Avanti by Damon
From elkhart indiana, a lesson in quality and value
Words and photos by John Page
American know-how with a taste of European inspiration has given us this good-looking compact Motorhome. Compact in American terms but somewhat larger than medium size in our neck of the woods. It is though measurably narrower in width and height than most RVs from North America and shapely with it compared to the typical bus fronted American vehicle. Damon agents, Signature Motorhomes of Wolverhampton have played a part in the birth of Avanti: consequently they are pleased with what Damon have achieved regarding the specification and its price tag. Our three-day experience with the machine was sufficient to appreciate how Damon have incorporated the best of American features in a package likely to appeal to customers in the UK who like to rough it in considerable style.
Construction
The important difference between the USA and the European market is that the competition is fiercer over there and so they have to try harder. I’ll give you an example: some years ago as one of a group of dealers invited to see an example of what an American manufacturer could supply us with we agreed that the vehicle on offer was fine but it needed a different layout. The boss didn’t say much but did look thoughtful. Through the night the vehicle was dismantled and re-assembled to our ideas by craftsmen who had already worked the day shift! We imported them. And with the dollar at $2.40 to the pound they represented fantastic value for money.
From the bottom up Avanti is built on a Workhorse W16D chassis cowl powered by a 4.5-litre, V6 turbo diesel motor driving the rear wheels through an Allison four-speed automatic gearbox. On that foundation the body structure is of an aluminium cage construction, clad with GRP and insulated with block foam. In basement fashion slung beneath the chassis, are the services and support systems of house batteries, 80lbs LPG tank, generator and the various black and grey water holding tanks. Also at basement level is an array of large weatherproof lockers at a convenient height to manhandle all the tackle stowed in them. Open the entrance door to actuate the entrance steps, and then climb two more and you are at floor level midway between the cab and the bedroom. Press the button for the slide out to increase the width of the lounge and the kitchen to a palatial 2.76m (9’1”) and be gob smacked by an interior that has all the style and panache of an ocean going yacht.
For down to earth practicality though the Yanks have got it sorted, so whether it’s the lights, the air conditioning, the heating, the cooking or the generator – the necessary switches are always obvious and plainly labelled. Ingenious double glazed glass windows with permanently fitted fly screens that open with a knurled disc are effective and a strong deterrent against forced entry.
ON THE ROAD
A driver friendly cockpit keeps the driver workload as simple as possible with just the three; speed, engine temperature and fuel gauge dials visible through the arc of the steering wheel and sundry switches to the right. To the left the auto gear lever is comfortable for the left hand and further back the switching for the hydraulic jacks is within easy reach. Forward visibility is fantastic through the panoramic windscreen with corner pillars set well back and glare reduced by the tinted top section. I can also see over the top of cars ahead.
A little while since I had sat behind the wheel of an American Motorhome – so take it easy for a bit. An immediate impression that the power steering was more positive than I remember and that the suspension, or was it the seat, gave a more resilient ride. Both large mirrors were fine to check that I was neatly inside the dotted line and close but not too close to the kerb on this narrow twisty road. Pick up of the motor seems slow until I remember typical Yank accelerator pedals call for a heavier foot approach than the European. Fifteen minutes gone, relaxed now and enjoying the ride and the consideration from car drivers that our size inspires. Fuel consumption will be in the order of 14 – 18 mpg and cruising is most enjoyable at around 55 – 60mph. Surprising is a tight turning circle achieved by the 50-degree angle of the front wheels in a turn.
Imagine driving the Avanti seated in armchair comfort, with cruise control engaged, perfectly relaxed and the mountains shimmering in the distance – what a way to travel.
LIVING THE AVANTI WAY
A deadlock in addition to the standard lock for the entrance door is reassuring, especially in dodgy locations. And there is just the one entrance door. In an emergency one of the bedroom windows drops out with the release of two red painted levers.
On site, the jacks have brought us dead level, the awning is powered out above the entrance door and it takes only a minute or so to set up the TV aerial. Swivel the cab seats and in supreme style at least six adults can sprawl out on leather seats that are delightfully soft and restful to the eye. The same goes for the round table, wonderfully sociable and well placed for watching the box over in the corner. Partition doors and cupboard fronts in wood veneer, the soft feel ivory ceiling and extensive built in entertainment systems for TV and DVD are also part of the design style.
One remote handles the complete climate control package of the air con and the heating – select the temperature you will feel comfortable with and the electronics will do the rest. Ducts for air con are flush fitted into the ceiling and heat outlets are at floor level. Interesting is the detail of how the lighting gives a variety of effects for the lounge or the bedroom and a ceiling mounted surround sound system covering all of the living quarters.
