What’s new from the Swift Group for 2018?

A new twin-axle Sprite, a new look for both Conqueror and Sprite – and all ranges are now under the name Swift

Words by Val Chapman
Photos by John Chapman

Swift brings together all its caravans under one name – Swift – for 2018, dropping the name Sterling. There are now five ranges – Sprite, Challenger, Eccles, Conqueror and Elegance. The move to one brand is heralded by a modified Swift logo, with a larger bird image, within a circle in line with many premium automotive styles.

Sprite is restyled and a new layout is introduced. Conqueror is wider and lighter than 2017 models (figures have not yet been announced) and has a more streamlined body style. Rear view cameras are introduced and sunroofs have been increased in width.

Sprite

Above: the Sprite Major 6 TD

A new front line marks out the 2018 Sprites as distinctly different from previous models. Sprite, Swift’s entry-level range, has a gas bottle locker with wider access for 2018 and a new window design sleeker. The rear body panel is new, too, and has new-design lights including a new high-level marker and brake light.

Graphics are in a teal shade. Seating fabrics are in two tones; the base units are dark grey-brown and the backrests are lighter and with a hint of the blue shade which also appears in the curtains and cushions. Matt white doors ensure a light, airy look and new-design front corner lockers increase storage space.

Above: the lounge in the Quatro EB

The new model, the twin-axle Quattro EB, has a secluded bedroom at the rear, with over-bed white lockers and a small dressing table. The nearside window has a simple blind and flyscreen; the rear window has a large upholstered frame matching the geometric pattern of the lounge curtains.

A sliding door divides the bedroom from the washroom, with the shower on the nearside, the rectangular washbasin in the centre and, on the offside, the toilet with the wardrobe beside it. The shower has a grey riser-bar base with LED lights crowning the circular ceiling section.

A dresser is alongside the door. The kitchen surface has a hinged extension. The microwave is set into a curved unit which culminates in a shelf below the microwave. Sunroofs continue to be an option.

There are now 10 Sprite models starting with the two-berth Alpine 2. There are three single-axle four-berths: the Alpine 4 has a rear fixed bed, the Major 4 SB has a transverse island bed, the Major 4 EB has a rear island bed and mid washroom. The single-axle six-berth Sprites are the Major 6, with rear bunks and a side dining area and the Major 6 TD with bunks plus a rear dining area.

The twin-axle Sprites are the new four-berth Quattro EB plus the two six-berths, the Quattro EW with an L-shaped lounge, side dining area and rear double bed, and the Quattro DD, with parallel front and rear lounge seating and the shower room opposite the kitchen in the centre.

Basecamp

Swift’s two-berth camping-caravanning crossover unit, launched for 2017, now has an awning and bedroom pod, alloy wheels plus a BBQ point and exterior mains point.

Eccles

Above: the Eccles 530

Swift Eccles models now have Alde heating as standard. Matt white lockers distinguish this range, with leaf-pattern curtains and fawn seating fabrics. There are five layouts: the 530 with an end washroom and side dining area, the 560 with a mid-positioned washroom and rear island bed, the 580 with a transverse island bed and rear washroom, the six-berth 590 with rear bunks plus rear dining area and the twin-axle 635 with a rear transverse bed and central washroom.

Challenger

Above: the Challenger 645

There are eight layouts in the Challenger range. There’s one two-berth, the 480, slightly longer than the 2017 model, although figures have not yet been announced. There are five single-axle four-berths.

These are the 520 (side dining are), the 560 (mid transverse washroom, rear island bed, the 565 (twin beds), the 580 (transverse double bed, rear washroom) and the 590, a six-berth with bunks and a rear family dining area.

The twin-axle models are the 635, with central washroom and rear transverse island bed, and the 645 with an end washroom and transverse island bed.

Conqueror

Above: the Conqueror 560

Wider, lighter and with additional background lighting on the front lounge corners, Conqueror goes into 2018 with unchanged soft furnishings. The suede-effect seating in a mink shade has a paler shade running along the backrest cushions with a subtle herringbone design in the weave. Aubergine shade is used for the geometric patterned curtains and two of the cushions. Two more cushions in a light-reflective almost silvery shade.

SwiftShield fabric is an option; this has been treated to resist stains and is designed to be cleaned using just water on a cloth. Fixed beds have a new Duvalay mattress designed for greater durability and headboards are now illuminated.

There are changes in shower rooms: Illuminated shower consoles are introduced, along with more durable shower trays and small roof lights. Twin-axle models have a 30-litre internal water tank.

There are seven layouts. The single-axle models are the two-berth 480, the rear island bed, mid-washroom 560, the twin-bed 565 and the transverse island bed 580. The twin-axle models are the six-berth 630, with double bed, side dining area and L-shaped lounge; the 645 with transverse island bed and the 650 with a rear island bed and central washroom.

Elegance

The range with the highest spec has six models, starting with the two-berth, end washroom Elegance 480. The single-axle four-berth layouts are the 530 (side dining area), the 565 (twin beds) and the 580 (transverse bed). The twin-axle models are the 645 (transverse bed, end washroom) and the 650 (central washroom ands rear island bed).