New for 2018 this range of stylish static caravans are aimed at the first time buyer.
This four-model Atlantique static caravan line-up from Swift Group has some nicely designed internal features with a contemporary twist.
Introduced as an ‘entry point’ range – it was first shown to the public at The Lawns Show in September 2017. Here we look at the 28ft x 12ft two-bedroomed model.
The Swift Atlantique features a bonded sandwich construction for the exterior walls which are built in modules before being fixed together and clad with either aluminium or Canexcel. There are two colour options; woodgrain textured sandy beige, which featured on our review model, and environmental green – available as an optional extra.
The roof is built using prefabricated trusses, clad in the usual black steel pantiles. Distinctive, moulded GRP bargeboards set off the roof and there’s a short overhang at the front and two inset strip LED downlights, which give a decent amount of light to the front deck (if you have one fitted).
The front elevation features a large, white sliding patio style door to the left with twin top opening hopper style windows to either side allowing the maximum amount of light to enter the lounge. Our review model was fitted with double aspect French style doors, which are an optional extra.
The Atlantique’s white framed uPVC windows have push button security locks and the model we looked at had Thermaglas double-glazing. The static caravan sits atop a Fusion fully galvanised chassis which has a 10-year warranty, with Bankside Patterson.
The Atlantique is also very well insulated. There’s 50mm of insulation built into the floor, 90mm in the roof and 30mm in the walls, plus all the pipework below floor level has been fully lagged against frost. It also benefits from a central heating system of radiators powered by a gas combi-boiler.
For a change, let’s enter the lounge through the front doors! A bright and airy space opens up and is enhanced by the full height pitched ceiling and LED downlights. There’s a combination unit comprising what would be the fireplace – the electric fire is an optional extra – and there’s a panel at the bottom where this would go. Above this is a set of shelves and a mirror and to the right is a long shelf for mounting a flat panel television and below there’s a panel designed to look like reclaimed, bleached planks – giving the Atlantique a ‘coastal feel’.
On the opposite side of the lounge is a large wraparound, L-shaped sofa unit in beige and blue (‘Koi’) which hides a pull-out sofa bed for occasional use. You also get a free-standing coffee table with storage underneath. Curtains are in a similar deep blue to that of the sofa and are fully lined with tie-backs and hung on chromed rods.
There would be space here for a few personalised items (extra shelves/unit/pouffe etc.) for customers wanting to add to the standard supplied items. It should also be noted that the lounge has a laminated floor as standard and a fully fitted carpet with underlay is only available as an optional extra – another way of achieving a keen price.
One side of the sofa forms a demarcation between lounge and kitchen; the other side has the dining table which, unusually, has two bench seats instead of the usual chairs. These are upholstered in the same fabric as the sofa and gives a nice continuity of style between the lounge and kitchen/dining areas. You get two benches in the two-bed models and three in the three-bed ones.
The kitchen in the Atlantique is a simple C-shape in the same light oak laminate as that used on the lounge units. Standard fittings include a glass-fronted oven and grill with electric ignition, a stainless steel cooker hood with an extractor vented to the outside, a four-burner gas hob with glass splashback and a stainless steel sink/drainer with mixer tap. There’s also space for a microwave on the wall units above the window.
The rest of the kitchen has 30mm worktops in white and a plentiful array of matching cabinets – enough at any rate for storing most of your kitchen equipment and accessories. There’s no fridge on the Atlantique but there’s space for one to be fitted under the counter.
We think the caravan would benefit from a microwave and fridge as standard, given they really are a modern day necessity for family holidays.
Moving on, the access corridor which contains a row of coat hooks leads you into the usual sleeping and bathing areas. On the right is the shower room with a large shower cubicle with thermostatic shower unit, a dual flush toilet which is set on an angle to make the best use of the limited space and a pedestal handbasin.
There’s also a low-slung radiator-cum-towel rack and a shelf with a mirror above. Larger models have en-suite facilities with a toilet and handbasin.
The twin bedroom is, as you might expect on a 28ft x 12ft footprint, fairly compact. Nevertheless there are two decent sized beds, with Duvalay mattresses, separated by a low table with storage shelf and two cabinets mounted on the wall above the bed heads. A simple opening window sits in the middle and allows plenty of light to enter the room. At the foot of the right hand bed is a half size wardrobe with hanging space.
The double bedroom at the back of the caravan is also a fairly small room but the light walls, furniture and soft furnishings make it seem larger and therefore welcoming. The bed, placed centrally has a nice feature panel headboard with a large set of shelves and cupboards on the wall above.
You also get two bedside cabinets with shelves, cupboards and reading lamps and the bed itself, although a basic steel frame, does have a comfortable Duvalay mattress. It’s on four legs, which means that there’s accessible storage underneath for those that need it. A large double sized window (one half opens) lets in lots of light and, in summer months, fresh air. Soft furnishings match those in both colour and style to those in the rest of the static caravan.
At the foot of the bed is a half height wardrobe with hanging space and open shelves below and to the left is a vanity shelf with mirror, power socket, lighting and a small circular stool. The bedroom flooring is covered in a basic, mid-brown Berber style carpet.
Verdict
Swift’s Atlantique range should prove popular with those it’s aimed at – namely first time buyers or those on tight budgets. The basics are all there, enfolded in a bright and contemporary design that is quite appealing. It’s a shame, though, that the keen price point doesn’t allow for basics like a fridge, microwave or lounge carpet.
Plus points
Bright and airy contemporary ‘coastal’ design.
Spacious lounge.
Attractive, comfortable master bedroom.
Minus points
No shaver socket in bathroom.
A microwave and simple fridge would have been nice!
In-a-nutshell
With the Atlantique series Swift have brought to the market a range of stylish and affordable holiday caravans with some nice design tweaks.
Factfile
Size: 28ft x 12ft
Build standard: BS EN1647.
Berths: Four, in two bedrooms (one twin and one double) with a plus two on pull-out sofa bed in the lounge.
Other layouts available: 32ft x 12ft 2-bedroom; 35ft x 12ft, 2-bedroom; 35ft x 12ft 3-bedroom.
Key optional extras: Environmental exterior; French aspect front doors; luxury lounge carpet with underlay throughout; under counter fridge; wireless programmable room thermostat; TV sockets and co-axial to all bedrooms plus booster (except 28 x 2-bedmodel); shaving socket in bathroom; Bluetooth audio connections to lounge ceiling speakers; electric fire; integrated microwave oven.
Price on application*
For more information e-mail: [email protected] or visit www.swiftgroup.co.uk
*Speak to your chosen park. Extra charges will be made by park operators, and/or distributors for transport, siting and annual maintenance. Please check the price carefully before you commit to buy, as prices vary considerably dependent, amongst other factors, on the geographical location of your chosen park.
