Dealer Specials: Broad Lane Leisure

These Warwickshire dealerships have three special edition ranges, two made by Swift, one by Coachman, and all boasting specification upgrades worth more than £2000.

Words by Val Chapman Photos by Richard Chapman

Swift Fairway 580

In the early 1990s, Broad Lane Leisure founded a new brand, Fairway, made by Swift. The ethos behind the brand at its inception was to be, "lightweight and high spec at a competitive price". Over the years, the value of extra specification has gradually increased.

Today, Fairways are based on Swift Challengers, with equipment levels that creep up above Swift's Conqueror range.

Swift also makes a special edition for Broad Lane based on Sprite models, called the Swift Classic range. Models take the names of Swift models from the 1990s, including Danette, Pirouette and Corvette. It's the Fairway range, though, that we focus on here; we went to Broad Lane's Alcester branch to find out more.

For 2018, Broad Lane has launched the Fairway Platinum edition, the name acknowledging an increase in specification. Among the additions is a device that enables you to use gas on the move to cool your fridge. Another new feature is the Automatic Trailer (stability) Control (ATC) system.

Exclusive fabrics are a key element of Fairway appeal. Unusual and delightfully cool grey shades for the seating, and autumn-leaf inspired curtains and cushions, combine to create an ultra-modern, yet cosy look.

Fairways range in price from £21,805 for the two-berth 480 to £25,835 for the twin-axle, fixed-bed 645. The extra equipment totals up to £2600 in value.

Taking the 580 (pictured above) as an example, this model is based on the Swift Challenger 580, which costs £23,199, complete with ATC, AL-KO Secure wheel lock and Alde heating, plus Swift's Lux Pack (that includes an illuminated kitchen splashback, barbecue point and alarm system).

The Fairway Platinum 580 version is £23,830. Both prices include the delivery fee. So, the Fairway costs just £631 more than the standard Challenger 580 – and the buyer gains a whopping £2240-worth of extras.

Swift Classic

Broad Lane's Swift Classic range of seven layouts features extra equipment amounting in value to £2150. This includes a 100-watt solar panel, pleated window blinds, external 230V point and barbecue point for al fresco cooking, extra scatter cushions and an alarm system with key-fob awning light control.

They also come with a Truma Waterline, which enables you to connect to a mains water supply. Classics are all equipped with the Sprite Diamond Pack, which includes a radio, alloy wheels, a spare wheel, a hitch-head stabiliser and a microwave.

And, of course, Classics have exclusive soft furnishings.

The accent colour for this year is a zesty lime green, for two of the cushions; the colour also appears subtly in the satin-sheen curtains. Two more cushions are fluffy and furry. It's a smart-yet-homely look.

Plus, for a limited period only, Broad Lane's Classics and Fairways come with the offer of a Powrtouch Evolution Mover included. The model photographed here is a Swift Classic Doublette, a single-axle caravan with a transverse island bed.

It's based on the Sprite Major 4 SB (£18,735, including the sunroof and Diamond Pack with which all Sprites come, as well as delivery). The Swift Classic Doublette costs £19,755, including delivery; by paying £1020 more you get £2150 worth of extras.

Coachman Vision Xtra

Vision Xtra fabrics for this year are cool greys with a rich russet colour for two of the cushions and the edges of the curtains. This warm shade also appears in two more cushions, which have a subtle checked pattern.

The Vision Xtra 575 (pictured here) costs £22,030 including delivery. The standard Vision 575 is £21,000 including delivery. For the £1030 difference in price you double your money, gaining £2060-worth of additional equipment.

This extra specification includes an upgraded deep-pile carpet treated for stain resistance, heavy-duty corner steadies, a full-sized Heki roof light, an external mains socket, a barbecue point, an offside service light, soft-close blinds and flyscreens in the kitchen and washroom, a key fob-controlled alarm system and pleated blinds.

And, at the time of publication, for a limited time, Vision Xtras also come with Omnivent extractor fans, 80-watt solar panels and AL-KO Secure wheel locks.