Family van conversion
Elddis Autoquest CV80
WHILE smaller (VW-sized) campervans commonly come with a roof bed and so serve 2+2 families, those seeking a larger van conversion with a loo (and beds for four) are offered a lot less choice. Odd, that, but the market seems to be waking up and filling the gap by adding pop-tops to these larger campers. However, with the addition of an elevating roof, some of these ’vans can become quite pricey, which seems to defeat the object of being familyfriendly. Unsurprisingly, then, it’s Elddis that has entered the market with a well-priced option.
At first glance, the latest Elddis campervan is exactly the same as the existing CV40 model – no bad thing as it’s a proven product. But look up and you’ll spot the difference – the addition of a pop-top roof that makes the CV80 into a four-berth.
This is still a six-metre model – a good size for manoeuvrability, parking, etc – based on a 140bhp, 3,500kg Fiat Ducato, but the pop-top is all-new and is the result of a huge investment across the whole Erwin Hymer Group. It’s manufactured using cutting-edge long fibre injection (LFI) moulding for light weight and rigidity but the key feature is its 2.10m by 1.44m double bed on a slatted base. There’s just enough headroom at the back of the roof area to contemplate sleeping this way around, which will make for easier getting in and out.
The roof, when raised, has a massive flyscreened section with zipped cover around three sides of the front of the canvas, while a reading light is also fitted for upstairs occupants and a ladder is provided for access. However, the USP of the Elddis roof is a wind-up Midi Heki rooflight. This is especially important when the roof is lowered as it allows a lot more daylight into the forward lounge.
With its traditionally British floorplan inherited from the CV40, the CV80 has two seating areas. Aft, there are twin sofas (1.35m
long on the nearside, a tad shorter opposite), making a cosy space with four corner reading lights and opening windows on three sides. Of course, the pop-top precludes a rooflight here but there’s still plenty of daylight and ventilation, especially when you swing open the back doors. At night, it’s easy to convert your lounge into a transverse double bed.
The kitchen is a definite strongpoint, featuring not only a Thetford Triplex cooker with oven/grill but also a good selection of drawers for practical storage and a worktop extension flap adjacent to the sliding door (which comes fitted with a flyscreen). Alongside the cooker is a 90-litre compressor fridge providing generous food storage at a convenient height. The wardrobe is below.
The washroom has a fixed corner basin (not a flimsy folding affair), towel hooks and toothbrush mug, as well as an opening window. Storage is in a mirror-fronted cabinet and the smart moulding around the window shows good attention to detail.
The CV80 has Grade III insulation and a 4kW Whale CompleteHeat gas/electric heating system, a TV aerial and a 25-litre underslung gas tank as standard. You’ll need to budget for the Lux Pack (£1,218) which adds cab airconditioning, cruise control and a passenger airbag, but even then the price is usefully under £50k and the other extras you can almost certainly live without. The excellent automatic gearbox might tempt, though, if you can find the extra £2,040.
Families will surely love the two seating areas, the kids will be at home in their supersized upstairs den and even the Bank Manager will be pleased that you haven’t spent more. The Elddis campervan range has already established itself as offering great value and the new CV80 simply extends the appeal to those who need four berths.