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KEA Introduces New Camper Concept

Published: Fri 3 Mar 2006 01:24 PM
KEA Introduces New Camper Concept
KEA Campers is set to revolutionise the motorhome industry in New Zealand with the introduction of a completely new concept.
The new Deluxe Recreational Camper “BN” will be released to the public at the NZ National Motorhome & Caravan Expo in Hamilton from March 2 to 5.
“We’re excited by the potential of this new vehicle, which is the most flexible and dual-purpose vehicle we have designed and built to date,” says KEA Campers Executive Director and head of the KEA Manufacturing Company design team, Grant Brady.
“There has been so much market demand for this style of vehicle and we are very excited to be able to meet this demand.”
It was KEA’s introduction of the first van-sized two-berth shower and toilet camper in 1995 that put the company on the international tourism map and revolutionised camper van holidays in New Zealand.
KEA has once again broken the mould by developing the new deluxe four-seater people mover/camper van combination. It is based on the VW Transporter, and for the first time there will also be colour options available in red, blue and silver, rather than the traditional KEA white.
“The real selling point is that this new KEA Camper is a people mover and can sleep three to four. It will be equally good as a four-person vehicle with extra storage space for luggage and the facilities to take and prepare food and drinks,” says Grant Brady. “The flexibility of this vehicle is a real benefit for tourists.
“It’s exciting for KEA to once again be introducing a new class of vehicle, the second in the 10th year since we started in business. We believe it has advanced the camper van concept in New Zealand to a new level,” he says.
The camper has seating for four, utilising the driver and passenger bucket seats, plus a two-person car-style seat in the rear. The front seats swivel to face the rear and a four-seater table can be installed between the front and rear seats for dining.
An aircraft-style DVD screen folds down from above the front seats so those seated in the rear can watch TV or play DVDs.
The kitchen features a two-burner gas stove and an 85 litre fridge which is run off the 12 volt electrical system. Solar panels are fitted to supplement electrical charging. The 11 litre hot water tank is heated from the engine’s cooling system.
The rear bench seat is fully engineered and is comfortably contoured, including headrests. The seat belts are three point diagonal/lap belts for added safety and these surpass New Zealand mandatory safety requirements.
The rear seat slides forward to form a lower double berth – while the pop-top roof lifts to increase headroom for a second double berth.
The design, concept and construction have all been completed by KEA Manufacturing Company (KMC) which builds all KEA’s campers. The camper is based on a long wheelbase VW Transporter TS. The 96kW turbo diesel engined camper has a six speed automatic gearbox and all the usual VW factory features, including airconditioning, dual airbags, ABS braking, CD player/radio and power mirrors and windows.
In 10 years, KEA has grown into a pre-eminent company in the Australian and New Zealand tourism industries, with over 800 camper vans and motor homes operating across both markets.
The company has introduced many innovative features including specialised central locking, walk in enclosed toilet and shower, large single/double beds, safety deposit boxes, security screens, high-grade macro suede fabric seat covers and solar panels. Its camper vans are all based on vehicles from the world’s biggest manufacturers – Ford, Toyota and now, VW.
The company’s professionalism was demonstrated when it achieved a unique feat in NZ tourism – being judged the country’s top performing tourism company for the second consecutive year.
It was the first time in the Awards’ 50-year history that a company has won the Supreme Award twice. KEA also won the Distinction Award, which puts the company in the NZ tourism hall of fame.
KEA also won the Major Category Award for Tourism and Transportation Services, the Major Innovator Award, and the Categories Awards for Transportation Provider, and Innovation in E- Commerce and New Technology.

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