A moderately putting cross between an outsized journey van, toy hauler and globetrotting expedition automobile, the Epicore Motion Van does wild exploration and journey just a little in another way. As an alternative of dwelling like a miniaturized palace, its tall, extensive, pop-top-expanded monocoque dwelling area provides the strict requirements and encourages occupants to spend lengthy days immersing themselves within the surrounding mountains, deserts and forests. Its huge gear storage shops, organizes and maintains all of your instruments of journey, whereas its roomy inside sleeps, feeds and bathrooms 4 individuals whereas guaranteeing they do not get so cozy they miss daybreak patrol.
If we ever noticed an RV product seem prefer it must be rightfully coated in Red Bull livery, the Epicore Van could be it. Extra so than nearly every other journey rig we will consider (this one perhaps comes close), the Epicore is optimized for motion sports activities and adrenaline-firing journey from its tire contact patches to its rooftop photo voltaic panels. Its 35-mm-thick (1.4-in) fiberglass-sandwich module is even coloured a shade of blue not far off from Pink Bull’s.
Often, we would be inclined to name the Epicore, developed by Italian truck customizer Pichler Nutzfahrzeuge (Industrial Autos), an “expedition automobile” since, regardless of being developed on a van chassis, it is simply too large and upfitted to really feel like a van. And it is extra ruggedized and off-road-centric than what the time period “Class B+ motorhome” brings to mind.
At 640 cm (252 in) lengthy, the Epicore Van is definitely effectively shorter than the longest camper vans in the marketplace, however that is the smallest mannequin obtainable amongst three totally different sizes. And it is extra the flared 225-cm (88.5-in) width, (3.3-m) 10.8-foot closed peak and 7-ton gross automobile weight ranking that make it look so big in opposition to the camper van lots.
Pichler Nutzfahrzeuge
That mentioned, the way in which Pichler lays out the ground plan is completely extra in keeping with a bike-hauling adventure camper van than it’s the luxury-showered interior sanctum of a long-range expedition vehicle. So the Epicore Van actually strikes us as a supersized journey camper van able to chase down a distant path entry level, climbing method or river put-in and work loyally because the homey base camp to which you come after the day’s (or days’) problem.
The Epicore van’s largest level of differentiation from the everyday van, compact motorhome or expedition truck comes on the rear. As an alternative of the stable wall or twin doorways you’d anticipate finding wrapping the again, Pichler installs a full-height drop-down tailgate that doubles as a loading platform. The inside of the door has rows of airline tie-down observe that permit for mounting bikes and different gear vertically contained in the van. The 750-kg (1,650-lb) load-rated tailgate opens and closes through an electro-hydraulic raise, taking the mounted bikes and kit proper together with it.
Pichler Nutzfahrzeuge
When lowered, the platform doubles as an above-ground deck space that campers can stand or sit on. It is a spot to stand up off muddy or slushy floor to drag off one’s boots earlier than getting into the van, take pleasure in an après beverage, or take within the sundown or dawn. It’s going to be particularly helpful when parked on significantly rocky, muddy or in any other case unaccommodating floor surfaces, offering a greater different for merely planting down a chair open air. Pichler even suggests backing as much as the water’s edge and utilizing the tailgate as a mini-dock.
Past the gear hanging vertically on the within of the tailgate, the additional massive rear storage contains loads of cupboard space for extra cargo, equipment and clothes. Tie-down rails across the partitions and ceiling present a spot to hold small objects and safe strapped down cargo. Operating with the Epicore mountain bike theme, you’ll be able to maintain your helmets, physique armor, bike instruments, biking garments and footwear all collectively in a single place in order that it is simpler to prepare and get on the market come morning. The area even serves as a sheltered workshop for repairing and tuning gear.
