Michael Browning•9 Jan 2017

REVIEW

Swift Explorer 650

More ocker and equipped with new ‘smarts’, the latest 21ft Mk3 Explorer is an even better Brit

There are many very appealing things about British and European caravans to Australian buyers.

Their light weight for their size and features is one big plus, while their cutting-edge technology and modern European décor are others.

However, the deal-breaker that has stopped many from taking a major slice of sales here from the locals is their lack of wanted Australian features like serious load carrying capacity, under-floor, externally-fillable water storage, self-sustainability for free camping and adequate ground clearance to deal with steep driveways and the storm gutters that you encounter on a typical touring trip.

The two major British caravan makers, Bailey and Swift, have done the most here to satisfy Australian tastes in their latest imported models, with each offering a specifically ‘Australian’ model not available on the UK or European market.

While Swift doesn’t build vans in Australia like Bailey does with its Rangefinder, its latest fully-imported, British-built Mk3 Explorer range has like its Explorer predecessors been uniquely specced for our local conditions.

SMART CONSTRUCTION

For a start, all 2017 Explorers employ Swift’s SMART all-fibreglass timberless bodyshell design that replaces the company’s previous marine grade aluminium and play wall construction. By also featuring a fibreglass inner wall finish, the entire structure is impervious to water and offers external hail and stone-resistance from all angles, lower maintenance and better insulation, with no increase in weight.

The exclusively Australian Explorer comes in a range of sizes and our review van was the top-spec tandem axle 650, meaning it was a popular 21-footer.

While sharing its body construction and new ‘Caravan of Love’ interior layout with its latest British counterpart, the Explorer 650 incorporates a number of important features developed exclusively for our market.

These include its 100mm higher-riding hot-dipped Australian-spec AL-KO chassis that rides on 15-inch alloy wheels, external gas and power fittings, an outdoor shower, an external entertainment/TV box, Dometic rollout awning and Air Command Ibis roof-mounted air conditioner.

Inside, plenty of thought has been given to satisfying the demands of many grey nomad travellers for self-sufficiency, so there’s a good-sized 184-litre two-door gas/electric fridge, twin 50-litre litre water tanks in place of the previous single 80L tank, twin 100AH deep cycle batteries and a 120W roof-mounted solar panel.

But it’s the Swift’s European luxury features that really appeal to many Aussie travellers.

It starts with the smooth styling of the Explorer, which has a carbon-look matt black GRP face that gives the front boot and panoramic windows a distinctive, integrated look, while there are no sharp body joins to trap the wind and reduce fuel economy.

The boot itself is a reasonable size, with the spare wheel tucked into one side and a pair of 9kg gas bottles in the other separated by a dividing panel.

There’s additional ‘through body’ storage space in the side locker immediately behind it, but with the exposed and easily damaged central heating pipes and electrics sharing this void, you will need to be very careful what and how you store things here – a problem typical to most Brit and Euro vans.

On the other side of the van you have another small oversight for Australian conditions – a three-pin power plug that requires an adaptor to connect to our mains supplies.

However, the Explorer earns a big tick when you reach its tail, where the brackets to hold a Thule bike rack are built into its GRP rear panel.

TECH SAVVY TRAVELLERS REJOICE

To further sweeten the deal and keep tech-savvy travellers occupied, the new top-spec Explorer models now come equipped with Swift’s new Command System that incorporates a digital multi-function touchscreen panel to control water, power and heating systems from inside the vehicle, with the added advantage of being able to access the same controls remotely via an app on your smart phone or tablet.

Based on C-Bus electronic architecture similar to that already used in domestic and commercial building applications, the Command app will allow you to do a range of things such as remotely check how much power is left in the battery, monitor the status of your solar panels, or see at a glance how much water is left in your tank – all important considerations for Aussie travellers wanting to maximise their timer ‘off the grid’.

It can also be used to plan up to five days ahead and switch the central heating on via an inbuilt timer, or track your van using its built-in Google Maps function.

Other capabilities include dimming the lights and monitoring the temperature inside and out, or turning the awning light on at night as you approach your van, rather like unlocking your car in a dark carpark.

The technology will also prevent the electrical system from overloading and ‘tripping’ by turning off a background electric appliance for a short time to reduce peak load when using more than one appliance.

However, if you prefer your technology hands-on, the consoles that control all these functions are located above the entry door where they are easily reached and adjusted.

