Caravan enthusiasts planning to purchase a Swift Challenger or Conqueror model in 2006 should expect them to be very different from this year’s models.

The firm has given the mobile homes a “radical” overhaul in an effort to make them the UK’s most popular tourers.

New features include 15-inch alloy wheels, an AL-KO Secure portable wheel lock and Status 530 directional aerial.

Both caravan ranges include new layouts with fixed single beds, enhanced interior design and upgraded specification.

Updated upholstery is combined with a new Tanganica Walnut wood colour, redesigned overhead lockers and spaceframe technology to provide extra storage and more pleasant living conditions.

A new 107-litre digitally controlled fridge will be the centre point of an upgraded kitchen featuring a built-in microwave, sink and storage rack.

Meanwhile, owners can relax with their favourite tunes playing on the radio/CD/MP3 player, which comes as standard.

The upgrades to the Challenger and Conqueror models are part of a wider overhaul of many of Swift Group’s products, including the Sprite and Cameo.

Swift Group is celebrating after one of its products was named the best fixed-bed twin-axle model of 2006.

The Practical Caravan 2006 Big Caravan Test, published in the November issue of the magazine, showed the Ace Supreme Twinstar to be the top vehicle in its class.

Priced at £16,285, the award-winning tourer is £1,500 less expensive than its predecessor and £1,000 cheaper than the Compass Rallye 634 – a rival it beat to scoop the gong.

Features which helped to sway the judges’ decision included the ease of pitching and setting up, storage, kitchens, washroom and bedrooms.

They praised all of the above and said the caravan offers a combination of comfort and practicality that is difficult to beat.

Swift decided to cut the price of the Ace Supreme in order to bring it back to its traditional roots, which were as a more affordable model.

Buyers can expect an improved kitchen, repositioned TV socket and upgraded styling and storage.

Meanwhile, Swift recently revealed that it has given the Abbey range a new look for 2006, as well as reducing prices on a number of models.

The launch of the new Swift Challenger earlier this month has seen the manufacturer enjoy record sales of the model.

Caravan enthusiasts snapped up the vehicles in their droves, with Swift taking more than £2.5 million worth of bookings at the Earls Court Show.

The figures represent double the takings of last year’s event and are the highest in the Challenger’s 21-year history.

It makes the vehicle the most popular single touring caravan range in the UK and has led Swift to hike up production levels, with particular focus on the popular 480 and 530 models.

“New product launches are vitally important for the company and therefore we are highly delighted that the new Challenger has quite clearly hit the spot,” explained sales and marketing director Richard White.

He added that the record sales were the perfect way to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the first Challenger.

Earlier this year, Swift celebrated success in the 2006 Big Caravan Test from Practical Magazine in which the Ace Supreme Twinstar was awarded the gong for being the best fixed-bed twin-axle van.

Caravan enthusiasts in the market for a new model could be interested to hear that the Swift Group has made a number of changes to its Abbey portfolio.

As well as reducing prices on the GTS and Spectrum ranges, the firm has recruited designers to give the entire series a new look.

The upgrades affect both the interior and exterior of the caravans and are aimed at increasing the value for money.

New soft furnishings and spaceframe technology make the GTS Vogue, Spectrum and Aventura models more comfortable and practical.

The latter two have also been given new 107-litre fridges with freezer compartments, while the Spectrum now benefits from having a microwave oven as standard.

A radio/CD/MP3 player now come as standard in the Spectrum and GTS Vogue ranges, while wiring is available for those who wish to add a DVD player.

Both also now feature increased security equipment, including an AL-KO Secure portable wheel lock and alarm system.

In other news, the Swift Group has reduced the prices of its 2006 Ace models to bring them back to their affordable roots.

Those looking for a new caravan could be interested to learn that the Swift Group has moved to make one of its ranges even more affordable.

The firm has cut the price of its Ace range for 2006 in addition to making a number of upgrades to the vehicles.

Buyers will see the biggest savings in the Supreme range, which has been reduced by £1,500, while the Award and Jubilee series have seen price cuts of £400 and £1,050 respectively.

According to the group, the decision was taken to position Ace below its Abbey, Sterling and Swift offerings.

A total of 20 models are available in the UK and those investing in one can add up to 16 optional extras.

“The Award and Supreme ranges both enjoy a whole new look for 2006 with modern furniture and fittings, contemporary new soft furnishings schemes and a new front window design,” the firm revealed.

In other news, the Swift Group’s Cameo range has been given new features and a twin-axle layout for 2006.

Two caravan models from the Swift Group have undergone a number of changes for the 2006 season.

The firm has given the Bessacarr E700 series the new name of Elegance and added a clutch of new features worth more than £3,000.

An integrated awning, central locking, reversing camera and a directional Status TV aerial are just some of the new additions.

Others include a new Automatic Energy Selection fridge, pleated blinds and a revamped interior.

Meanwhile, the Bessacarr E400 has been upgraded with £1,000 worth of new equipment, including ABS brakes, which now come as standard.

The interior has also been redesigned with updated soft furnishings, new speakers for the radio/CD player and a pivoting washroom design.

However, despite the valuable additions, customers will only be asked to pay a small increase on last year’s prices.

In other news, the Swift Group has also given all Ace models new Fiat ABS as standard in an upgrade worth £1,000

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.