Nova Terra Sportz

Sportz of all sortz

Nova Caravans’ Terra Sportz has undergone several proactive metamorphoses during the past decade. And, in terms of these advancements, its 2019 model definitely takes the cake.

Obviously there are myriad points of difference worth divulging. So, let’s not dilly dally about here. 

Its one-piece roof avoids unnecessary joins commonly found in conventional aluminium roofs, preventing leaks and overuse of silicone. No more buckles or leaks.

And its internal white poplar ply allows for strengthened furniture yet still maintains the hallmarks of a lightweight van.

INNOVATION HOME RUN

Perhaps this Terra Sportz’ most defining quality is the new Pro-Al walls. They’re lightweight, stronger, one-piece walls allowing for better insulating properties and strength — plus they’re also UV-stabilised. It all adds up to no more joins in the walls.

It also boasts honeycomb material, lightweight one-piece floors, moving away from wood. Nova believes removing wood from the walls and floor, ensures its vans are truly indestructible. 

“This is Nova Caravans’ new 2019 Terra Sportz model,says Nova Caravans marketing manager, Ana Maria Osorio. "The Terra Sportz has been in the market since 2011 and it has been one of Nova Caravans' most popular models. In 2019, based on our customer’s feedback we decided to revamp the look of this model, the main change was to the construction and external look of the van. The Terra Sportz comes now standard with the Nova Pro-Al sandwich panel walls offering a strong and lightweight structure with exceptional insulation properties.

“Another feedback we had on the Terra Sportz was that due to the external dark colours of the van, the temperature inside was getting warmer than normal under strong heat conditions. Hence, we listened and decided to use white walls with gunmetal checkerplate features that are complemented with bold stickers."

Osorio explains the furniture was modified to maximise storage space inside. 

"The kitchen features wide drawers that are built around the plumbing offering extra space inside the cupboards,” she says.

Daniel May, the sales manager of Hoppers Crossing (VIC) dealership May West Caravans where we picked up the van, says the Terra Sportz has a three-year nationwide manufacturer’s warranty. Incidentally, Nova Caravans has an Australia-wide dealership network and support network, which helped cement its title as CTIA Caravan & RV Manufacturer of the Year in 2017 and 2018.

The new model Terra Sportz is loaded with offroadability, starting with the Nova Pro-Al sandwich panel walls (sides). At this stage the rear is meranti framed with a Durabond (2.5mm composite aluminium) and the front is 19mm water-resistant ply CNC-cut with a Durabond exterior. Meanwhile, the cladding is aluminium plus composite.

And it rides on a SupaGal Preston chassis, with 6in A-frame and 6in chassis. Suspension is the ever-reliable and ultra-tough AL-KO Enduro Outback. Little wonder it glides over the terrain as smooth as silk!

Everything is synchronised in terms of off-grid prowess — 2 x 95L water tanks and grey water tank; 2 x 120Ah batteries; 2 x 160W solar panels and regulator; and 2 x 9kg gas cylinders (fitted inside toolbox on A-frame).

Externally, the van oozes pragmatism with an entertainment hatch, fold-down picnic table, full-width tunnel boot, twin external speakers, pull-out entry step, LED light, illuminated grab handle and Dometic awning on the nearside. Offside is a cassette toilet hatch, exterior shower, and a HWS vent.

The A-frame is really happening, with a Cruisemaster DO35 coupling, AL-KO ESC, AL-KO jockey wheel, and a storage compartment mounted on the drawbar (the nearside houses 2 x 9kg gas cylinders and twin  jerry can holders, while the offside houses a generator slide. There’s gunmetal checkerplate protection for the tap, an LED spotlight, mesh tray on the A-frame, and the aerodynamic front features high checkerplate/Durabond.

At the rear is a spare wheel mounted on a three-arm bumper bar, Safety Dave reversing camera, LED spotlight, and high-level ancillary traffic lights.