PLENTY OF WOW FACTOR

In other respects, the love affair with the Explorer 650 starts on ‘hello’ when you enter the van via its solid new Dometic one-piece door that is becoming an increasingly familiar fitment on many Australian-built caravans because of its four-point locking and security.

But it’s the ‘wow’ factor of the light-drenched front lounge with its panoramic windows and stylish two-tone timber and chrome furniture that sells many Swifts from the outset.

The two opposing settees are upholstered in a fully cleanable imitation leather fabric that is claimed to be red wine resistant and if you slide out the slat base from the central front chest of drawers and re-arrange the cushions, you have a king size bed for visitors or children.

A tri-fold table also pulls out from the chest of drawers for entertaining or casual two-person dining, but if you want to feed more, you’ll need to unpack the free-standing table stored in one of the rear bedroom robes.

Bailey’s new, locally-sourced pedestal table option for its Aussie Rangefinders is a better idea here.

The upper cabinets on the 2017 Explorer 650’s lounge and bedroom areas feature a stylish combination of two shades of high gloss timber laminate separated by a chrome bar and latch hardware and in combination with the light grain timber-look cabinetry below – replacing Swift’s previous darker timber tones for 2017 – the effect is stylish and spacious.

The Explorer’s kitchen opposite the entry door with its four-burner Thetford Caprice cooktop, grill and oven below isn’t overly generous on bench space unless you flip up the left-hand bench extension. But you better be careful of what you spill here as it directly overhangs the lounge and also limits seating space.

Large overhead cupboards above the kitchen are separated by the Explorer’s built-in microwave, but their size necessitates a rather small kitchen window.

Moving rearward, you enter the central ensuite via a central privacy door that shuts it and the master bedroom behind off from the van’s main living areas.

However, if you want to give guests access to the ensuite and instead cut off the bedroom, doors on each side of the central vanity mirror allow this.

Curiously, the small hand basin that sits next to the toilet on one side of the ensuite has no mirror, so if your personal grooming involves a combination of water and a mirror, you will be disappointed.

CLAUSTROPHOBIC CUBICLE

The separate curved shower cubicle with its water-saving showerhead is a little claustrophobic once its curved door is shut, but it’s well laid out and there are shelves for standing shampoo and the like.

Behind the ensuite, the master bedroom occupies the rear of the Explorer 650, with hanging robes and twin top-hinged cupboards above the north-south island bed.

With a TV mounted at the foot of the bed it’s a nice private, albeit compact place, with excellent light entering through its large flanking opening windows and top ventilation hatch.

WE LIKED:

>> Euro style and construction

>> Light and easy to tow

>> Layout with easy accessible central ensuite

>> Sensible modifications for local touring

NOT SO MUCH:

>> Drags its tail on steep driveways

>> Through-body nook needs protection for electrics and hoses

>> External power plug needs adaptor

VERDICT

Now with solid local representation since 2009, seven dealers Australia-wide and more than 1000 vans on our roads, Swift has earned itself the right to be taken seriously by Australian caravanners.

The latest Mk3 Explorer with its extra features and further concessions to Australian tastes, enhances that position as an appealing caravan for sealed road touring.

SWIFT MK3 EXPLORER 650

Travel length: 7930mm

Internal body length: 6270mm

External body width: 2250mm

Travel height: 2700mm

Headroom: 1950mm

Tare weight: 1585kg

ATM: 2000kg

Ball weight (Tare): 100kg

Body: Insulated all-fibreglass composite body panels and floor

Chassis: Hot-dipped galvanised AL-KO steel

Suspension: Independent rubber with single telescopic shock absorbers per wheel

Brakes: 10-inch Al-Ko mechanical over-ride

Wheels: 15 x 6in alloy with 195/65R15 road tyres

Fresh water: 2 x 50L

Battery: 2 x 100Ah deep cycle AGM

Solar: 120W roof-mounted panel

Gas: 2 x 9kg

Hot water: Combined Truma gas hot water and central heating

Cooking: 4-burner gas cooktop and stainless steel sink

Fridge: 184L 3-way Dometic

Shower: Separate internal, plus external hot/cold shower

Lighting: LED throughout

Price (As reviewed) $74,990 (Australia-wide)

Options fitted: None

Supplied by: Swift Centre Brisbane, Qld

More info: Swift RV

Swift Explorer 650

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