Sleeping
For the no hassle making of the bed and jumping into it the island bed is the business. This King size deep interior sprung one is an ideal example of the type complete with pillows and matching cover. In bed entertainment is from a cunningly ceiling mounted 17” TV and DVD player that clips neatly away after switching off. Space to stow clothes is exceptionally generous with ingenious use of the compartment underneath the bed when it is tilted on gas struts – this in addition to the conventional wardrobe and roof lockers.
Now we come to the drop down bed, surely the best of its type yet. Stowed, it fits tight and secure against the roof, then lowers without fuss to a convenient height. Climb the wide tread ladder to stretch out on a generous 1.37m wide by 1.88m long (4’6” x 6’2”) double bed. Straightforward sturdy design makes this a star among drop downs. Night time privacy for the entire cab area is by smooth running vertically pleated blinds. Study our pic’ here for the detail.
CULINARY DETAIL
Not large overall but of the ideal angled layout variety; it’s well served for practical stowage of both the tools and the foodstuffs. Across the hall, virtually floor to ceiling, the black fronted fridge/freezer is always completely accessible. We liked the combined convection/microwave oven known as a half-time and the simple instructions to use it. Set into the worktop the basic two burner hob will cope with the occasional boil and steam functions extra to the half-time. Within its own section of the indestructible Coryon worktop, the wide, deep SS sink has ample surrounding workspace for preparation. Lighting is intelligently placed and the cooking vapours will be instantly dealt with through the extractor above the hob and the nearby Magic roof vent with its two directional powered fan.
WASHROOMS
Straddling the passage to the bedroom is the generous proportioned washroom to the offside and shower cubicle opposite. A clever arrangement of the doors to the lounge and the bedroom creates a changing/towelling room area linking both elements. Locker space is better than generous, the lighting and mirrors sensibly placed and the ceramic bowl foot-pedal flush toilet is a civilised piece of gear. It does not need to be emptied as often the cassette type and has all the necessary equipment for engagement on all-service campsites.
STOWAGE
Numerous secure and waterproof basement lockers and the rear garage can swallow any amount of bulky and outdoor gear without upsetting the weight distribution. It was interesting also to see how well arranged were the house batteries, the generator and LPG tank under the chassis. Access to the front of the engine compartment was good when the bonnet cowl was raised, and a removable panel inside adjacent to the dashboard was also useful. Throughout the interior there’s a plethora of roof lockers and loads of easily accessible space beneath both couches. Ingenious, was the way that the ladder for the guest bed stowed tidily in a niche against the ceiling for easy access before lowering the bed.
Summary
You will probably have gathered by now that Avanti has obviously been the subject of a great deal of lateral thinking applied to traditional methods of building Motorhomes. Signature has also had a hand in this, which is just as it should be but often is not. After all those at the sharp end get to know quickly the strengths and weaknesses of the vehicles they sell but are not always listened to. Avanti is an example of a manufacturer who has listened well. I think it’s a damn good Motorhome and certainly value for money. It has a quite different feel to a European Motorhome and is probably not capable of breaking the sound barrier but to tour effortlessly over any distance it should be great. More’s the pity that we couldn’t have had it for longer but that’s business.
TECHNICAL DATA
Vehicle specification: Damon Avanti, four berth, A-Class Motorhome
Price of vehicle tested: £126,500
Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by: Signature Motorhomes Ltd, Cannock Road, Westcroft, Wolverhampton, WV10 8QU. Tel: 01902 725394
CONVERSION
Overall length: 9.72m
Overall width: 2.39m
Overall height: 3.32m (w/AC)
MPTLM 7,273kg
Payload: 606kg
Construction: Aluminium cage construction with block foam insulation and GRP exterior.
Fresh water capacity: 189-litres
Waste water capacity: 302-litres. Total for grey and black water
Gas storage capacity: 80lbs
Auxiliary batteries: two x 110ah
Refrigerator: Dometic 8 cu,ft fridge/freezer
Water heater: 22-litre gas with electric ignition
Space heater: 34,000 BTU with electronic ignition
Air conditioning: 13,500 BTU remote thermostatically controlled
Lighting: mix of spotlights and ceiling fittings
Upholstery: two-tone soft leather throughout
Other equipment fitted: automatic levelling jacks with touch pad controls, emergency start circuit, side mounted patio awning, dual rear wheels, tilt steering wheel, Cummins Onan diesel generator
BASE VEHICLE
Type: Workhorse W16D chassis cowl
Power unit: 4.5-litre, V6 turbo diesel
Maximum power: 200bhp @ 2700rpm
Maximum torque: 440lbs ft @ 1800rpm
Transmission: four-speed automatic
Steering: ZF variable ratio power steering
Braking: four wheel disc brakes with ABS system. Transmission mounted park brake
Fuel capacity: 151-litres
PERFORMANCE
Fuel consumption: estimated 14-18mpg
Maximum speed: estimated 80mph
Comfortable cruising speed: 55-60mph
