Explore Avida's latest motorhome that was designed to turn heads.
In the Australian motorhome world, at the big end of town, the choices are surprisingly few. Unlike North America, Europe and even New Zealand, Australia has very few new A-class motorhomes available. That leaves manufacturers like Avida to fill the gap with a motorhome like the latest variant of its C Class Longreach, the LX model.
Produced to coincide with Avida’s 60th anniversary last year, the Longreach has a very high level of appointment, as you might expect from a motorhome that doesn't leave too much change from half a million dollars.
The Longreach has been part of the Avida stable for some years and, as always, the LX version is based on the respected Isuzu truck chassis, the NQR 88-190 model. Since it has a GVM of 8,800kg, it falls into the MR (medium rigid) truck licence category – something to keep in mind if you are considering the Longreach.
WHAT’S NEW?
Although the layout might look familiar, there are plenty of other changes in the new Longreach LX.
Briefly summarised, the LX is gas-free – instead equipped with Avida’s Power Generation Kit, an all-battery/solar system with no mechanical generator. The outside kitchen is a new design, and the internal one features an induction hob and a multifunction microwave oven (microwave/air fryer/convection oven/grill), as well as a larger fridge and dishwasher.
In addition, the bench size has grown and with it internal storage capacity. The combined water/air heater is diesel-powered, there’s an RVsecure GPS and alarm as standard, and the motorhome is Starlink-ready. These are just some of the new additions and features.
LONG VEHICLE
My review model, the first available in Australia, came from Australian Motorhomes and Caravans (AusMHC) at Bennetts Green in Newcastle, New South Wales. I didn’t just turn up unannounced for a test drive. AusMHC general manager Chris Pippen told me that the Longreach LX, at 9.85m (32ft 4in) in length, takes a little while to get out of the showroom, but it was ready when I arrived.
It might sound a little daunting to drive a vehicle that long but, at 2.49m across (8ft 2in), the Longreach is no wider than many retail motorhomes, although it does require extra concentration when changing lanes or turning into service station driveways.
A 140kW, 5.2-litre turbo-diesel engine powers the Isuzu and transmits power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed AMT gearbox. Unlike most European truck manufacturers, Isuzu still uses an automated manual transmission rather than a torque-converter automatic, as used in the likes of the Iveco Daily and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
The turbo diesel and AMT performed willingly enough, shifting up and down, but a couple of times I had to manually persuade the gearbox to downshift a little earlier than it would like.
The noise levels in the cab aren’t any worse than most motorhomes I have driven lately. Because of the engine location, it’s a step up and down to access the motorhome's living area from the cab.
UPDATED LOOK
From the outside, Avida has put a bit of effort into the motorhome's appearance, and the Longreach LX stands out with its stylish black highlights – some look like windows but aren’t. Although there’s a luton peak, it doesn’t have the traditional bump, just a flat roof.
There are plenty of external storage compartments, which is good given the 1,458kg payload. One compartment contains a large outdoor kitchen with induction cooktop, and another stores the front-load washing machine on the passenger side.
During my photo shoot, it was very windy and the large side-hinged bin doors could have done with holding struts to keep them open. They are, however, at a fairly user-friendly height, requiring little bending over.
SLIDE-OUT LUXURY
On the interior, the Longreach LX sports a monochromatic colour scheme – white with black upholstery, window surrounds, tapware and shower frame.
When open, the two slide-outs – one for the lounge/dining area and one for the bedroom in the rear – add enormously to the interior space. Indeed, the area is so large that the motorhome has two Webasto roof-mounted air-conditioners. For natural ventilation, there are plenty of windows and conveniently located roof hatches.
Luxury is very much the theme in the Longreach. In addition to the well-padded four-person dinette, the electric reclining lounge chairs are in a class of their own.
There are three smart TVs – two in the living area/bedroom and one outside. Above the doorway, the Victron touch pad and Redfoot Levelling controls are close to hand. Because of its size, the Longreach will struggle in traditional caravan parks, so the Redfoot hydraulic stabilisers are a welcome feature for getting the motorhome level on uneven terrain.
