Caravan manufacturer Hobby is celebrating the premiere of its new entry-level series, the Optima Ontour. It is not necessarily aimed at traveling couples.
SP-X / Rendsburg. The Hobby-Werke in Rendsburg in northern Germany has been the European market leader in caravans for many years, and the extensive range of caravans currently accounts for the lion's share of the annual turnover of 80 million euros with almost 290 percent. Nevertheless, the largest employer in Schleswig-Holstein has placed the main focus on its motorhome fleet with the new models for the 2020 model year and is launching a completely new entry-level model series for the semi-integrated models with the Optima Ontour. With her entry into the world of semi-integrated at Hobby drops well below the 50.000 Euro mark.
The Optima Ontour with a stately indoor standing height of 2,05 meters is offered in four layout variants. The model T65 GE has the classic layout with single beds in the rear, the kitchen and the opposite combi-bath / WC in the center of the car and the front seating group for a maximum of five people. The Ontour T65 FL, which is also just under seven meters long, has a double bed in the rear bedroom with a washroom / WC right next to it. Both versions are in the price list with a base price of 48.850 Euro.
In the Optima Ontour T65 HFL, the double-bed plan is supplemented by a single fold-down bed for two persons above the seating area, making things more expensive at 49.900 Euro. At exactly the same price, Hobby has created an unusual room layout on the Ontour T65 HKM and put it into series production. The goal was to design a semi-integrated for six passengers. Not only with six sleeping places, but also with six gurgles, as otherwise known only from alcove models.
Is that sensible and profitable, if partially integrated people in this size dimension often travel with a couple crew? Product Manager Manfred Taedke: "We certainly would not have done that if the demand had not been there. Especially in the rental business, we expect a lot from this floor plan. "He was especially suitable for families. But even young people would often go in groups of up to six people traveling and wish for an alternative to the bulky alcove vehicle.
For example, the T65 HKM has a transversely installed bunk bed in the rear, which ideally provides sleeping accommodation for two children, but is also suitable for adults. Directly in front of this, the wet room with shower and toilet closes on the driver's side. Opposite is located immediately in front of the far back to the rear door, the L-shaped kitchen with expandable work surface. The large seating area in the center of the car is composed of two visually arranged benches and a longitudinal sofa, where the entire crew can sit together for a leisurely round. The two seats on the bank in the direction of travel are equipped with three-point belts, those contrary to the direction of travel only with lap belts.
A two-person fold-down bed can be lowered at half the height above the seating area at night and still offers enough space to allow two other contemporaries to spend the night on the converted upholstery ensemble. However, one should not have claustrophobic fits. The armchairs in the cab are used exclusively for driving in this division.
All Optima Ontour models are based on a Citroen jumper chassis and are equipped in the basic versions with the 88 kW / 120 PS strong 2.0-liter Blue HDI engine. Optionally, the more powerful variants with 103 kW / 140 PS and 121 kW / 165 PS are also available. They all comply with the Euro 6d temp standard with SCR catalytic converter and AdBlue admixture. Like all hobby motorhomes, the new entry-level models are fully equipped for travel. Reinsetzen and drive off is the motto for the Northern Lights.
With the presentation of the Ontour semi-integrated to the new model year, the manufacturer from Rendsburg kept his word after the independent Van series Optima Ontour Edition had been presented as a harbinger at the CMT in January. However, even in an "all-inclusive" version, including TV and satellite system offered, with 2,16 meters much narrower van version so well arrived that it is extended to the new season to a third floor plan. In the 6,77 meter long Ontour Edition V65 GQ, a queen-bed solution in a van is being realized for the first time. The central double bed in the rear compartment is easily accessible from both sides, movable and offers a lot of storage space underneath the bed. In terms of price, the GQ with 51.900 Euro is exactly 300 Euro above the model series brothers V65 GF (with double transverse bed) and V65 GE (with single beds).
The complete motorhome portfolio of North Germans now includes eight series with 26 models and 17 different floor plans.