Price range: £17,999-£18,999

 

 

The new mid-priced Affinity range replaces Odyssey, which was dropped at the end of last season. Affinity shares the same bodyshell as the Avanté, with all four models weighing less than 1500kg. The BPW V-Tec chassis and Winterhoff stabiliser are also used in the Avanté, but the Affinity also gets IDC (Intelligent Drive Control) as standard.

 

 

The detailing is upmarket, with external gas and 230V points, an alarm and Alde wet central heating. The decor nods towards the Crusader and Buccaneer, while a TV with Freeview and a radio/CD player with iPod and MP3 connectivity come as standard. Kitchens get black granite-style sinks and drainers and illuminated cocktail cabinets.

 

 

Competitors to Elddis Affinity in the upper mid-market sector include Elddis Affinity, Lunar Stellar/Lexon, Sterling Eccles SE and Swift Challenger SE.

 

 

 

2013 Elddis Affinity range

Affinity 482 NEW

Two berths. End washroom, offside midships kitchen floor plan. Price £17,999. MTPLM: 1310kg 

 

 

Affinity 530 NEW

Three berths, with the option to add a fourth berth in the shape of a lift-up bunk. End washroom, offside midships dinette, nearside midships kitchen floor plan. Price £18,999. MTPLM: 1450kg 

 

 

Affinity 540 NEW

Four berths. End washroom, nearside rear fixed bed, offside midships kitchen floor plan. Price £18,999. MTPLM: 1450kg 

 

 

Affinity 550 NEW

Four berths. Rear fixed island bed, midships washroom across width of caravan, offside midships kitchen floor plan. Price £18,999. MTPLM: 1450kg 

 

 

Affinity 574 NEW

Four berths. End washroom, rear twin-fixed- single beds, offside midships kitchen floor plan. Price £18,999. MTPLM: 1496kg  

 

Star van: Affinity 540

Both the Avanté and Affinity ranges have the

540 layout, which has the ever-popular fixed double bed and large end

washroom. It should do well in both ranges, but if you want luxury as

well as convenience on a single axle and at under 1500kg, and you can

run to the extra £2400, you’ll want the Affinity.

 

 

Step inside the

van and your first impression is one of space and luxury. The dark, warm

wood tone is reminiscent of the cabinet work in the Buccaneer range,

and the oatmeal-coloured upholstery with contrasting purple edging is

both practical and classy.

 

 

It’s the details that count: there are four spotlamps in the

front lounge, the kitchen has a square black sink and drainer with

black washing-up bowl, a cocktail cabinet, plenty of worktop, a

dual-fuel hob and, opposite, a microwave set below roof locker height

with a small cupboard above and workspace below for placing hot dishes.

There are also points here for a TV.

 

 

The Alde central heating is a

boon in the washroom, where towel rails are positioned over the heating

vents to dry out damp towels.

 

 

Outside, a sculpted back panel with

grey decorative trim around the light clusters gives the van a more

contemporary look. At the front, the full-width locker permits great

access to the gas cylinders and plenty of room to store lightweight

touring paraphernalia.

 

 

Contact

Elddis, Delves Lane, Consett, County Durham DH8 7PE. Tel 01207 699 000 Web www.elddis.co.uk Dealers 45