We have to admit to being pretty excited when we at KEA presented our 2+1 three-berth luxury campervan – now available as a brand-new model – at the recent Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow. It was a bit of a special moment for us, not having had a new KEA motorhome available in Australia for several years. We were greatly pleased that our motorhome attracted plenty of attention.

So we thought for this month’s column that we’d give CMCA members a bit of a look at our 2+1. First up although our KEA nomenclature calls it a campervan, it really is a motorhome. Built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 316 CDI van the 2+1 is powered by a 2.2-litre120kW/360Nm turbo-diesel engine that drives through the super smooth Benz seven-speed gearbox. We reckon that gearbox has to be one of the best in the light commercial vehicle world.

We think that 7m (23ft) of motorhome length is the best of both worlds from both a driving and living perspective. That length gives a reasonable amount of internal space but is still a very easily manoeuvrable motorhome, especially around town.

Having a length of 7m has given our designers plenty of latitude with the internal set up. You may have noticed the slightly odd designation of 2+1. That’s a  reference to our motorhome having been designed for two adults and one child, although it can of course be used very easily by just two adults.

The layout has been designed making full use of the swivelled cab seats, in particular the driver’s seat which has the third passenger seat directly behind it. There’s enough space between them not only to ensure passenger comfort but also so that a removable table can be fitted when needed for meals. Mid motorhome is the location of the offside shower/toilet cubicle and nearside kitchen bench, leaving the rear area for two sideways-facing lounges.

Space is always going to be at a premium in a motorhome this size and items like the kitchen bench need to be compact; fitting a combo three-burner hob and stainless-steel sink makes the best use of space. At the rear of the kitchen bench a hinged flap extends the benchtop working space. The 110-litre 12V compressor fridge is under the bench while the microwave oven is located at a user friendly height in the cabinet area opposite.

That cabinet area fits neatly between the bathroom cubicle and the rear lounge. Overhead cupboards all round and cupboard space above and below the microwave oven provide much needed storage.

For bedtime we have introduced as much flexibility as we could. In the rear, the two lounges can be used as single beds, each measuring 1.96m x 0.6m (6ft 5in x 2ft). If desired these can be left made up during the day. If a double bed is preferred, then the table that fits between the lounges can be used as a bed base and the seat cushions re-arranged to set up a bed measuring a comfortably sized 1.91m x 1.78m (6ft 3in x 5ft 10in). It does take a minute or two to figure out but the third bed which utilises the forward facing front seat can be re-arranged to set up the 1.78m x 0.71m (5ft 10in x 2ft 4in) bed for a child or small adult.

Our 2+1 includes all the essential features like reverse-cycle airconditioning, energy efficient LED and halogen lighting, an awning, clip-on external table and for those who like the alfresco lifestyle, and an external slide-out barbecue. For supplying that and both cooktop and hot water heater, a 9.0kg gas cylinder is supplied as standard. Because we’d like everyone to be environmentally conscious, in addition to the 120-litre fresh water tank, we have also fitted a similarly-sized grey water tank.

Of course, it is very easy to try before you buy at any of our rental depots and you can see our KEA 2+1 motorhome at our dealerships. We plan to have one on display at the upcoming National Rally at Albany in WA too, so why not come along, say hello and take a look.

Category: Features
Written: Sat 01 Aug 2015
Printed: August, 2015
Published By: