Going Grander
Swift’s Elegance range has obviously struck the right chord with lovers of luxury caravanning. That’s why it’s been extended for 2019 – in more ways than one.
The news
Swift’s flagship tour range has been extended to eight models for 2019, with two new layouts and significant improvements across all. But, there’s more. There are also going to be three extra-wide Swift Elegance Grande models – one will even have a drop-down bed (illustrated below)!
What’s different?
It’s all shifted even more upmarket from 2018’s six-model line-up, with two island bed model additions to the standard-width Elegances. The 8ft/2.44m-wide Elegance Grande models are all-new – two transverse island bed four-berth and a range-topping six-berth.
Among the upgrades
Swift is introducing the next generation of its Smart bodywork construction. Called Smart 3, now with a timber-free floor featuring a structural foam core, it’s all backed by 10-year bodyshell and lifetime water ingress warranties – the latter a first for the caravan market!
Also new are:
- The Swift Command system has been completely re-designed, with a larger touchscreen that’s easier to use, plus it now comes with DAB radio. Swift Command also has a pre-installed Thatcham Category 6 approved, proactive tracker that alerts you should your vehicle start moving. This will attract some healthy caravan insurance discounts with Caravan Guard once the owner has activated the tracker by paying the annual subscription.
- Washrooms now have shaving mirrors and speakers (on selected models).
- New Dometic cookers have a cut-out safety feature to their glass lids.
- A rear view monitoring system will mean safer towing – and could save you money on your caravan insurance premium.
- Other details include illuminated curtain pelmets, premium jockey wheel, on-board fresh water tank and more.
What Swift says
“Elegance is the epitome of luxury caravanning. This season, we have re-defined the meaning of Elegance with this stunning make-over of our flagship range. Leading the future of the caravan industry, our engineers have pioneered the latest, timberless construction with a revolutionary new floor composition, which delivers a lighter, yet stronger, Elegance. The introduction of the 8ft-wide Elegance Grande takes luxury to a new level, with the remarkable 655 layout (drop down bed) offering customers something completely unique.”
Pick-of-the-range
There’s little to choose between the newcomers we’ve seen in the new Elegance line-up. Both have island beds at the back. But, we’d pick the transverse double of the 635 over the more conventional longitudinal 560… just.
From the Elegance Grande trio, the 655 – with L-shaped front lounge, L-shaped kitchen, central wraparound seating and drop-down bed, plus longitudinal bunks, really does offer something a bit different.
And the rest
480, two-berth, end washroom, side kitchen
530, four-berth, side dinette, full-width end washroom
560, four-berth, rear island bed, central washroom facilities
565, four-berth, single beds, full-width end washroom
580, four-berth, transverse island bed, full-width end washroom
645, twin axle, four-berth, transverse island bed, full-width end washroom
650 twin axle, four-berth, rear island bed, central washroom facilities
635 Grande, four-berth, rear transverse island bed, central washroom facilities
645 Grande, four-berth, transverse island bed, full-width rear washroom
Interesting fact
Swift announced its first Elegances in 2014, the same year as it celebrated 50 continuous years of caravan manufacturing and a year after it introduced its Smart construction system. Today, Swift claims to be the single largest leisure vehicle brand (caravans and motorhomes combined) in the whole of Europe.
There’s more information on the Elegance range on the Swift website. To find out more about insuring this or your current caravan visit our caravan insurance discounts page.
In other Swift news…
The Eccles will be celebrating its 100th anniversary, which can only mean one thing – a range of special edition caravans. They’re sleek and modern, with a unique dark woodgrain on the lockers and a funky new moniker on the outside.
There will be eight models and three new layouts:
480, two berth
645, twin axle, four berth
650, twin axle, four berth
Watch this space for a review of the Swift Eccles 480 coming soon…
I like the 580 but note previous comments about reduced quality of construction. The payload of these single axle vans is totally insufficient for touring. Think motor mover, battery, an extra gas cylinder., aqua roll/ wastemaster, water in heater and you have used over two thirds of the available user payload. Why is there a fitting for a bike rack? It will put you overweight if you use it before you think of Pot/Pans, clothing, bedding, food and any personal items.
Nice looking van but needs at least another 100 kg available for habitation.
My 2012 conquer 565 had to have a new electric board in toilet.and a new cooker had a job to get that.and a few smaller jobs I have done myself
8ft is not that much wider when towing…if you have trouble in Devon or Cornwall with 8ft Caravan it will not be any better with a 7’4” one.
Just purchased a factory fresh 2018 Elegance 580, by the way got a great quote from Caravan Guard for the insurance. However the comments that the 2019 is more luxurious I do not agree. The 2019 model feels and looks like the conquerer from the previous year which was 2k cheaper. I could go into lots of detail but I won’t. Also the 2018 is completely timber free also. In addition they have used a cheaper construction method on the new 2019 similar to the previous year 2018 challenger which is why the front looks the same. The aerodynamics of the 2018 are also superior. Most of this was pointed out by a dealer but on my research I have had this confirmed. 2018 was last of a breed. I would be interested in what issues the other person on here had with their 2018 factory fresh van though.
Don’t tour in Norfolk either, buses, artic lorries will go right down the side of your 8 ft van. I am not being a killjoy!
Note: the rear camera is fixed to a reversing camera only, it does not function as a touring rear view camera, this is not stated in the brochure ?
The Swift website refers to a rear view camera for improved all round vision. This will help with reversing. https://www.swiftgroup.co.uk/caravans/swift-elegance
8 FOOT WIDE CARAVANS!
I had a Fleetwood caravan in the early 2000’s and went to the South Hams in 2004. On a road between Devon Banks near the crest of a small hill I met a number of cars. They all pulled in and stopped. I had no more than 3 inches either side of my van as I crept by. Later that day a large 4×4 towing a large caravan arrived. The driver had met a super market articulated delivery van on the same bit of road, they both had tail backs behind them and could not pass each other. It took over two hours to sort out the traffic and proceed to the caravan site.
A recent trip (not towing) to Somerset showed that the A39 near Minehead has a few very narrow parts especially in villages.
What confuses me is that the Eccles’ decor is modern yet the higher range elegance is back to cheap looking wood!
We have a Swift Elegegence purchased new last year. Fantastic luxury caravan and we have only had a few minor problem which were soon put right and certainly no major problems. Found the factory always eager to make sure thing were attended to. Looking forward to seeing the new 8ft wide version and are tempted to exchange our caravan for one. We travel to Europe a great deal in the summer and have found no sites which do not like twin axle caravans or 8ft wide ones one which are becoming very popular in Europe.
How many times do you go down Devon and Cornish type lanes towing your caravan? Very rare they are under 8 ft in width anyway and nosing you have a wider caravan behind you why would you want to make that your route. The largest model looks a beautiful home from home unit although if I do have a gripe it’s that more and more sites dislike twin axle caravans
Swift seem to be trying to monopolise the caravan / motorhome industry this does not do the customer any favours.
I have experience lots of issues with my swift caravan bought in 2013 after having lots of warranty claims on the caravan in the first 3 years was not a problem only the fact I had to keep taking the caravan back to the dealer 6 times in total.
I still have issues with the caravan and swift say they are not covered under the warranty I have argued with them to no avail, will not buy a swift caravan again.
8ft wide!!!. Don’t tour in Devon and Cornwall