Those in the market for a quality caravan could be swayed by a gong handed to the Swift Caravans for one of its new models.

The Challenger 530 was awarded the prize for being the best four-berth vehicle in the recent Practical Caravan contest.

Billed as being ideal for couples and young families, the 530 features a number of common sense changes, including the repositioning of light switches and circuit breakers to more convenient places.

However, the positives do not end there, with “excellent” storage, a microwave, MP3/CD/DVD player, 107-litre fridge and a Status directional aerial as standard.

Slightly longer than last year’s model, the caravan was commended for its high specification, practical design, showroom appeal and value for money.

The award-winning model is priced at just £350 more than its predecessor, meaning Brits needn’t break the bank to invest in the latest edition.

In other news, Swift recently launched a new fixed-bed layout for its Challenger 540 caravan.

Budget-conscious caravan buyers may be celebrating after the Swift Group revealed that its new Sprite model will cost around £10,000.

According to the manufacturer, the vehicle offers everything that is needed in a lightweight caravan without breaking the bank.

A spacious interior combined with large beds and ample headroom offer owners a great environment in which to explore the UK and beyond, with all models featuring two inches of headroom more than any other caravan on the market.

Meanwhile, buyers have a choice between the Major 6 version, which contains a convertible rear fixed bunk, or the longer Major 5, which offers a further four-inches of space.

Beds measure from 5′ 10″ to 6′ 3″, which provide more room than many other rivals and should offer a better sleep.

Those who need a larger model could opt for the Quattro version, which is a six-berth caravan that is “unbeatable for space, accommodation and value”, according to Swift.

In other news, the Swift Ace Supreme Sunstar has won the Practical Caravan award for the best six-berth model.

A UK caravan manufacturer is celebrating after two of its models achieved success in a recent competition.

The Bessacarr Cameo 645GL and Swift Challenger 530 from Swift Group were both honoured in Caravan magazine’s Test Winner Awards 2005.

There was little to choose between the two caravans, with the publication opting to award them joint overall winner status.

According to the magazine, Swift Group has “shone through as a clear overall winner”, with both models achieving a score of 78 per cent out of 100.

“Perfect scores are few and far between, but faultless design earns the brilliant en-suite facilities in the latest Challenger our highest mark,” Caravan noted after awarding the mobile home ten out of ten for its washroom.

The model was heralded as a “supervan”, amassing nine out of ten marks for its construction quality and its kitchen.

Caravan magazine editor Steve Rowe explained that the publication makes its tests as thorough as possible and that Swift Group can be proud of its achievements.

In other news, the Swift Owners Club recently presented a £5,000 cheque to the National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease.

Mobile home manufacturer Swift Group is celebrating after scooping a hat trick of gongs at a recent prize giving.

The firm was given three titles at the Caravan Club Design Awards 2005, with a trio of models handed accolades.

Its Abbey GTS Vogue 216 took overall first place, while the Sterling Europa came second.

Meanwhile the Bessacarr 625GL came second in the class for luxury tourers over £14,000

Swift Group product director Steve Trossell explained that the company holds the awards in high esteem due to the fact that they are “judged by a multi-discipline panel that cover all aspects of design and function”.

The models were each subjected to a 37-point checklist which looked closely at how the caravans were put together to create an ideal space to enjoy a holiday.

According to the firm, part of its success is down to the attention it pays to the wants and needs of customers.

It aims to base its designs on what the UK caravanning public desire and suggested that its success in the awards is a reflection of those efforts.

In other news, the group has added a number of new features worth a total of £3,000 to its Kon-Tiki range.

Brits investing in a new Kon-Tiki caravan from Swift Caravans during 2006 will benefit from ABS technology.

The device helps to reduce stopping time and prevent skidding when braking sharply.

A clutch of new features worth a total of £3,000 have been added to the model and buyers can expect to benefit from an integrated awning, as well as central locking to the living area and cab doors.

Users will also be able to cook up a storm by utilising the vehicle’s new automatic energy selection fridge and microwave oven.

Those who wish to relax in their caravan while exploring the country can do so by using the newly-added directional Status TV aerial.

However, the price has only been increased by £800 on the 2005 model, despite the new additions, meaning owners will get more bang for their buck.

The improvements are part of a wider range of upgrades that are taking place across the Swift Caravans range, with the Sundance also benefiting from some new features.

Meanwhile, the firm is also celebrating success in the recent Caravan Club design awards, where three of its models achieved success.

Brits purchasing a 2006 Ace caravan model can do so knowing that it will be safer than its predecessor.

Swift Caravans have moved to install Fiat ABS on the entire Ace series in a bid to increase its appeal.

The £1,000 upgrade should help reduce stopping distances and maintain control when braking sharply.

It is one of a number of upgrades that have taken place which dramatically improve the range’s specifications without seriously impacting the cost to the buyer.

Other new additions include a new roof spoiler featuring brake and side marker lights, as well as a concertina windscreen blind in the cab.

A pivoting washroom design on all but one model means the vans will have separate shower areas – the Modena model comes with its own cubicle.

