Malibu reveals 2019 launches

Malibu, the mid-range entry-level marque from German manufacturer, Carthago, has revealed a range of new coachbuilt models for its 2019 line-up and a new special edition flagship van conversion.

The new top-of-the-range Malibu Van Charming GT, based on the 3.5-tonne (there is an option to upgrade the chassis to four tonnes) high-roof 150bhp Fiat Ducato with black and silver alloy wheels, has a cab that Malibu has integrated into the living area with a large roof cut-out, above which is Malibu’s designer ‘headliner’ with integrated panoramic skylight and internal leather cladding and overhead storage cabinets that continue into the cab area.

Payload on the standard chassis is a healthy 680kg and the basic European price is a shade under €50,000 but UK prices have not yet been confirmed.

There are two layouts available in this new GT range, which is based on Malibu’s existing ‘Charming’ model line up. The 600 DB floorplan sees a transverse double bed placed across the rear, while the 640 LE has longitudinal rear single beds, measuring 196cm x 91cm and 181cm x 102cm. Forward of the bedrooms the layouts are identical. On the UK nearside is a washroom with Malibu’s patented 3-in-1 ‘flexi-bathroom’ system which sees a full shower created by a toilet that can be slid away when not use under the rear bed and an entire sink and vanity corner wall that can be swivelled around.

Opposite and alongside the sliding door, which is on our offside, is a galley with in-line two-burner hob, inset, small rectangular sink and three-drawer storage below. Alongside is an absorber fridge, which has been designed exclusively for Malibu, and a cupboard. Forward of this is the typical front dinette with two travel seats created from the forward-facing sofa, a dining table and swivel cab seats.

Until early 2018, Malibu sold only campervans and van conversions in the UK, but then it launched a low-profile and an A-class onto the British market. Now, it has significantly expanded this coachbuilt portfolio. 

The new compact A-class, the I 441 LE, comes with a twin rear bed layout in what, at 6.63m in length, is the shortest Malibu coachbuilt to date. As with all new single bed coachbuilt Malibu motorhomes, the rear beds are up to two metres in length. This is made possible by a new space-saving combination washroom with swivelling shower wall, which sees the washbasin and the rear wall swivelled towards the front over the toilet to create a larger shower with all-round partitioning. 

Another special feature is the changing room between the bathroom and the sleeping area, thanks to the room dividing function of the Vario bathroom door. On the opposite side of the washroom is a standard compact kitchen and, forward of this, a lounge with L-shaped bench and an additional single side seat, of course both cab seats rotate. And, being an A-class there is a drop-down double above the cab.

As with every Malibu coachbuilt, this new compact model has a heated, insulated double floor, which contains frost-protected water tanks and installations, with external and internal access. The double floor has a through-loading area beneath the front lounge and there is a rear garage with twin access hatches large enough to load bicycles.

At the other end of the spectrum are the new 490 and 500 models, which are available in both A-class and low-profile bodies (denoted by the prefixes ‘I’ or ‘T’ respectively). Both feature either twin single beds or island beds layouts and are 7.47m long making them the longest Malibu motorhomes to date.

Viewed from the rear looking forwards, both layouts are identical until you reach the sleeping area. At the front, there is a lounge, which consists of the large L-shaped sofa (on the UK’s offside) with two forward-facing travel seats that faces a large fixed multi-directional moving table, an additional two-person side-facing sofa (on the UK’s offside), which has a TV behind it, and twin swivel cab seats. Above is a drop-down double (over the cab in the A-class and in the lounge ceiling in the low-profile).

Behind the lounge on the UK’s nearside, is a compact kitchen with three-burner gas hob in a L-shaped layout and a circular sink. Below are six huge drawers and above two large overhead cabinets. Opposite, beside the entrance door is a 160-litre fridge/freezer. There is an option to have an oven installed.

Behind is the washroom, consisting of a toilet and wash area with large basin and masses of high and low-level storage on one side and a separate shower room opposite. This washroom can be separated from the front area with a door and from the rear bedroom with a pleated sliding door, to create a private changing room. In the rear bedroom is the choice of large single beds up to 200cm in length (the 490), which has wardrobes beneath the foot of each bed that are accessed thanks to an innovative folding mechanism, or a large island bed (the 500), which has two wardrobes on the left and right of the bed head.

British prices for the new 2019 range of Malibu van conversions and coachbuilt motorhomes have not been confirmed.