- Electric bed opens up the rear of the vehicle, and is so easy to use
- Luxurious interior features like Ultra Leather lining, granite-look bench, and huge fridge
- Retractable outdoor BBQ and audio system
- Separate toilet and shower
- Spacious kitchen
Talvor and its well-known rental division Apollo are among the fastest growing brands within the Australian and New Zealand RV industry.
There’s a
new production facility that opened in NZ earlier this year to accommodate, primarily, the construction of Apollo campervans, but it is also capable of producing private-focused Talvor motorhomes. There’s also Talvor’s latest model, the Murana.
This Murana flagship is clearly a pretty special vehicle. The first impression I note is its height. At 3.2m tall and 2.3m wide it’s no more slender or tall than your average motorhome, but with those distinctive vertical headlights it stands almost like a tower in front of me.
Alternatively the vehicle is available with a lowline roof option. The Volkswagen Crafter is the default choice for long-wheel base campers, but it’s refreshing to see the attractive VW underpin something of this nature.
Engine and power
On the road the Crafter handles the dimensions well, winding capably through narrow suburban streets, and even over the jiggly, pot-holed beach access road the interior is creak and rattle-free. At these slow urban speeds the six-speed semi-automatic transmission is proving its worth. The 100kW 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine develops 300Nm of torque at just 2000rpm. A little more grunt would be a nice bonus, but most will find the power unit more than adequate.
It also comes with the full complement of modern safety features, like dual airbags, stability and traction control, reversing camera and ABS brakes.
Luxury interior
The Murana interior stands out. The polished veneer cabinetry and earthy upholstery tones differ from anything else I’ve seen out of Aussie.
Snazzy? Of course. But what I enjoy is the real opulence that continues to impress the more you poke and prod. Talvor has invested in clean, white Ultra Leather for the Murana. OK, Ultra Leather is a synthetic product, but it looks great, albeit not as tough as the genuine article.
The lamp fittings aren’t necessarily the same off-the-shelf items you see time and again, they've been selected to impart a similar sense of luxury.
Other features include the Fiamma awning, retractable outdoor BBQ, audio system and TV connectivity.
The 7.7m length provides for a spacious bathroom area – with separate toilet and shower. This area could benefit from some additional natural light, but otherwise provides plenty of room and functionality. An additional hot/cold external shower is a standard feature.
The Murana could easily accommodate six, or a “luxury four-berth”. And luxury is definitely an apt term. Granite-look surfaces are used in the well-laid out kitchen and the dinette table, which gives the sensation the Murana should cost more than the launch price of $189,000.
Among its highlights are a good amount of space between the kitchen and bathroom modules, a pivoting 19” TV/DVD system that can be viewed from multiple positions, the simple retractable dinette, and a very high Luton. But the real party is the electrically retractable rear bed.
The rear of the vehicle has your typical U-shaped lounge, bathed in LED lighting, but there are no overhead cupboards so there’s improved headroom and the whole area feels more open. All the while above you is a cosy king-size bed, already made up and waiting. To convert the space for the evening you simply remove the three seat squabs from each wall and let the electric motor and chain drive system lower the bed for you. From lounge to fully dressed bed in 30 seconds.
Summary
There’s plenty to rave about with Talvor’s top model, the Murana. Obviously, the high-end feel, with plenty of Ultra Leather and polished timber veneer throughout, certainly takes Aussie luxury up a notch. But the real surprise and delight is an electrically retractable rear bed – converting between day and night modes is seldom easier than this. With standard climate-controlled A/C for the living zone, an outdoor BBQ and shower, separate toilet and internal shower and high quality interior furnishings it rivals some of the larger motorhomes in features.
Specifications
Base vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB
Engine 2.5-litre turbo diesel
Power 100kW
Torque 300Nm
Length/Width/Height 7700mm/2330mm/3230mm
Berths Four
Power supply 240-volt/120 watt solar. Triple charge system/ 2x100Ah batteries
Cooker Two-gas burner / 1 electric hotplate / grill and oven
Fridge 150 litre three-way (auto switching)
Toilet Separate Thetford cassette
Fresh water 150 litres
Grey water 100 litres (full NZ self-containment specifications)