Buyers can also opt to add a more powerful engine, colour rear view camera and high-end multimedia system.

The changes are part of an overhaul affecting many of Swift Group’s products for the new season.

Its Bessacarr E400 and E700 series have also been upgraded with ABS breaks as part of new additions worth £1,000 and £3,000 respectively.

Caravan enthusiasts may be excited to hear about a new addition to the Swift Group range.

The firm has announced the addition of a new fixed-bed layout for the Challenger 540, which will reflect the Bailey Senator Indiana.

Those hoping for a glance at the new model should head to the National Boat, Caravan & Outdoor Show in Birmingham’s NEC, which runs from February 18th to 26th 2006.

The exhibition will be used to launch the latest addition to the Swift product portfolio, which features a four-berth open plan layout offering a feeling of spaciousness.

Group sales and marketing director Richard White expects the 540 to boost the Challenger’s already solid reputation and sales figures.

“Challenger buyers appreciate the sophisticated styling inside and out, the top specification level and the high security provision,” he said.

Mr White added that the changes to the design have helped the firm win customers from other manufacturers and this could be reflected in the 80 per cent rise in sales of the model from last year.

Meanwhile, the Swift Challenger 530 recently scooped the Practical Caravans best four-berth model award for 2006.

Caravan buyers investing in a new Bessacarr, Ace or Swift model can expect the mobile home to reach them in tip-top condition.

The Swift Group, which owns all three brands, recently invested £300,000 in a new facility which has the sole purpose of checking the quality of all products before they are despatched to dealerships.

It will also be used to give new vehicles a last-minute valet, ensuring that they reach the customer in pristine condition.

Everything from the appliances and electrics to the wheels are subjected to a meticulous testing process to ensure that every caravan that goes to market is of the highest standard possible.

“This level of pre-delivery inspection is unique in the UK industry and displays once again Swift’s commitment to providing its customers with the highest quality products,” the firm stated.

Swift Group managing director Tony Hailey explained that the company is “dedicated” to providing high standards and that the new facility will help it do that.

Meanwhile, a tenacious customer who repeatedly asked Swift Group if she could buy the blue display model used at a 2003 caravan show in the NEC has gotten her wish, the group revealed.

A caravan manufacturer has finally given in to the relentless requests of one customer who wished to purchase a unique model.

The one-of-a-kind blue Kon-Tiki vehicle was produced by Swift Caravans for a 2003 NEC show as a design exercise.

However, Louise Swift and her husband Andrew were determined to become the proud owners of the prototype model and bombarded the firm with requests to buy the “Bluebird”.

The caravan had previously been used by Le Mans racing driver Guy Smith, who drove it from Swift’s base in Yorkshire to the French racing track, where he used it for hospitality in the paddock.

However, the striking blue vehicle with luxurious interior was delivered to Mr and Mrs Swift just in time for Christmas.

The Kon-Tiki 665 model was upgraded with luxury leather-trimmed soft furnishings and kitted out with a Blaupunkt entertainment system with multiple TV monitors, high-level sound system, DVD player and satellite navigation equipment.

Originally designed to show what the Swift Group could create if money was no option for customers, the van will now be used by its new owners to transport themselves and their two cats and two dogs between the UK and their property in France on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, the Swift Group recently invested £300,000 in a new quality checking facility which should ensure its products reach customers in pristine condition.

Caravan enthusiasts looking to purchase a new mobile home may be interested to hear that one UK manufacturer has achieved the highest safety standard possible.

Swift Group recently became the first British firm to gain the European Whole Vehicle Type Approval, which will be required by law on all vehicles from July 2007.

It confirms that the caravans made by the company are of a high enough safety standard to be sold throughout the continent.

The group was required to have every one of its products assessed by an independent auditor, with the certificate stating that the construction processes used are safe and repeatable on a consistent basis.

“To have achieved these standards more than three years before they become mandatory is a clear illustration of the importance we place on producing products of the highest safety and manufacturing standards,” explained Swift Group managing director Joe Anwyll.

He added that the firm is pleased to stand out from its rivals by becoming the first to achieve the status.

Meanwhile, the Swift Group is set to offer two of its ranges in an alternative colour scheme for the first time.

A UK caravan manufacturer has made it easier for Brits in the market for a new vehicle to access information on its products.

Swift Group has launched a new set of online microsites featuring all customers could hope to know about its tourers and motorhomes.

Accessed through the company’s home page, the mini websites contain information on a range of vehicles, including the Ace Award, Supreme, Sterling Eccles, Elite, Ace Airstream, Bessacarr E500 and Swift Bolero ranges.

As well as information on the models, the microsites contain numerous images and marketing messages tailored to the individual caravans’ target audiences.

Marketing director Richard White explained that the new online resources will help the firm communicate with its customers in more detail.

“From the number of people visiting the sites, it’s quite clear that this is a much more modern and fast way of telling customers everything they need to know about our products,” he said.

In other news, Swift Group recently celebrated record sales and a number of awards at a recent exhibition.