New 2012 Range Rover Evoque: light on weight, lighter on your conscience

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by Marcus Dubois

Many motoring journalists will be familiar with that sinking feeling. When an exciting, dynamic concept car is well received by public and press alike – and then goes past the committee and safety tests to emerge tamed and compromised. Yet what’s remarkable about the hotly anticipated Range Rover Evoque is the resemblance to the Land Rover LRX concept of 2008. The extreme raked roofline, the peeled back slim headlights, and the coupe-like stance have all made it to the production Evoque.

The beauty of the Evoque is more than skin-deep however, and extends to an argument that could define the very future of Land Rover. With the length of a family car and the emissions of a supermini the new vehicle is an attempt to tackle the gas-guzzling reputation of Land Rover head-on. Recent directives from Europe have meant car companies have been forced to reduce emissions in their fleet, so the Evoque should be the closest you’ll get to guilt-free 4×4 motoring.

Coupe looks, 4×4 stance

Approaching the Evoque for the first time is an event. This car is the Audi TT for off-road vehicles, with an instantly recognisable and striking profile. Available in both three-door and five door options, each model sports a tapering roofline and slim headlights for an aggressive purposeful look. With pricing starting at £24,000, the range is offered in three trim levels with top-of-the-line Dynamic models hitting £44,000.

Step inside the Evoque, and it becomes clear the designers aimed for a modern take on the luxury of the Range Rover. The soft-touch plastics and flush switchgear comes straight from its bigger brother, while the leather is commensurate with the forty-year old name it carries. The driving position is similar to the Range Rover Sport, with a high centre console wrapped around the driver like a sports coupe. Everything is close at hand, with superb information screen for sat-nav, phone and audio.

Four wheels driven or two?

Die-hard Land Rover fans may want to look away now. The Evoque departs from the typical “go-anywhere” Land Rover brief with a two-wheel drive version. The firm explains it cuts 75kg from the kerbweight while adding stop-start technology for greater economy. Yet some purists will refuse to accept what is seen as brand dilution.

If the move to two wheels is a step too far, then fear not: most versions of the Evoque come with all wheels driven. Land Rover claims it used the Volkswagen Scirocco and Audi TT as benchmarks for handling, and although the baby Range is no coupe to drive, in all formats the steering is crisp and weighted. All Evoque models come with the five-seating Terrain Response dial, which changes the chassis and dampener settings according to driving conditions. The result is an extremely capable car which strongly echoes its older sibling the Range Rover.

Sipping petrol

Four engines are on offer at launch, with the quick 240bhp turbocharged petrol claiming impressive acceleration figures. However the best seller will undoubtedly be from the three diesel ranges, with both more suitable for our purpose.

Three variants of the 2.2 diesel cover everything from economy to performance. The eD4 uses a 150bhp version married to front-wheel drive, and emits less than 130g/km of CO2. Land Rover is claiming a staggering 58mpg on the combined cycle for this model.

Our pick of the bunch however is the 2.2 litre turbodiesel which offers impressive torque output for towing and decent returns at the pumps. The 190hp SD4 four-wheel drive version will undoubtedly prove the bestseller on UK roads.

Since the final design was announced 5,000 UK buyers have parted with a deposit of £2,000 without so much as driving the Evoque. And there is no doubt Land Rover has a potential sales smash on its hand. It is to their credit that the firm did not abuse this goodwill and cut corners, but worked hard to create a genuine “baby” Range Rover with commensurate levels of luxury. The only question remains, can they build them fast enough?

Planned footpath near caravan park labelled as dangerous

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by Chris Jefferies

A proposed footpath next to a Norfolk caravan park has been described by the site’s director as a “potential safety risk” for children.

John Roser, director of Snettisham Caravan Park, told Lynn News that the plans, currently being considered by Norfolk County Council, would not be “desirable”.

“The owners come down here because it is a safe area and they don’t want a public right of way through the park,” he added.

Mr Roser also said that many of his site’s regulars fear that the path would breach their privacy, be a potential safety risk for children and potentially lower the value of their holiday retreats.

Snettisham Caravan Park has been used as a children’s play area since the 1960s, he added, as well as housing up to 30 caravans at a time.

However, Eric Langford, chairman of the local parish council, said that the footpath is on public land and has always been used to access the nearby beach.

Pensioner lucky to survive after caravan fire

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by Chris Jefferies

Police said a 72-year-old woman was lucky to survive after an arson attack on a caravan led to two flats being wrecked in the Leyland region of Lancashire.

The unnamed pensioner managed to get out of her home in time, as the fire, which was started in the early hours of Saturday (May 28th), destroyed most of her possessions, the Lancashire Evening Post reports.

Firefighters were called to the scene after neighbours reported the fire at the two-storey building, which had a caravan parked next to it.

Detective Sargeant John Cass, of South Ribble CID, said: “What is clear is [the fire] has been started deliberately in the caravan, which is right next to the house.”

He added that she was lucky to wake up in time otherwise she might have perished in the blaze.

The motive behind the fire, which will serve as a stark warning to anyone think of cutting corners on their caravan insurance, is not yet known, the police officer said.