HIGH-SCORE DECOR

Step inside the Terra Sportz to be treated to interior decor that’s full of pizazz. The front bedroom boasts a caravan queen-sized bed, two good-sized windows, gloss acrylic overhead cupboards, robes with cutouts (USB port, double powerpoint, 12V socket), reading lights, soft-close slide-out drawers, a padded bedhead, and two internal speakers.

There’s also an LED touch light, Finch LED hatch, double powerpoint above the 28in Smart NCE TV and 12V NCE soundbar, double powerpoint on the nearside, twin Sirocco fans, corner cabinets, railed storage compartments above each window, integrated blinds and flyscreens system plus pelmets/curtains, and wireless phone chargers. Wow! The nearside lounge/living zone features an L-shaped lounge with flip-out footrests, reading lights, two overhead cupboards, dual internal speakers (centrally located), strip (mood) lighting, and a dining table.

Directly opposite the lounge is a well-equipped kitchen with three overhead cupboards (one housing the ‘hotspot’), an RV Wi-Fi router — much like the internet router you use at home, but running off a SIM card and specifically designed for Australian RV conditions — from which you can run multiple devices, recessed cooktop, rangehood, window, and three slide-out drawers.

Between the kitchen and lounge is a 12V rain sensor hatch, and adjacent to the kitchen is a fridge, with microwave above. Also on-board is a BMPRO Trek and battery management system.

The rear ensuite is resplendent with architectural tapware, a curved vanity bench, and ceramic bowl basin.

Left of entry is a toilet, with window above, and right of entry is a shower cubicle, with a frosted door for privacy, flexible hose shower, dispenser and 12V hatch.

There’s also a toilet roll holder/towel rail mounted on the back of a sliding door, double powerpoint, LED dome lighting, mirror, cup holder, hand towel ring, under-basin cupboard, railed shelving, and storage compartment in the offside corner. Let's not forget the Pioneer entertainment system in an overhead cupboard in the living zone, while inside the doorway is a grab rail, magazine holder plus coat rack, padded headboard, and lighting above the footwell.

Topping it all off is climatic comfort provided by an Aircommand Ibis 4 air-conditioner. Moving forward all Nova’s offroaders will be fitted with Ibis 4 units.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The 2019 Terra Sportz is purpose-built to take the rough and tumble. When the going gets tough, the tough get going! And I’m sure if the latest Terra Sportz model got knocked down, it would get back up again!

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

Overall length 7.44m (24ft 5in)

External body length 5.56m (18ft 3in)

External body width 2.48m 

(8ft 2in) - incl. awning

Travel height 3m (9ft 10in) 

- incl. air-conditioner

Internal height 1.95m (6ft 5in)

Tare 2248kg

ATM 2678kg

Payload 430kg

Ball weight 229kg

EXTERNAL    

Frame Nova Pro-Al sandwich panel walls (sides). At this stage the rear is a meranti framed with a Durabond (2.5mm composite aluminium) and the front is 19mm water-resistant ply CNC-cut with a Durabond exterior

Cladding Aluminium + composite

Chassis Preston Chassis - SupaGal with 6in A-frame and 6in chassis

Suspension AL-KO Enduro Outback

Coupling Cruisemaster DO35

Brakes 12in electric

Wheels 16in wheels, with S265/75 R16 tyres

Water 2 x 95L water tanks and grey water tank

Battery 2 x 120Ah

Solar 2 x 160W and regulator

Air-conditioner Aircommand 

Ibis 4

Gas 2 x 9kg (fitted inside toolbox on A-frame)

Sway control AL-KO ESC

INTERNAL

Cooking Swift (three gas/one electric) cooker plus oven

Fridge Dometic RPD190 DC 

12V 190L

Microwave NCE Flatbed 23L

Bathroom Full ensuite at rear

Washing machine Provision for wall-mounted unit

Hot water Suburban gas/electric

OPTIONS FITTED

‘Show Pack Upgrades’ with full oven; ceramic toilet; leather upholstery; Sirocco fans

PRICE AS SHOWN

$84,540 (drive-away)

MORE INFORMATION

To enquire about this caravan, please phone (03) 9930 0999