Elddis triumphs at motorhome awards for second year running

ASTONISHING value for money and solid build quality helped Elddis claim its second consecutive victory in the Caravan Club’s Design and Drive Awards.

Despite a pricetag of just £25,995, the Peugeot Boxer-based Elddis Autoquest 120 saw off strong challenges from the UK and Europe’s biggest manufacturers to take the Best Coachbuilt up to £36,000 category as well as the overall title.

The judges, who included Which Motorcaravan managing editor Mark Sutcliffe, MMM road test editor Dave Hurrell and regular road tester Mike Le Caplain, praised the Autoquest’s 'astonishing value for money' and refined driving characteristics.

In a deliberate departure from the traditional awards venue in the capital, the trophies were presented during a ceremony at Highclere Castle in Berkshire.

Presenting the awards, Caravan Club chairman Grenville Chamberlain explained the club’s thinking behind the change of venue:

He said: “We specifically changed the venue of the awards to a venue outside the capital as a response to London's Low Emissions Zone (LEZ), which effectively excludes many motorhomes from the city unless they are prepared to pay punitive charges.

“We simply didn't think it was appropriate to hold the awards in an area where motorcaravans are clearly unwelcome and their owners being harrassed in this way.

“We will continue to contribute to the debate over road pricing and emissions legislation and demonstrate to those in power that motorhome touring is part of the solution - not part of the problem.”

The Elddis triumphed in a field of 56 motocaravans - the largest entry in the history of the awards - with British manufacturers dominated five of the seven classes. Other class winners included Auto-Sleeper's new Sigma EL in the £36k - £45k coachbuilts class and Scottish specialist van converter East Neuk's innovative Fifer Touring SWB.

Award winners:

Van conversions up to £34,000:
East Neuk Fifer Touring SWB

Van conversions over £34,000:
Timberland Endeavour X1

Coachbuilts up to £36,000:
Elddis Autoquest 120

Coachbuilts between £36,000 and £45,000:
Auto-Sleeper Sigma EL

Coachbuilts over £45,000:
Bessacarr E789

A-class up to £60,000:
Hymer B508 CL

A-class over £60,001:
Concorde Charisma 890M

Overall winner:
Elddis Autoquest 120

* Look out for the special Design and Drive supplement - with in depth reports on all the winners - distributed free with the July issue of MMM (on sale June 26) and the August issue of Which Motorcaravan (on sale July 10).

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