Apollo Motorhomes Review:
Apollo Euro Deluxe
Retail price: $119,000 (plus on roads)
Posted: 4 February 2009
Apollo’s rental vehicles can also be bought brand new. Its six-berth Euro Deluxe, built by Talvor Motorhomes in Northgate, Qld, is aimed squarely at the longer-term touring market and you’re not going to feel claustrophobic after a couple of weeks or a month living inside. There’s plenty of space for up to four people to stay out of each others’ way, and even at full capacity, it’s not going to be a terrible squeeze.
Driving the Transit is a pleasure. Its six-speed manual 2.4L turbodiesel seems more capable to my mind than the petrol version, with more grunt and a user-friendly, centre-console-mounted gearshift. With the shallow, light clutch, shifting is simple and hassle-free. Brakes are responsive and sure, and power transmission is smooth and consistent. The turning circle is nothing to write home about, but given the vehicle’s 7.2m (23ft 7in) length, it’s not bad either. A reversing camera would have been useful, but we managed with my better half guiding me when backing up.
Overhead lockers line the headspace above the amidships bed/dinette and the rear bed/dinette, with the spacious spots under the beds ideal for footwear and day bags. If there aren’t six of you, the Luton peak bed works well as a linen storage area, though there are as many overhead lockers as could fit, so there’s certainly room elsewhere.
Seven fluorescent lights inside (two of which are in the peak) allow for localised lighting and would ensure those who wish to read won’t disturb those who want to sleep. Externally, there’s an entrance light as well as a grab handle that lights up neon blue.
Between all the windows, there’s a lot of natural light, especially when the three Fiamma hatches are open.
Beds are easily assembled, and converting the whole thing into a night-time configuration takes less than 10 minutes. The beds themselves are generously proportioned and no-one gets a raw deal. Reassembling the tables for breakfast (even the slightly more complex Lagun at the rear) is a piece of cake.
Bench space is sufficient and meal preparation isn’t a hassle. The Smev three-burner cooktop, with rangehood, works well, as does the 110L Waeco fridge below it.
The kitchen cabinetry includes a wide cutlery drawer and two deep crockery drawers with cut-outs to keep everything stable in transit. Although you have to bend to reach the fridge and dry-food areas, there’s enough room to allow cramp-free crouching.
All switches and controls for the water pump, water heater, lights, TV, and the electronic fresh and grey water gauges are centralised in a switchbox in the rear offside corner, in an overhead locker.
The single-cubicle bathroom features a mirrored cupboard for those toilet essentials and a folding basin that employs the showerhead as a tap.
With all the window louvres, the solid door section and the two Fiamma hatches open, we enjoyed lovely cross-breezes out of the sun. Alternatively, an Aircommand Heron 2.2 unit is smartly located above the microwave, where it serves the main living area of the van without taking up undue space.
Outside, the excellent and ever-so-easy Fiamma F45 awning won my heart at breakfast time. The right-through storage bin at the van’s rear is spacious enough for folding chairs and a table, as well as the usual hoses and power lead, so alfresco dining is an attractive option.
Apart from a niggling issue where the sink and cooktop covers, when lifted, can flick up the mixer tap (watch out!), everything’s where it should be in the Euro Deluxe. It drives well, is spacious and comfortable, and is decked out with everything you are likely to need.
It costs $119,000 brand new from Talvor Motorhomes but ex-rental vehicles are also available.
Independently reviewed by Andrew Harris, Motorhome World
For more information on Apollo motorhomes, including rental vehicles, phone 1800 777 779 or visit www.apollocamper.com.au
For more information about new Talvor, phone (07) 3265 9220 or visit www.talvor.com
For more RV reviews, news and online video, visit www.caravanworld.com.au
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