2012 Swift Challenger Sport and Sterling Eccles Sport: Pictures and layouts
Shape of things to come: the new 2012 Swift Challenger Sport
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The UK's biggest caravan manufacturer has announced a range-wide price review for 2012, putting an average of £630 on the cost of a new tourer |
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Wednesday, 03, Aug 2011 04:51
by Marcus Dubois
Swift Caravans has launched two all-new lineups to replace the popular but ageing Charisma and Europa lines. Called the Swift Challenger Sport and Sterling Eccles Sport, these ranges are completely new from the chassis upwards and feature restyled interiors in what is a departure for Swift in this caravan class.
Previously the Swift Charisma and Sterling Eccles occupied a segment in Swift's caravan lineup for those looking for an affordable yet well equipped tourer. Yet while these new models occupy the same price bracket, Swift has made huge strides to improve the feel and finish of the vehicles both inside and out. The "Sport" suffix offers a useful clue here: the aim from Swift appears to be to create a caravan which emulates bigger brothers the Challenger and Eccles, but with a light enough weight to be towed by ordinary family cars.
New from the chassis upwards
Caravan Times got a sneak preview of the new Swift and Sterling models last month, and what immediately became apparent was the striking change in exterior shape. Clean, modern lines are the order of the day here, with a fuel-saving aerodynamic front echoing the Challenger of last year.
The front panel is particularly striking and features an optional panoramic front sunroof which extends into the roofline with dramatic effect. Swift here opted to use GRP for the front panels, citing the material's greater durability when facing road debris. Meanwhile ABS is used on the all-new full height rear panel, and the awning channels are semi-recessed to keep the simple lines of the caravan.