Above the driver’s cab, the luton bed measures 1.91m x 1.37m (6ft 3in x 4ft 6in). There is a decent amount of headspace, and the windows on either side provide good crossflow of ventilation. Reading lights are fitted on either side of the beds.
In the rear, there’s plenty of room to move even when the 1.91m x 1.53m (6ft 3in x 5ft) bed is fully extended. At the base of the bed, the cabinetry built into the wall offers a decent array of wardrobe space, cupboards and drawers (plus TV). The bedhead has a couple of overhead lockers and shelves on either side of the bed.
Between the bedroom and living area, the split bathroom features a shower cubicle on the near side and a toilet cubicle on the opposite side. Both are quite spacious, and the toilet cubicle includes a small vanity cabinet with a wash basin and cupboard. When open, the toilet door closes off the bathroom and bed area from the living area.
BATTERY POWER
In its Power Generation Kit, Avida has opted for the 48V system for the inverter, solar panels, DC-DC charger and batteries. The 48V system is used because it reduces the cable size. However, the remainder of the DC electrical system is still 12V, running the lighting, awning, slide-outs and charger hubs.
Designed as a replacement for a mechanical generator, the standard power kit has a 10.2kWh (800Ah @12V) lithium LiFePO4 battery, a 5,000VA inverter and 1,680W of solar. The inverter makes light work of running high-power appliances – like air-conditioners and microwaves – for extended periods.
If the 10.2kWh battery isn’t enough, you can upgrade to 15.4kWh, which is what my Longreach came with – no worries about running the air-conditioners all day.
REMOTE CAMPING
In addition to the more-than-adequate battery power, the Longreach LX has a 375-litre freshwater tank and a 250-litre grey water tank. The only limiter to extended off-grid travel is the Thetford cassette toilet.
What makes this motorhome very attractive to many, apart from the luxury fit-out, is the easy alfresco lifestyle. Two Carefree awnings keep everything under cover; the external slide-out kitchen has all the necessary features, and the entertainment unit is set up for easy plug and play.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Avida’s new Longreach LX is more than just a motorhome. Very much designed for a comfortable life on the road, it’s a luxury home on wheels. That’s not really a surprise given the price, but the list of appointments is very high. That includes items like the twin slide-outs, the washing machine and the dishwasher.
However, it's the 48V electrics that draw attention – providing enough battery and inverter power for gas-free living and a reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
The length of the Longreach LX means it’s impractical for many caravan parks, which makes the self-containment features an asset. The total Longreach LX package is very much designed for leisurely travel across Australia.
VEHICLE
MANUFACTURER Avida
MODEL Longreach LX
BASE VEHICLE Isuzu NQR 88-190
TARE WEIGHT 7,342kg
GVM 8,800kg
PAYLOAD 1,458kg
LICENCE MR (over 8,000kg GVM)
PASSENGERS 4 (optional 6)
MECHANICAL
ENGINE 5.2 litre
POWER 140kW @ 2,600rpm
TORQUE 513Nm @ 1,600–2,600rpm
GEARBOX 6-speed AMT
BRAKES ABS disc
DIMENSIONS
EXTERNAL LENGTH 9.85m
EXTERNAL WIDTH (INCL AWNING) 2.49m
EXTERNAL HEIGHT 3.64m
INTERNAL HEIGHT 1.98m
BED SIZE (REAR) 1.91m x 1.53m
BED SIZE (LUTON) 1.91m x 1.37m
EQUIPMENT
COOKTOP Global Induction
FRIDGE NCE276 270L 12V compressor
MICROWAVE OVEN Camec
LIGHTING 12V LED
BATTERIES 10.2kWh (equiv to 800Ah @12V)
SOLAR PANELS 8 x 210W (1,680W)
AIR-CONDITIONER Webasto x2
TOILET Thetford Cassette
SHOWER Separate cubicle
WATER HEATER Truma Combi D
HEATER Truma Combi D
WATER TANK 375L
GREY TANK 250L
GAS CYLINDERS No
PRICE: FROM $470,990 DRIVE-AWAY (NSW)
(As displayed $494,309)
Extras include hydraulic levellers, tow bar, bull bar, power generation kit upgrade (15.4kWh battery pack, 5,000VA 48V inverter with 280A 240V battery charger).
