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quoteLunar Caravans launched two new family models this week’s 2011 Boat and Caravan Show at the NEC Birmingham. The four-berth Quasar 464 and five-berth Lexon 550 are both designed for families who would like a lightweight, high specification caravan that provides spacious and flexible living.
Lunar Quasar 464
The Quasar 464 brings a new dimension to a family layout, as amazingly, large as it seems, it fits into the same body shell as its two-berth stable mate, the Quasar 462. It has an open, spacious looking front lounge, bunks above the transverse rear dinette, which is such a practical layout for families.
Its specification matches that of the current Quasar family members with a shower room on the offside sporting a fully lined shower cubicle, plenty of storage and a decent nearside kitchen. Heating is courtesy of the Truma blown-air system
The upholstery, we’re told, is called Mazurka; it’s modern creams with a splashes of green and two tone scatter cushions. Co-ordinating bedsets are available separately.
Key facts of the 2011 Lunar Quasar 464
Single axle
MTPLM of around 1220kg.
Interior Length 4.690m
Overall Width 2.160m
Launch Price £14,295.00. From 1st March £14,595.00
Insurance cost: £244 *
*Caravan insurance cost based on 2011 Lunar Quasar 464 valued at £14,494 (includes optional extra – Al-Ko Secure at £199), fitted with hitchlock, wheelclamp and Al-Ko secure wheel lock. Kept on drive at HX4 0BE. Caravanners over 30 years old, claim free for 3 years and a member of a caravanning club. Premium calculated online and includes insurance premium tax at 6% and is correct as of 20.02.11.
Lunar Lexon 550
The new Lexon 550 is a five-berth caravan with fixed bunks, an offside shower room and a wider than average side dinette. Built on the current single axle body shell, it has a flexible layout and may well suit the family with more than 2.2 children.
The front end lounge with a central chest of drawers makes up into a double bed or two single beds; the side dinette becomes one larger than normal bed overnight, and with two bunks on the nearside it has flexible sleeping accommodation. We did like the side dinette; two adults and two smallish children, could we thought, sit and eat there without having to use the freestanding table at the front end and it makes a practical area for the kids to play at or extra space for when mum’s cooking. So if you want a mid-range caravan, with a good level of comfort and specification with flexibility for sleeping, dining or lounging this is one that might well be on your shortlist.
The soft furnishings are called Victoria, but there is nothing Victorian about them, just warm cream and browns with a hint of metallic. Co-ordinating bedsets, if you feel you must have them are available separately, as an optional purchase.
Key facts of the 2011 Lunar Lexon 550
Single axle
MTPLM around 1460kg
Interior Length 5.790m
Overall Width 2.280m
Truma blown air heating
Launch Price £17,295.00. From 1st March £17,695.00
Insurance cost: £293 **
**Caravan insurance cost based on 2011 Lunar Lexon 550 valued at £17,494 (includes optional extra – Al-Ko Secure at £199), fitted with hitchlock, wheelclamp and Al-Ko secure wheel lock. Kept on drive at HX4 0BE. Caravanners over 30 years old, claim free for 3 years and a member of a caravanning club. Premium calculated online and includes insurance premium tax at 6% and is correct as of 20.02.11.
Verdict
Preston based Lunar Caravans, a privately owned company, sees these two models fill a market need for a lightweight touring caravan, which can be towed by a smaller family towcar, giving the chance of greater fuel economy, given the recent and forthcoming hikes in fuel prices. They highlight the company’s commitment to producing lightweight touring caravans, with practical, comfortable, spacious layouts.
Both models can be seen on the Lunar stand at the National Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show this week on stand number 5170 in Hall 5 and will be available on retailer sites soon afterwards.
It’s great to see the layout offered by the quasar 464 that is also a great towing weight – most other caravan makers do not offer this layout or if they do towing weight is not suitable for my car. Well done Lunar!
This layout looks great on paper, have yet to see the real thing, however why do you have to stand in the shower tray to use the toilet on the Lexon 550. Why not put the toilet outside the shower tray as on the Quaser 464 – we use our shower a lot and this arrangement would stop me from buying this caravan. I don’t like wet feet when I use the toilet.