A new Approach…..
The Bailey Approach SE 745 is announced as The Caravan Club Motor Caravan Design and Drive Competition Winner 2012.
The Caravan Club Motor Caravan Design and Drive Competition Winners 2012
Long-established manufacturer of caravans, but newcomers to the motor caravan scene, Bailey of Bristol has scooped the top award in The Caravan Club Motor Caravan Design and Drive Competition 2012 with its Approach SE 745.
Competition testing took place at Newark Showground at the beginning of May. A panel of four driving judges and six design judges evaluated the vehicles for excellence in design, construction and handling characteristics, including reversing and manoeuvring.
The judges praised the Approach for its combination of good build quality, featuring Bailey’s innovative Alu-Tech body construction, and remarkable value for money. Bailey also took first and second place in the category for Coachbuilts up to £45,000.
Based on Peugeot’s Boxer, the four-berth Approach SE 745 features a fixed French double bed at the rear, with a washroom alongside. It also boasts a large, well-equipped central kitchen and spacious front seating area with two belted seats for travelling. This area converts into an additional two berths at night. One judge commented, “This is true value for money”.
Fifty vehicles were entered into Design and Drive. They were split into six classes and thoroughly evaluated. Class honours went to the East Neuk Fifer Touring S (Van Conversions up to £40,000); Murvi Morocco (Van Conversions over £40,000); Bailey Approach SE 745 (Coachbuilts up to £45,000 and also Overall Winner); Bentley Cerise (Coachbuilts between £45,000 and £55,000); Bentley Oulton (Coachbuilts over £55,000); Carthago E Line I49 (A Class).
Commenting on the Competition, Caravan Club Chairman Grenville Chamberlain says, “We are delighted The Caravan Club Motor Caravan Design and Drive Competition continues to receive such great support from the industry. Our congratulations go to all the winners in this Competition and our thanks go to all the manufacturers who entered. Special congratulations goes to Bailey for its Approach SE 745.”
As Europe’s premier touring organisation, The Caravan Club represents the interests of over one million caravanners, motor caravanners and trailer tent owners. For more information visit The Club’s award-winning website at www.caravanclub.co.uk and www.discovertouring.co.uk
Competition Judges, Scrutineers, Advisors, Scorers and Ballasters:-
Driving Judges
- Danny Cobbs
- Rob Ganley
- Dave Hurrell
- Gary Martin
Design Judges
- Andrew Bromley
- Jessie Callaway
- Sandra Chant
- Jonathan Lloyd
- Steve Rowe
- Phil Trow
Technical Advisors/Scrutineers
- David Frost
- Martin Spencer
Scrutineer
- Trevor Bilton
Scrutineers/Ballasters
- Derek Callaway
- Alan Collins
Ballasters
Michael and Margaret Lister
Les and Pam Lawrence
Scorers
Cynthia Collins
Jenny Trow
Lucie Warren
Van Conversions up to £40k
1st East Neuk Fifer Touring S
“Another top quality campervan from East Neuk.”
“Superb attention to detail and great fire safety measures.”
“A quart in a pint pot. Very clever design – quite brilliant in execution.”
2nd Hyundai i800 by Wellhouse
“Well-equipped campervan with good access to kitchen equipment and electrics via offside door.”
“Watch out VW, Hyundai is coming after you!”
“Impressive warranty on base vehicle.”
3rd Wheelhome Skarpa EBS
“It has it all but in smaller proportions!”
“Very clever use of space.”
“Another well thought-out design from the micro-camper maestros.”
Van Conversions over £40k
1st Murvi Morocco
“Everything neatly packed in – optimum space used.”
“Usual excellent Murvi understated interior.”
“Good for touring for two, full cooking facilities.”
2nd Vantage SOL
“Holistic approach to design.”
“Sophisticated motor caravan.”
“Nice clean lines – good finish throughout.”
3rd Auto-Sleeper County Sussex EB
“Best layout for bathroom so far – room to read a newspaper!”
“Stylish end-washroom van conversion.”
“Good washroom.”
Coachbuilts up to £45k
1st Bailey Approach SE 745
“Good value for size and quality.”
“This is true value for money.”
“Good layout and equipment at a keen price.”
“Incredible value for money”
2nd Bailey Approach SE 625
“This seems to be a caravan with a cab attached to it.”
“Loads of storage, loads of space, clean lines and room to hang your coats!”
