Off-grid Avida Explorer LX campervan opens up boundless possibilities
Reviewed by Go Auto News – Peter Barnwell
WE jumped at the chance to sample Avida’s quarter-million-dollar Explorer LX off-grid campervan over a long weekend driving in the Snowy Mountains and environs on sealed and unsealed roads… on a standard car licence.
The “Apocalypse Van” as we dubbed the fully equipped two-person test vehicle enabled free camping along the way mostly in designated National Parks locations or pretty much anywhere subject to permissions.
Motive power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with 140kW and 450Nm the latter between 1400-2400rpm. It drives the wheels via a nine-speed conventional auto transmission with paddle shift.
Graded dirt or gravel roads present no hindrance to the Sydney-built all-wheel-drive that is based on a Mercedes-Benz 419 MWB Sprinter van optioned in this case with chunky Maxxis Razr AT 16-inch rubber on H-D off-road oriented alloys.
Other off-roading kit on the 3300kg Avida included a snorkel, rock sliders, a bank of LEDs dotted across the body for driving and camp illumination augmented by a pair of LED spotties at the front and a wide roof-mounted light bar, winch, “adventure” bar and a rear door, ladder mounted full-size spare.
However, the Avida Explorer LX can’t be compared with a truck-based expedition vehicle as it is limited primarily by the torque-on-demand all-wheel-drive, longish 3655mm wheelbase and 200mm ground clearance.
It’s sufficient to allow the Avida to penetrate fairly deeply into the bush such that there was nobody else within cooee when we parked up for the night.
Once that was done, we could immerse ourselves in the environment while taking advantage of the creature comforts provided by the van that leave little to be desired from a camping perspective.
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About Avida
Avida, the longest-serving RV manufacturer in Australia still in the hands of the original owners, has been a leader in the RV industry since 1965, known for its high-quality, Australian-made motorhomes, campervans, and caravans. From its humble beginnings, Avida has built a legacy of innovation, customer dedication, and family values. The company manufactures its RVs entirely in Australia, employing local talent at its Emu Plains facility west of Sydney, setting a standard for durability, performance, and comfort that has inspired travellers for six decades.