Used Caravan of the Week: BIOD 420T

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by Holly Tribe

Our search for an out of the ordinary ‘Used Caravan’ appeared to have been blighted by a chronic case of ‘boring white caravan’ syndrome this week; that is until this little number cropped up.

Not being particularly well versed in obscure European caravan brands, the BIOD 420T practically leapt off the classified pages and came as a very pleasant surprise next to all the usual ABI, Bailey and Fleetwood suspects.

Click here to see more photos of the BIOD 420T

Hailing from the Netherlands, BIOD caravans are constructed using a ‘seamless’ reinforced fibreglass polyester build method. This gives each model a tough, durable outershell with a unique rounded profile which is unlike anything currently available on the British second hand market.

In fact the only thing that comes close is March’s Used Caravan pick – the Voyager Vector, of which only three were ever made.

Simple cooking and washing facilities make this a functional, inexpensive option, but be warned, this Dutch-built tourer has the entrance door located on the opposite side to British ‘vans which is something to consider when unhitching at UK caravan parks.

History

This particular model was built in 1998 in the Netherlands, and was imported into the UK by its current owner in 2002. The interior is not dissimilar to British built caravans – twin dinettes provide ample living space – with the larger dining area located towards the front with a secondary living space at the rear. But it’s the rounded exterior lines that guarantee a turned head or two once you’re on site.

The ‘van is listed in a “clean and fresh” condition, with two previous owners, and comes with the original registration documents and receipt of purchase (in Dutch).

Kit and Caboodle

There’s plenty of storage provided by a full sized wardrobe located next to the bathroom along with ten decent sized overhead lockers around the perimeter of the living areas.

The kitchen features a three gas ring propane burner, a mixer tap over the sink and an Electrolux fridge. On colder days the cabin can be heated by a Trumatic S3002 gas heater.

Ventilation is provided via a single roof vent and five Bonoplex windows which come dressed with either blinds, curtains, or nets.

There’s an awning included in the selling price along with two gas cylinders, which can be stored in the front external gas lockers.

  • Price: £1,021.00 (reserve not yet met)
  • MTPLM: 1,150kg
  • Length: 4.65m
  • Berth: 4
  • Axle: Single

Click here to view more details of the BIOD 420T for sale


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Caravan owners heading overseas urged to check breakdown cover

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan owners thinking of taking their touring holiday overseas this summer have been advised to check their insurance policy to make sure it includes breakdown cover for every country they want to visit.

Insurance broker Footman James has reminded caravanners than many popular European destinations, such as Switzerland and Norway, are not covered as standard by European breakdown policies.

Paul Matthews, managing director at the company, said: “With all the excitement and the lure of the open road, we realise that the last thing people might be thinking of is whether their insurance policy includes breakdown cover as standard.”

He added that it is “crucial” to check where you are and are not covered, as you may have to be towed to a garage, which can incur extra costs, as well as repair work.

Footman James’ car insurance extends to ‘Territorial Limit B’ countries, which includes all EU countries, plus the Czech Republic, Hungary, Norway, Slovakia and Switzerland, and can cover trips of up to 35 days.

IAM calls for higher UK motorway speed limit

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by Chris Jefferies

A major motoring organisation has found that 70 per cent of drivers would be in favour of raising the speed limit on UK motorways to 80mph.

According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), 60 per cent of road users said they would be more likely to stick to the limit if it was raised by 10mph.

Whilst caravan owners rarely get up to such speeds, it is thought that the higher limit would lead to reduced congestion and shorter journey times for all road users.

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the IAM, said: “Shortening journey times for people travelling at quieter times, as transport secretary Philip Hammond suggests, is a good idea, providing it doesn’t have a negative effect on safety.”

His comments come after a recent Department for Transport study found that 52 per cent of cars exceed the 70mph speed limit in free-flowing motorway traffic, while 16 per cent travel at 80mph or more.

Campers and caravanners come together for Big Pitch

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan owners and campers alike will be celebrating the benefits of their hobby next month as part of the Camping and Caravanning Club’s Big Pitch camp out.

Coming as the climax of National Camping and Caravanning Week 2011 (May 30th to June 5th), the Big Pitch aims to celebrate the way camping provides family togetherness, life balance, a sense of community and freedom.

Robert Louden, the Club’s director general, said that his organisation is currently emphasising the emotional benefits of outdoor holidays, following on from their Real Richness survey, which last month proved that camping makes you feel happier.

“The Big Pitch camp out is the perfect opportunity to get together with friends and family to enjoy a night under the stars – why not test our theory and see if camping really does make you feel emotionally richer?” he said.

Camping and caravanning are currently experiencing a surge in popularity, the Club claims, with advanced bookings up by 17 per cent compared with this time last year.

Glasgow Jazz festival to tempt caravanners north

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by Chris Jefferies

Music lovers may be tempted to take their caravan north of the border this summer, as the Scottish city of Glasgow is hosting its 25th annual jazz festival. More than 250 artists and performers will be playing in the city across 16 venues during the five-day event, which runs from June 29th to July 3rd.

Glasgow has a rich jazz music heritage, with previous performers including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson and Ray Charles, leading to the city being named as a UNESCO City of Music in 2008.

