WILDAX EUROPA

NEW RENAULT GETS THE WILDAX TREATMENT

Words and photos by John Page

Testing a prototype is always a challenge because it is likely to be a tilt at the established way of doing things. And when you are in the business of constructing a Motor Caravan of the Camper category the desire to go one better may well be inherent. So it is with Wildax apparently but let’s start from the beginning with that intriguing company name. Visions of Native Americans are all wrong because Wildax is a clever amalgamation of MD Duncan Wildman’s surname and colleague Chris Axon’s surname. In 2009 they introduced Solaris, an original four-berth Camper with longitudinal bunks to one side of the vehicle. It was a Fiat based true four-berth with a superbly practical floor plan – impressive for its originality. Europa, the subject of our regular searching live-in test is based on Renault’s plump looking new long wheelbase Master. No one will mistake it for a Fiat because it has curves rather than angles. Mid November, we’ve arrived at the Caravan Club’s Chatsworth campsite in atrocious weather – cold, excessively damp but as ever a friendly welcome from the hard working staff who have the patience of Job and a sense of humour.

Construction

No surprise that the body including the high top roof is of steel; still one of the best, toughest and most endurable materials to use providing it is properly prepared from the outset. You can weld it, screw into it and paint it any colour you like, in this case one of the many whites that exist. Cutting holes in the body for windows etc is a first step, followed by the addition of insulation for walls, roof and floor, the wiring harness, gas piping and plumbing. Furniture units come next before the inner leather clad wall surfaces. LED lighting throughout is a designer bonus, for its minimal energy needs, relatively cool running and bright illumination.

Consequently it is used lavishly for Europa with twenty well-placed spotlights. Curved furniture surfaces and sweeping bends is the attractive layout theme that is not only pleasing to the eye but also avoids sharp corners.Welcome indeed with the air temperature hovering at around 3oC was the Truma Combi 4E gas/electric ducted heater with its sophisticated variable energy source giving the choice of nine programme options. My initial reaction was why such a choice but taking the trouble to fiddle a bit was helpful so that through the night it was possible to have the system ticking over noiselessly to keep the temperature comfortable. Less helpful should you need them were the gas isolator taps at the back of a floor level locker and the electric safety trip switches awkwardly placed under the nearside couch.

The Renault Machinery

From the company that won the Grand Prix Manufacturers Award as well as supplying the car that Sebastian Vettel drove to become Formula One champion for 2010, we have here a Renault Master L3H2 with its rather more modest 125bhp turbo diesel motor. Modest it may be but it carries two people with total protection from the elements. Another little difference is our Renault Europa’s fuel consumption of 35mpg against Sebastian’s flying machine of 6mpg. Europa also wins out for load capacity with some 500kg available against the Grand Prix machine with just enough space for a packet of crisps. For a variety of reasons it was only possible to make a short drive of the Europa but help in the shape of a demonstrator panel van with a similar character was made available to us by Renault dealer Smiths of Peterborough who handed over the key and invited us to check it out. The first impression is that here is a taut machine with beautifully responsive steering; with the cab ergonomics sorted for non-fussy control and excellent all round visibility. Six speeds and bags of torque gives all the acceleration you need whenever it’s wanted and the noise level is reasonably unobtrusive. Radio reception is fine at cruising speeds and cruise control, air conditioning and a reversing camera are available options. Suspension is from reliable leaf springing at the rear and ubiquitous Macpherson type struts up front. Front and rear anti-roll bars are the unsung elements that do so much to give the reassuring stiff ride quality. Standard kit includes air bags for pilot and navigator, electric mirrors and a passenger seat swivel. And in case you weren’t aware Renault vans outsell all other makes in Europe. Engine Off, Heater Engaged The ‘U’ seating plan here is arguably the most successful of Camper configurations with space to sit or sprawl with feet up and at mealtimes enjoy good back support. Windows on three sides give an almost 180o view of the surrounding countryside and the space under the couches provides a generous stowage area. Europa however brings to that formula a unique appearance and feeling of luxury with the white and dove grey leather seating also reflected with the wall surfaces, ceiling and cassette window frames. Leather is unusual as a Camper fabric but undoubtedly durable and firmly comfortable.Heating controls on the nearside wall are right where they should be, with the thermostat also positioned at the optimum immediately above them. Switched to combined gas/electric we needed only a setting of three during daytime and two throughout the especially cold damp nights. On the lower setting it was virtually noiseless. Best of all regarding power is the fixed under floor propane gas tank to dispel any concern about gas cylinder capacity. Concealed when not in use, the TV option is placed at an ideal viewing position on a rear-facing wall on the offside.

