Bailey announces refreshed Pegasus line-up

BAILEY IS LAUNCHING a refreshed range of Pegasus tourers in time for the Spring Caravan & Camping Show at NEC Birmingham.

 

Pegasus was the first range produced using Bailey’s innovative Alu-tech construction technique in 2009 and this is the third generation. After the new launches from Swift, Lunar and Elddis put Alde heating into mid-range products, the Pegasus II started to look a little off the pace, despite offering good value, attractive interiors and all the most in-vogue layouts.

 

Built to commemorate the company’s 65th anniversary, the Pegasus GT65 follows a rich Bailey tradition of caravans loaded with lots of kit at very sensible money. It is seeking to rekindle the company’s reputation for value, cemented with models such as the 2005 Pageant Series 5 and 2008 Ranger GT60. Prices are yet to be announced but we suspect they will be close to current Pegasus II pricing, meaning they would start at around £16,500. 

 

Pegasus improvements

It is easy to see where Bailey has got its inspiration from in clawing back ground in the competitive mid-market segment. Some innovations from the recently launched Unicorn II range have been introduced and weights have been reduced although there are no new layouts.

 

Chief among the improvements is the introduction of the Unicorn front-end. The vertical, opening sunroof is installed, while the gas locker is moved to the offside to aid access, reduce noseweight and increase interior lounge space. Other carry-overs from the range-topper include Michelin tyres, reduced weight and all-GRP sidewalls. 

 

GT65 interiors

Immediately on entering a GT65, the amount of natural light available is obvious. Larger side windows and the huge vertical rooflight are the main reason. The lounge seems very spacious, thanks to the recessed centre chest, made possible by having the gas locker on the side. 

 

Further back, in the kitchen, you get a circular sink — a la Unicorn II — and a dual-fuel cooker, with one electric hotplate. There’s plenty of task lighting and tall overhead storage lockers will swallow plenty of provisions. 

 

There’s also a new blown-air heating system, from Whale. Mounted under the floor to save space and controlled from a smart digital touch screen panel, the Whale I-Van system wirelessly controls the heater, saving weight over conventional wired systems. 

 

A less obvious change is that Bailey has reduced the width of the new Pegasus models – GT65 caravans are 50mm (two inches) narrower than the Pegasus II range. It helps make these new models on average 50kg lighter than the current versions, bringing even more suitable towcars into play. 

 

As you’d expect, the full list of Al-Ko extras, including ATC anti-snaking system, shock absorbers and stabiliser are included, but unusually at this price point, the Secure wheel lock is bundled too, saving a useful couple of hundred pounds compared to rivals. 

 

The new Pegasus GT65 line-up will be arriving on dealer forecourts from March. With the sunroof, extra kit and weight reductions, it’s definitely the best Pegasus yet and is very desirable.