Pichler Nutzfahrzeuge
As if the storage weren’t already carrying its weight, it additionally double as the lavatory. There is a bathe sprayer to wash gear, boots and other people and a drained flooring beneath a rubber mat. The Boxio dry separating bathroom slides out from a compartment on the backside of the passenger-side cupboard console, and an electrical curler partition splits the area off from the primary dwelling space on the push of a button. That partition can be a pleasant manner of walling off moist, soiled, sweaty gear whereas consuming and stress-free within the entrance lounge space.
We simply began utilizing a Boxio toilet ourselves, and we prefer it lots … as a easy, sensible answer for truck tenting with a tent. We all know the Epicore is all about operate over type, options for journey, not luxurious, however we predict any RV on this worth and measurement class ought to have a nicer toilet than a wide-open storage bathe and moveable $200 Eurobox with disposable baggage and urine canister. A small partitioned room and a CompoCloset S1 or Clesana X1 bathroom would in all probability do the trick with out even making a discernible mark on the ultimate price ticket.
Pichler Nutzfahrzeuge
However perhaps we have simply grown fussier about the place we bathe and shit than as we speak’s Pink Bull Rampage set.
Inching ahead, the Epicore kitchen is positioned simply in entrance of the partition. The block features a sink, saved moveable induction cooktop, and a recessed utensil tray atop the countertop. Pichler selected to not hard-mount a cooktop so campers might additionally pull out the moveable induction unit to cook dinner outdoors.
Pichler Nutzfahrzeuge
Each the utensil tray and sink have flush lids that operate to attach the higher work area into single floor. Entrance and rear flip-up extensions additional broaden the work space to function each a cooking station and storage workbench. The 70-L Dometic fridge is positioned on the finish of the kitchen block for straightforward entry from each the dwelling space and storage.
Up entrance, Pichler deconstructs the normal entrance dinette right into a extra versatile area. As an alternative of a forward-facing two-seat bench, it installs two captain’s seats that may mount dealing with ahead or sideways on the ground rails. The 2 cab swivel seats work to accommodate the opposite two campers on board, and a pair of floating Lagun tables let the eating area observe the campers’ seating positions.
Pichler Nutzfahrzeuge
The complete-length electro-actuated pop-top up above doubles the sleeping area, accommodating 4 individuals on two separate 135 x 200-cm (53 x 79-in) beds. Together with the decrease flooring space, the upstairs area is heated through a twin air heater system that runs on diesel.
The roof itself is topped by 4 150-W photo voltaic panels feeding the 480-Ah leisure battery. A 3,000-W Victron inverter, Revotion sensible house management system, 10.9-in central command iPad, 70-A cost booster, Wi-Fi router, LED strip lighting, and 230-V and USB A/C retailers are additionally a part of {the electrical} package deal. Pichler even mentions the choice of a projector system with massive display screen for viewing and enhancing motion cam footage on the spot – all that is lacking is a GoPro sprint mount to movie the experience earlier than pulling the cam off and utilizing it to seize biking footage.
Pichler Nutzfahrzeuge
The Iveco Each day 4×4 chassis down beneath brings alongside a 180-hp 3.0-liter diesel engine, eight-speed Hello-Matic auto transmission, and all-wheel drive system with locking entrance and rear differentials. It is also geared up with a leaf spring suspension, Marquart shocks and a 220-A alternator. It rides on a 348-cm (137-in) wheelbase, and Pichler affords bigger fashions atop a 378- or 418-cm (149- or 165-in) Each day 4×4 wheelbase. Pichler can be engaged on a sizing the structure down right into a 3.5-ton MAN TGE 4×4 van.
We love the idea of a no-holds-barred adventurer however assume the Epicore wants just a bit refinement, a minimum of as far as that loo is anxious. In fact, Pichler is eager to work with purchasers on customizing flooring plans, so we’re positive if one have been to ask properly, the builder wouild be keen to border out a extra correct moist toilet.
Pichler doesn’t listing pricing data, however Germany’s Explorer Magazin mentions a worth of €390,000 (approx. US$451,000) in a latest video walkthrough.
Supply: Pichler Nutzfahrzeuge
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