Trakkadu is a sports campervan for the rugged outdoor man in a hurry
Yes you read that correctly, this Trakka is a sports campervan.
It seems there’s no end to niche models in the automotive industry, but we must admit to being taken by surprise by this one.
Still I’ve known Dave Berry, the boss of Trakka, since we were both young fellas almost forty years ago, and he certainly knows his business. If he says buyers want a campervan with a turbocharged engine, lowered sports suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, low profile tyres, all-wheel drive, and a German body kit, then I’m sure he is right.
I’m not sure Dave has chosen the right name for his sports campervan though; Trakkadu ABT has a weird sound, but presumably conjures up visions of Trakka and Kakadu so maybe he is on the right track (excuse the crook pun).
The ‘ABT’ comes from ABT Sportline, a company that’s barely known in Australia, but is big in Europe as it specialises in race and tuning equipment for Volkswagens.
Given the sporting specs of the Trakkadu you would have to keep on the right track. Despite having drive to all four wheels this isn’t the sort of vehicle to venture off sealed roads. Even some caravan and camping grounds we have visited over the years may well challenge the Trakkadu with their lumpy, bumpy surfaces.
The traditional campervan owner uses their vehicle to explore Australia and to have weekends away, usually staying in campsites. But Dave Berry says we are now seeing a new group of owners who want to use their RV as a normal vehicle during the week, while at the weekend they use it for lifestyle activities such as surfing, yachting, fishing, scuba diving, skiing, or whatever.
Trakkadu ABT provides all of this, with the added benefits of letting you have a hot shower, a cold drink from the 80-litre fridge and a cooked meal.
The Trakkadu ABT is based on the Volkswagen Transporter, a vehicle the Trakka guys and gals have used as a donor vehicle for four decades. In this case it uses a Volkswagen variant produced especially for Trakka, with the top drivetrain and equipment levels.
Power comes from a132 kW turbo-diesel engine mated to a seven-speed DSG twin-clutch gearbox. Power goes to all the wheels through the VW 4Motion system that includes a locking rear differential.
To this Trakka adds lowered sports suspension from ABT Sportline, the German motor racing and car tuning company; an ABT Sportline body kit with revised front bumper, front air splitter and brake cooling inlets. Side skirts further lower the visual aspect.
As standard the Trakkadu ABT comes in deep black pearl paint with the roof in contrasting Titanium Silver.
The leather trim sets the stage for a luxury-sport Trakka. There’s a multimedia satellite navigation and entertainment system, automatic wipers and cruise control.
Trakkadu has an elevating roof providing good headroom and ventilation. There’s a double bed that converts into a two passenger seat and has child safety seat attachments. There’s a dual-zone ceramic top stove; sink with hot and cold water; roller shutter cupboards and a moveable table.
At the rear there’s additional storage space and a shower with hot and cold water.
Trakka’s Dave Berry sums up the Trakkadu ABT; “We are seeing the biggest changes to the RV industry since I started 40 years ago. A new generation of owners is entering the market for the first time. They are bringing with them a range of new expectations and desires for a lifestyle that is more active, filled with passions that they had throughout their lives and a yearning to travel to new places and continue expanding their life time experiences.”
The Trakka Trakkadu ABT sports campervan isn’t cheap, at $135,500 drive-away, but you do get a lot of equipment for your money. The Trakka range begins at $87,500 drive-away.
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