Windsor revives Rapid nameplate

RV buyers shopping for a well-equipped, well-priced and relatively compact hybrid off-road caravan now have some enticing new options, with a "redesigned and reimagined" new Windsor Rapid range about to hit the dealer yards.

Apollo (now part of THL) snapped up the well-known Windsor caravan brand in 2018, and didn't waste time revitalizing the long-standing Aussie nameplate with a fresh line-up of locally-built and budget-friendly composite caravans and luxury motorhomes.

Now it's releasing a new range of Windsor hybrids, using a recognised model name last seen on a series of popular homegrown 'expander' caravans.

Standing out with an eye-catching dark 'stealth' exterior and contrasting bright orange scrub bars, the all-new three-model Windsor Rapid range is available in two body lengths (13ft and 15ft), with an internal ensuite standard on all variants and the choice of couple and family layouts.

While the latest Rapid shares common traits with older versions, like its pop-top roof and rear slide-out bed, the MY25 hybrid model is now largely built in China, with final assembly in the same Brisbane factory that produces Winnebago as well as Windsor-branded motorhomes.

"This new iteration takes the original expanding Windsor Rapid concept further off the beaten track, offering more adventure than ever before," Windsor said in a press release.

2025 Windsor Rapid pricing starts at $59,995 drive-away for the 13ft Rapid 13, which has a basic two-berth layout with king size bed.

There are also two 15ft variants priced at $64,995 drive-away; the Windsor Rapid 15D offering expanded living space for two or three people with an internal kitchen, dinette and king-size bed, while the Windsor Rapid 15B can sleep a family of four with a king-size bed and bunks.

All MY25 Rapid hybrids are equipped for off-roading, with standard kit including a Cruisemaster DO35 coupling and adjustable independent coil spring suspension with twin shock absorbers on each wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels with mud tyres plus two full-size spares, and a hot-dipped galvanised chassis with underbody Raptor coating.

They're all set up for off-grid camping too, with 240 litres' fresh and 70 litres' grey water capacity, twin 135Ah lithium batteries, a 2000W inverter and five or six 100W solar panels on the roof, depending on the variant.

The one-piece moulded bathroom in each Rapid includes a shower cubicle with 12V fan hatch and a Dometic cassette toilet, while all variants offer "plenty of storage and tie-down points" and a "fast expandable setup", according to Windsor.

"The fold-out and pop-up expanding space can be set up in under 10 minutes and securely locked into place for added peace of mind," the company said.

They should all be relatively easy to drag behind 3500kg-rated tow vehicles too, with an approximate Tare weight of between 2250kg and 2450kg and an ATM of 2990kg, to deliver a payload of up to 740kg.

Other notable standard features across the range include an external kitchen with four-burner cooktop and fridge slide, a roof-top air conditioner, diesel heater, 12V fan, roll-out awning, external shower, and an audio system.

The new Windsor Rapid will only be available through THL’s national network of RV Super Centre dealerships, and is backed by a three-year warranty on the draw bar, chassis and suspension, a three-year structural warranty, and a one-year warranty on the tent and canvas components.

The first Windsor Rapid stock is expected to arrive at dealers in February, and the new model will also be on display at the 2025 Gold Coast Caravan and Outdoor Expo at the People First Stadium in Queensland (February 7-9).

Head to the Windsor RV website for full details, including 360 degree virtual tours of all three layouts.