This year’s line-up includes acts such as Cleo Laine, Leon Russell, Oscar winning composer Michael Legrand and Ramsey Lewis, who will be performing his classic 1970s album Sun Goddess.

Caravan owners looking to stay near Glasgow can choose from a range of parks in South West Scotland, including Blair Drummond and Craigie Gardens, both of which are certified Caravan Club sites.

What are your experiences of caravanning abroad?

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by Marcus Dubois

Freedom. It’s the one word most used when caravanners are asked why they first took up the hobby. The freedom to hitch up, hit the road and roam to previously unexplored places – all while taking the comforts of home with you. And while much of the joy of caravanning is discovering new places in Britain, there are plenty who take advantage of a short hop to Europe to see what’s on offer.

If you’ve previously balked at the idea of taking the ‘van abroad, then you may be reassured that others regularly make the trip across the Channel. Both major caravan clubs offer services which help book recommended pitches in Europe, alongside ferry bookings and insurance.

Club together for the best deals

The Caravan Club hosts a useful “Overseas trips” section on its website where you can find information and book holidays. The Club also boasts an offering of over 200 caravan sites in its Continental Caravanning network for ease of mind. Recently the organisation also published a two-volume Caravan Europe guide which gives details of 8,000 campsites.

Carefree is the dedicated travel service from the Camping and Caravanning Club which looks after overseas trips for members. An online booking system exclusive to Club members takes care of the logistics, while there are regular offers on ferry crossings and attractions. And the service is truly worldwide, with fly-drive holidays to places as far-flung as South Africa and New Zealand.

Prepare for adventure

If you’ve not taken the caravan abroad before, it helps to draw up a checklist of things to prepare to cover any eventualities. For example, many countries on the Continent legally require motorists to carry certain equipment such as warning triangles, reflective waistcoats and fire extinguishers. A number of countries also require motorists to keep their headlights on at all times, and you may also need to adjust your headlights to comply with regulations on dipped beams.

Thankfully both Clubs provide plenty of information to get you started, and we believe there’s nothing more valuable than sharing experiences and tips to help others on their way.

So this week we’re asking readers what are your experiences of caravanning abroad? Have you experienced any pitfalls in booking, getting there, or falling foul of obscure laws?

Click here to share your thoughts in our forum topic

Caravan traffic warning before bank holiday getaway

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by Chris Jefferies

Despite the clearing volcanic ash cloud allowing some holidaymakers to get away by plane, caravan owners are still being warned that this weekend could see very high levels of traffic on the UK’s roads.

The AA has estimated that around 15 million motorists, or roughly one in four Brits, will be hitting the roads this weekend, with caravan traffic likely to be at its worst in the south-west of England.

Traffic is expected to peak between 10am and 2pm on Saturday (28th May), as Brits scramble to get away to make the most of the long weekend, the Metro reports.

Furthermore, Trafficmaster estimates that the A303, which runs through Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset, will be one of the busiest routes.

Meanwhile, TyreSafe has warned motorists towing caravans to take extra care as conditions may be slippery due to forecasted rain showers.

Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said: “After the recent prolonged dry spell, the rain showers, which are forecast for much of the UK this coming weekend, are likely to make the roads extremely slippery.”

Caravan dealer Salop Leisure films all 158 models on sale

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by Chris Jefferies

Shropshire-based caravan dealer Salop Leisure has aimed to give potential buyers a unique view of its range of caravans by filming videos of all 158 of them.

They employed local multimedia business 7video to undertake the mammoth task, which took two weeks to complete, Shropshire Live reports.

Martyn Harris, cameraman and director of 7video, said: “Filming inside a mobile home can be challenging as it was important to get the light right and convey the feeling of space inside the models.”

Every mobile home and caravan in the dealer’s on-site stock was filmed and the resulting footage has been uploaded onto their website, leading to a recent boost in sales, the company said.

Salop Leisure has three dealerships in Machynlleth, Shrewsbury and Stourport and its range of caravans includes models from Bailey, Elddis and Coachman.

Caravan owners in the Mid Wales region near Machynlleth are encouraged to go along to the Salop Leisure Holiday Home Show, which offers daily discounts from Friday (May 27th) for nine days.

Opposition continues over Olympic caravan site

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by Chris Jefferies

Sally Gunnell’s plans for a caravan site for the 2012 Olympic Games have resulted in around 100 residents turning out to protest during a local council meeting. The Caravan Club met with members of Chigwell Parish Council last week (May 19th) to discuss the plans, which would provide pitches for 1,300 caravans, the East London Guardian reports.

Objectors to the site say it will cause massive traffic jams in the surrounding area and set a worrying precedent for the future of the area.

Sue Lloyd, a spokeswoman for the newly set up Chigwell Residents’ Action Group, said: “We’re hoping the caravan site will be relocated elsewhere because we fear it will destroy our environment.”

The site, which would be built on farm land owned by the former Olympic sprinter’s parents, is planning on welcoming caravan owners from July 25th to September 11th next summer.

Vice-chairman of the parish council, Richard Alvin, said he was considering opposing the plans due to the 600 letters of objection he had received.