This new slimline model walked off with a major award on its debut
SLIMLINE motorhomes are on the up. Both Bailey and Auto-Trail have launched new ranges into this sector this season, along with French firm, Pilote, while Adria’s Compact is well established in the market and Rapido’s C Series enters its third model year. But, of those with a transverse rear bed, most are closer to six metres than seven. This new Alora instead goes longer for more living space.
Then, while parallel – or face-to-face – lounge areas have started to dominate in ‘full-width’ coachbuilts, it’s still the half-dinette that is more usually seen in narrow-bodied ’vans. Not here. Bailey has installed the more open-plan style of seating, as well as having listened to early criticism of the fixed table, replacing that for production models with a free-standing unit that can be stowed away at the back of the garage. Not that the prototype’s table format was enough to hold it back – it scooped the Best Fixed Double Bed Motorhome award for 2024 at its debut last October.
Of course, compact motorhomes are easier to drive – and the Alora is even slimmer (at just 2.12m) than most of its obvious rivals – but less bodywork should mean less weight, more payload. Here, the 550kg capacity is pretty useful for a 3,500kg ’van and the garage – 65cm wide and 1.01m tall – is, therefore, more usable.
There are 12V and 230V sockets here, as well as fixed lashing points on the practical floor and Bailey is moving the single light to give better illumination of the space.
The gas locker is also in the garage – it only takes one 6kg cylinder, but with diesel/230V heating that shouldn’t be an issue. Winter testing of the prototype, however, revealed an issue with the Combi D 4 E system when the vehicle’s fuel level dropped below half, so the length of the supply pipe has been increased by 20% and the heating should now operate perfectly as long as the Ford fuel tank is one-fifth full.
In typical Bailey style, the Alora has a high standard spec and almost no options. The Ford cab comes with automatic lights and wipers, adaptive cruise control and black 16in alloy wheels, plus a 12in screen for the radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and the reversing camera. An automatic gearbox is a two-grand option, but whichever transmission you choose, it’s the 130hp motor that’ll provide adequate ‘go’ for a vehicle of this size.
In the living area, the lounge is central to the Alora’s appeal. The cab chairs rotate