Sleeping

There are three options – singles beds, a double bed with feet facing forwards and our preferred option of a double sleeping across the width. The latter is only recommended for those under 1.75m in height. Whilst the two side backrest cushions proved to be firmly resilient and comfortable their manipulation was awkward. Opting for four cushions in the same space will solve the problem. The rearmost cushion against the back doors fills the space between both couches when its support base is slotted into place. Whichever choice of sleeper you opt for there will be a pair of convenient reading lights in place. TV watching will be first class when single beds or the long double position is your choice.

Kitchen

This is the piece de resistance of Europa – painstakingly planned, original and practical with it. Workspace is of the best, the sink tucked away until needed and differing shapes of cupboard above and below for the various packages, tins and bottles etc, together with the culinary tools. This is one of those developments that will inevitably be copied and most will wonder why they didn’t think of it. Workspace of which there is more than ample here, is the key to producing interesting and nutritious meals that are essential if you are the active type of camper that goes to the Derbyshire Peak district for the walking and exploring. The three-shelf slide-out storage rack is a real space saver; the large floor level lockers are fine for the pots and stuff, with the new Thetford fridge accessible across the gangway. Three hob burners with full oven below are of a decent size, with glass top adding more worktop area. Two wall mounted mains sockets are located at back of the hob. Galley lighting is ample and the adjacent roof vent can be an effective fume extractor. Meals on wheels minus fuss.Washroom Lateral thinking here again is the sliding flexible door that saves space, makes a shower curtain superfluous and moves quietly in the dead of night. The ubiquitous folding sink is still the best solution in a Camper for its reasonable size and tuck-away capability. Immediately above it the mirror fronted locker is well placed for bathroom tackle. Lighting is from a pair of LED spots and ventilation guaranteed via the roof vent. The wheeled toilet cassette and the porous removable carpet are all part of a thoughtful washroom scheme.

Stowage

Overall the capacity is generous, however the compartment above the cab needs a slight modification to contain the table for which this location is potentially ideal. The plethora of sliding front roof lockers with their foolproof accessibility is superb, practical and a pleasing part of the décor. Opening the rear doors accesses locker space ideal for tools, the mains cable and muddy boots. Especially spacious compartments under the two couches can contain no end of tackle but lifting the long seat cushions on either side is at present awkward. This will be solved with the addition of hinged flaps to the seat base fronts on this prototype and regular production Europas. In the cab Renault provides a series of stowage places and lockers guaranteed to satisfy even the most squirrel like crews. Sat nav if fitted by Renault is by roof fitting and an eye-level screen.

Summary

Congratulations Wildax for some original thinking on the Camper theme. In dire weather we stayed warm, comfortable and well fed – necessary then and later when rock walking followed testing. Funny how new vehicle shapes can arouse reservation in one’s psyche followed by reflection – and then affection? Vive la difference in fact. Maybe there’s a bit of that with the Wildax team as well because they are certainly different thinkers. The roof locker idea is so simple and so effective and trouble free that you can hardly believe it. Brilliant lighting, literally and metaphorically. Initial reservation for the grey and white leather upholstery changed to respect for its firm comfort   during the day and night. Modifying the backrest cushions to four instead of two items would make them altogether easier of handling. As ever bed making improves with familiarity. There will be of course alternative upholstery fabrics possible for the Europa that are on offer, plus a super range of Renault body colour options that include red, orange, two blues, green, yellow and silver. We did the prototype thing and enjoyed it overall.

C’EST formidable as the French so eloquently put it.

TECHNICAL DATA

Vehicle specification:

Wildax Europa two-berth Camper

Price of vehicle tested: £44,890 including leather upholstery option

Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by:

Wildax Conversions Ltd, Eastgate, Elland,

West Yorkshire, HX5 9DQ.

Tel: 01422 372111

CONVERSION

Overall length: 619m

Overall width: 207m

Overall height: approx. 260m

MPTLM: 3500kg

Payload: 500kg approx

Construction: All steel-bodied vehicle

with insulated walls, roof and floor.

Fresh water capacity: 100 litres

Waste water capacity: 100 litres

Gas storage capacity: 30 litres

Auxiliary battery: 2 x 100Ah

Refrigerator: Dometic 80-litre fridge freezer

Water heater: Truma Combi model 4e – gas /electric water and blown air ducted

space heating

Lighting: All LED spotlighting

Upholstery: Leather with abstract dove grey and white pattern

Other equipment fitted: flat screen TV

BASE VEHICLE

Type: Renault Master L3H2. LWB panel van

Power unit: 2.3dCi

Maximum power: 125 bhp @ 3500rpm

Maximum torque: 310Nm @ 1250-2500rpm

Transmission: Six-speed manual

Steering: Power assisted rack and pinion

Braking: ABS and ESP

PERFORMANCE

Fuel consumption: Estimated 35mpg

Maximum speed: Estimated 80 + mph

Comfortable cruising speed: 65-70mph