outandaboutlive.co.uk
5
Auto-Trail has realigned its motorhomes for
2015, creating a new mid-price range in the
process – the Imala – designed to fill the gap
between entry-level Tribute coachbuilts and
full-blown Auto-Trails.
The new Imala range is launched with
five models. Popular designs are offered,
with front and rear lounges and French bed
layouts included.
The Imala is basically a down-specced
Auto-Trail – the intention being to provide
more choice, lower prices and better value
but construction methods are the same.
Also, mainstream Auto-Trails offer three
overcab pods – Hi-Line, Lo-Line and Super
Lo-Line – with Imala, you can only choose
from the first two.
Mainstream coachbuilt Auto-Trails
continue into 2015 with 16 models.
Detail changes include metallic black
cab and coordinated graphics
as standard outside. On board,
worktop and upper locker door
colours are new and there’s a
new range of upholstery designs.
Kitchen splashbacks get
integrated illumination and there’s
a new cooker – a full-sized stove with
three gas burners, one electric hotplate,
separate grill and oven.
There’s a new Media Pack too, featuring
the latest Avtex TV/DVD player with
built-in Freeview and satellite tuners.
Launched last year, V-Line high-
tops continue with three models
– front and rear lounge and rear
fixed bed layouts. Underfloor
(25-litre) gas tanks are now fitted
to the 610 and 620 models, freeing
up storage space in boot areas.
In the rear lounge 610 the between-
the-sofas chest of drawers is gone – a
U-shaped sofa design can be found as
standard. However, the chest remains
available as an option.
New upholstery designs arrive along with
restyled furniture to some ranges.
Auto-Trail continues building on the newly
facelifted Fiat Ducato. Daytime running
lights are fitted on all models. All models
get ESC, Hill Holder, Hill Descent Control
and Traction+. The radio is new and has
Bluetooth, MP3 capability and Tom Tom sat-
nav. Redesigned seats are of the captain’s
variety with improved comfort.
Big news from Bailey as it launches an
all-new range in 2015. The new, price-
conscious Advance range will consist of
a four-model line-up and will use the new
Peugeot Boxer cab and Al-Ko chassis, just
like its Autograph brothers, but cabs will be
white and spec will be pared back to get
prices under £40k.
One of those four Advance layouts
will be a compact transverse fixed
bed design, effectively a down-
specced version of the current 520
but with a lower bed. The 540 (drop-
down bed) model is being renamed
Autograph and benefits from additional
external storage and a modified lounge.
The Advance won’t be ready for the NEC
in October, but should be revealed at the
February show at the same venue.
So, for October, it’s Bailey’s latest addition
to the Autograph range that takes pride of
place. The 730 is the biggest Bailey yet and
is a pure two-berth with a transverse island
bed. All the usual Bailey benefits are to be
found, including the extra wide
body, Al-Ko super-low chassis
and Alde heating.
As well as the new Boxer cab,
the Autograph range gains a DAB radio with
Bluetooth and USB, daytime running lights
and tyre pressure sensors.
Bailey has dropped the Autograph 750
(fixed high-level single beds over a garage)
and added this new 730 layout in its place
which is 7.61m in length and sits on a
3,850kg chassis.
The bed (with a 190mm-thick interior-
sprung mattress) is an ample 1.93m by
1.37m (6ft 4in by 4ft 6in). Space under the
bed is generous and the whole under-bed
area is free from tanks and services and can
be accessed by raising the mattress on gas
struts or through a large external hatch.
The kitchen comes with a ‘full monty’
cooker – mains hotplate, grill, oven and
pan storage – as well as microwave above.
The 110-litre 8-Series Dometic fridge (with
removable freezer) remains. In fact, the 730
shares its entire specification level with the
rest of the Autograph range.
N
E
C
O
N
S
T
A
N
D
7
.
2
0
S
E
E
A
U
T
O
-
T
R
A
I
L
A
T
T
H
E
H
E
N
E
C
O
N
S
T
A
N
D
1
9
.
2
9
S
E
E
B
A
I
L
E
Y
A
T
T
H
E
The new Imala from Auto-Trail
The previous generation Bailey Approach
Autograph (left) sits alongside its 2015 sibling
