This latest model from Kiwi Auto Homes Ltd in Henderson might tick all your boxes. It certainly ticked a lot of ours when we caught up with Keran Miller recently to check out the latest new-build campervan joining the Kiwi Autohomes rental fleet. They also have four 2018 models with around 15,000km on the clock, selling for around the $92K mark.
There is a lot to like in this 6300mm-long campervan. It offers one of the longest kitchen bench areas in any small motorhome, bigger than many larger integrated models.
You step into the van on the on the pull-out step via the sliding door behind the passenger seat, or you can walk through from the cab area. Directly on the right is the bathroom area with a combined shower over the Thetford bench seat, cassette toilet. The model we viewed is the first prototype vehicle built to assess the layout for production settings, and although the bathroom is fine for my height (at 1.63cm tall) it was a bit tight for the Rock at 1.87cm – his head scraped the shower roof.
However clearance in the main body of the vehicle was fine. The long-wheelbase model with high top offers 140mm extra height as well as 1000mm extra length, that would work for larger people. The cassette is emptied when the sliding entry door is open; it is not cut into the body of the vehicle. This allows the bathroom to be positioned on this side of the van.
Opposite the entry is the kitchen area with a three-burner gas hob for cooking and inset stainless sink unit, both with glass covers to create a full bench space for food preparation. Under the bench is the Dometic 78L 12V fridge with 7L removable freezer box inside. Also four under bench drawers and a two-door cupboard under the sink. Shallow overhead lockers are set back above the kitchen unit and run the length of that right side. The control panels and monitors are above the sink unit on the left, and some of the other controls are at the end of the bench in the seating area. In future models these USB ports, heating and Truma controls will be housed in the same area as the rest of the monitors.
The rear of the van is open in layout with excellent sized U-shaped lounge seating. The seats form single beds or a large queen size when made up on the pull-out slats. The table is removable and a great size. There’s storage under one seating area, and overhead on both sides in the rear.
The colour scheme in this model is particularly good – the light blue tone is happy and speaks of beaches and play. The fitted roman blinds are fantastic as well, and very cleverly they have magnets inserted into their bottom edgess. These connect to the van window edges, keeping the blinds fixed and fitted away – smart idea.
ACM have fitted out these interiors, and their classy finishes are on show with the steel-edged window frames being boxed out to make a nice feature, and a shelf finishes off the bottom of the window spaces. The walls are fully insulated, as are the ceiling, doors and floors. No worries here wondering what your floor might look like underneath in the future; being a genuine campervan, the floor is the standard ribbed metal flooring of the van, with insulation fitted between the ribs and double laminate flooring on the top.
The front cab area is great. The Rock reckons these Renault vehicles drive like a dream, a fast-smooth-sleek dream. From my perspective I really like a cab with plenty of drink holders, and this cab ticks that box.
There are multiple storage pockets in the dash, above the sun visor, and in the door. It was refreshing to be able to sit in a cab seat and reach all of these spaces easily – I often can’t reach into the bottom of a door well in some of the big over-3500kg models. This one is under 3500kg, so on a WoF of course.
I loved this vehicle, and the fact that four lucky people could get a great deal for one of these vehicles. They have done around 15,000km on the rental market, have a modern interior fit-out with all the self-containment features you could want, and lots of extras you might usually add to a vehicle – all for $92K. Keran has other models on the longer wheelbase with high-top roof, coming online soon as well.
Kiwi Autohomes will have models on display at the Hamilton NZMCA Motorhome, Caravan and Outdoor show in September, or contact him right now to express your interest in this perfectly pitched campervan.
Tech Specs
Kiwi Autohome 2-berth camper $92K
Dimensions: External – L 6000mm, W 2000mm, H 2400mm; Internal – H 1840mm
Self-containment and living: Power 240V and 2 x 110Ah deep-cycle batteries with 160W solar panel Smart charger. Comfort – Truma 230V/gas hot water, diesel-fired central heating.
Recessed stainless steel sink with 3-burner gas hob bench, 1 x 9.0kg gas bottle locker, fitted 80L fresh and grey water tanks, Dometic CRX80 12V fridge with removable 7L freezer box. One-piece shower unit, separate hand basin with hot/cold pressurised water.
Beds:
• 2 x rear singles 650mm x 1970mm
• double 1300mm x 1970mm
• high-density bedding-quality foam
Body: Renault Master LWB 2.3L diesel, 130kW engine with AMT transmission, packed with cruise control, air-con, Traction and Stability Control systems, remote keyless entry, ABS and EBD
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