“Large and well-priced two berth with good kitchen.”
“Lots of kit at a keen price.”
3rd Tribute T715
“Rear corner bed extends appeal of this excellent value-for-money range.”
“It really wants to go – very responsive!”
“Great price and nice layout.”
Coachbuilts from £45k to £55k
1st Bentley Cerise
“Nice van with now unusual rear access.”
“Renault Trafic is a delight to drive, good to see rear door coachbuilts making a return.”
“Just like driving on pillows.”
“Fab two berth, well put together.”
2nd Bentley Amber
“Well thought out, excellent design.”
“Great layout with lots of storage and good washroom.”
“Renault Trafic is criminally underused and is a delight to drive! Short on length but not equipment!”
“Drives well, Renault chassis is much better than Fiat/Peugeot.”
3rd Bessacarr E582
“Good design with loads of locker space.”
“Luxurious permanent bed van with Alde heating.”
“E500 range has been given a firm shove up market. Good spec for price.”
Coachbuilts over £55k
1st Bentley Oulton
“Nice low double bed and good exterior storage and great kitchen.”
“Master and AL-KO chassis is an inspired choice.”
“Clever design.”
2nd Bentley Mallory
“Brilliant shower cubicle.”
“Airing cupboard in toilet is excellent.”
“Good interpretation of an established layout.”
3rd Auto-Sleeper Cotswold FB ES
“Like the wet lockers.”
“LWB flattens the road.”
“Rear-view mirror-mounted camera is useful.”
A Class
1st Carthago E Line I49
“Well constructed, thoughtfully finished.”
“Even though it is over £100,000, it is very good value for money.”
“Surprisingly light footed.”
“It certainly feels as if it is of some worth.”
2nd Dethleffs Esprit I7010
“Feels like a quality finish.”
“Luxury A Class with stylish interior.”
“An incredible amount of A Class for the money; classy carriage.”
3rd Pilote Reference G640 LR
“Neat washroom, comfortable and light ‘n’ bright throughout.”
“Cubbyholes have been thought about.”
“Manages to feel quality on budget.”
The Caravan Club Motor Caravan Design and Drive Awards 2012
List of Winners
Van Conversions up to £40,000
East Neuk Fifer Touring S
Van Conversions over £40,000
Murvi Morocco
Coachbuilts up to £45,000
Bailey Approach SE 745
Coachbuilts between £45,000 and £55,000
Bentley Cerise
Coachbuilts over £55,000
Bentley Oulton
A Class
Carthago E Line I49
OVERALL WINNER
Bailey Approach SE 745
The Caravan Club Motor Caravan Design and Drive Awards 2012
List of Entrants
Van Conversions up to £40,000
Danbury VW Caddy
East Neuk Fifer Touring S
Globecar Campscout 636 SB
Hyundai i800 by Wellhouse
Reimo Sport Camper
Tribute 669
Wheelhome Skarpa EBS
Van Conversions over £40,000
Autocruise Quartet
Auto-Sleeper County Sussex EB
Auto-Sleeper Windrush
Danbury Surf
Murvi Morocco
Rapido V56
Reimo Multi Style
Vantage SOL
Coachbuilts up to £45,000
Bailey Approach SE 625
Bailey Approach SE 745
Chausson Flash 10
CI Motorhomes Carioca 695
CI Motorhomes S Line 680
Marquis Lifestyle 624
Marquis Lifestyle 696
Marquis Majestic 115
Marquis Majestic 165
Richard Baldwin Motorhomes Fidato Special Edition
Roller Team T Line 670
Swift Hi Style 580PR
Swift Sundance 590RS
Tribute T715
Coachbuilts between £45,000 and £55,000
Auto-Sleeper Broadway EB
Auto-Sleeper Nuevo EK
Auto-Trail Tracker FB
Auto-Trail Tracker RS
Bailey Approach SE 760
Bentley Amber
Bentley Cerise
Bessacarr E582
Elddis Aspire 265
Knaus Sky Ti 650 MF
Rapido 646B
Coachbuilts over £55,000
Auto-Sleeper Cotswold FB ES
Bentley Mallory
Bentley Oulton
Bessacarr E769 LOW
Dethleffs Magic Edition T EB
Knaus Sun Ti 650 LF
A Class
Carthago E Line I49
Dethleffs Esprit I 7010
Pilote Explorateur Diamond G742 LCE
Pilote Reference G640 LR
