’ve done to them now, you could almost say they’re 10 times better,"
Marketed as “Australia’s most luxurious slide-out caravans” four of the five Universal models feature at least one slide-out, and all now have a LandCruiser-friendly ATM weight of 3495kg or less.
On display at the Melbourne Supershow were two entry-level, non slide-out Explorer models, both with rear ensuites and Tare weights around 2000-2500kg: a 17ft Explorer priced at $69,990 and a bigger 21ft Explorer Directors Cut at $78.990.
Moving into the lavishly-equipped slide-out models, there was a 24ft 4in Transformer with both side and rear slide-outs for $114,990, and a 23ft 6in Broadway with huge single slide-out for the bed and lounge priced at $131,990.
Not surprisingly the new models have adopted a few trademark Lotus design touches and features, including extensive use of smooth, lightweight aluminium composite panels and external checker plate as well as the latest ‘flat pack’ gloss interior furniture.
Lotus currently builds around 300 vans annually at its 2100sqm factory in Campbellfield, Melbourne, but Joseskvi expects demand to be far less for the new, premium Universal models.
“We’ll only build them in limited numbers, there won’t be hundreds and hundreds every year,” he said.
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Written byChris Fincham
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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