by Joe Jeffrey
Introducing a brand new contender into the motorhome market, the Approach Advance is Bailey of Bristol’s latest foray into entry-level motorhomes, set to launch in April 2015
The Bailey Approach range has excelled in sales growth with its award-winning Autograph range and it looks set to continue to do so with it’s latest addition, owing to the Advance’s features which come as standard. From Bailey’s patented Alu-Tech construction system, which provides better protection from the elements – as well as ensuring a stronger but lighter body shell to keep the weight to a minimum – this is certainly a premium entry-level range. Put that with the ultra-low profile AL-KO chassis, which will also provide for better driving characteristics as well as lower entry step, and the Advance seems to have been named exactly that for good reason; it is, to simply put it, an advancement on previous entry-level ranges.
The cab, in Bianco White with colour-coded bumpers, has performance delivered courtesy of the Peugeot Boxer 2.2 Hdi with 130bhp and is powered by a Euro 5 engine and six-speed manual gearbox.
A narrower 2.35m body width – almost the same width as the cab – and maximum weight of 3,500kg makes the new Approach Advance range easy to drive by anyone with a full driving licence with no need for B/E entitlement. The lower AL-KO chassis, as previously mentioned, provides better driving characteristics too, allowing the driver to remain more in control of the vehicle when taking to the road.
Inside, the cab sees four contrasting layouts for 2015, with the 665 being based on the award-winning Approach Autograph 765 model – a six-berther offering plenty of space for the family, including a double drop-down bed for good measure, as well as a side dinette with four belted travel seats. Additional layouts include the two-berth 615 and 635, as well as the four-berth 740.
A new interior look for 2015 comes by way of the ‘Mendip Ash’ furniture. Premium ‘Pimlico’ upholstery fabric and Italian-design overhead locker doors which are dual-finished with push-button catches; low-level lighting should add to the ambience.
Safety remains a priority on the Approach Advance, with rigorous testing having taken place at the world-renowned Millbrook Proving Ground. What’s more, all new Approach Advance models have seen the addition of extra support of chassis outriggers to the strengthened floors, as well as stronger fittings for items including ovens and fridges. Steel-framed seat base support has also been implemented for all designated travel seats with steel-framed structural bulkheads for rear-facing passengers.
