Elddis Autoquest Apex 194 motorhome

The latest version of a popular British classic

The big news at Elddis this season is its new Zip System construction method for all of its coachbuilt motorhomes, from the 
entry-level Whirlwind GT to the Avalon and Buccaneer. This features a fully bonded, marine-grade aluminium construction for superior strength and stability, as well as enhanced water ingress protection. It comes with a GRP skin underneath the floor and Sunsation high-gloss side walls. There’s a supersized new overcab sunroof, too – designed to have the same frameless 
appearance as an iPhone!

Meanwhile, the range has been expanded to include Whirlwind GT, Whirlwind GT Evolve and Autoquest Apex, all with the same layouts but differences in décor and spec. Choose the 194 model shown here and prices range from £66,195 to £78,695, so it’s worth comparing the kit levels closely.

Fiat automatic

The Autoquest Apex is based on a Fiat Ducato, whereas the Whirlwinds have a Peugeot Boxer cab. The badge is of little 
consequence these days, especially with the same 140hp motor under the bonnet, but the Autoquest does get the eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard (it’s £3,246 extra on the Whirlwind). You also get a grey cab, alloy wheels, a reversing camera and all the other goodies of the XT Pack.

There’s plenty of other standard equipment here, including an awning, external shower and barbecue points, a 100W solar 
panel, Teleco directional TV aerial, on-board WiFi, alarm, tracker and rails for mounting a Fiamma Pro cycle rack.

Eight layouts to choose from

The addition of the Apex suffix to the Autoquest hasn’t diluted the choice of floorplans – there are still eight models, ranging from two to six berths and 6.01m to 7.37m.

There are two single bed layouts – the 185 with low beds and an end washroom and this 194 model with the more typical, more continental design with the beds mounted high up above the garage.

That rear locker has over a metre of headroom, but its loading height is not as convenient as some as there’s no dropped floor level here.

Then, inside the motorhome, the twin beds have two steps to provide access and the mattresses are a modest 1.82m long, with no room for feet to overhang the ends. For once with this type of layout, though, you can sit up in bed as there are no overhead cupboards – just a single locker in the middle with reading lights attached. Elddis even gives you padded headboards to rest against.
 

Traditional lounge, foldaway travel seats

Up front, the lounge has side-facing sofas with knee rolls, scatter cushions and armrests. They are unequal-length settees, with the nearside one being for just a solo occupant.

The table is a free-standing unit that stows away for travel – at which point, you’ll need to stack all the sofa cushions in the bedroom and unfold the Aguti travel seats (hidden under the settees) for any rear passengers.
 

Brit-spec galley

Aft of the entrance door, the kitchen says loud and clear that this is a British motorhome, with its black gloss enamelled cooker incorporating three gas rings, a mains hotplate, grill and separate oven. There’s an Omnivent above to extract culinary whiffs and an eye-level microwave for quick/lazy meals, but the three-way absorption fridge is a disappointingly small 78-litre unit.

But while the kitchen will see you less reliant on the barbecue – or the Good Pub Guide – the washroom will point you in the direction of campsite facilities. It’s an all-in-one room that’s fine when using the cassette loo and basin but less so for showering. With just an 80-litre fresh tank and a tiny 40-litre waste tank, maybe that’s just as well…

Heating is from a 4.7kW Whale CompleteHeat gas/electric blown-air heating system which is mounted underneath to save space.

While the outside of the Autoquest Apex has been modernised with new construction methods, the interior is little changed. There’s plenty of spec here but at nearly £80k there’s a lot of competition.