Talking the Talk!

Grandeur was indeed the order of the day as we trekked through NSW’s picturesque Hunter Valley during Caravan World's 'Luxe Touring' event. Traipsing around Australia's premier wine region is an optimum RVing experience. And when you're doing it in a top-of-the-range Jayco Optimum — the world's first voice-activated motorhome — it's impossible not to notice the synergy.

There aren't enough superlatives to describe this motorhome. It's first-class and flawless, it's RVing at the zenith of opulence and technology!

Jayco's motorhome range is renowned for its market-leading vacuum-bonded quad-layer wall construction. It's also well documented that the range is built on a lightweight aluminium frame for extra strength and longevity. Jayco’s 'Tough Frame' provides great thermal and acoustic insulation and is finished in high-gloss fibreglass that is hail- and dent-resistant.

But with the Optimum, I'm also captivated with the seamlessly integrated technology for intuitive, effortless living. Make no mistake, this is an advanced motorhome.

EASE OF CONNECTIVITY

It features Jayco’s exclusive RVConnect — a collection of lifestyle technology — including Amazon Alexa (voice-activated lighting and virtual assistant), Bluetooth awning (the app-operated electric awning rolls out with just a touch of a button), 360-degree cameras (no blind spots when driving and parking), and a Winegard Wi-Fi extender (which captures signals within a significantly increased range and provides maximum security and mobile internet speed with 4G capability) — thus, better coverage allowing you to Skype and Facetime family and friends from anywhere.

The Optimum also comes with an exclusive JHub portable tablet control panel (now with a phone app providing complete transparency of the onboard features), Sphere 12V satellite system, and a pop-up power tower.

CRUISING IN LUXURY

It's powered by an ultra-reliable Iveco Daily 70c base vehicle with a 3L four-cylinder bi-turbo engine and eight-speed Hi-Matic automatic gearbox. It also has plenty of get-up-and-go, with maximum power of 1250kW and maximum torque of 470Nm. I can tell you, courtesy of its Iveco ECAS airbag suspension, there was no ‘clang’ as we cruised over the bitumen, and the Hi-Matic provided a smooth transition.

The Optimum also possesses impressive capacities, with 240L of fresh water, 80L of grey water, and 320W of solar. It also houses dual 100Ah batteries and a 100L fuel tank.

I'm roused by its external storage attributes led by copious storage with underfloor baggage doors, along with a slide-out kitchen, Onan 3.6kW generator, entertainment unit, fold-out table, electric awning (with LED light) and entry step, side-mount gas bayonet, twin 9kg gas cylinders, and a 240V double powerpoint.

Fully self-contained for extended travel, the Optimum is perfect for getaways in superior contemporary comfort. 

SLIDE OUT TO SLIDE ON IN

A vibrant 'home on wheels' for couples and families, it sleeps two adults in a large 12V slide-out double bed (which opens up the living space when deployed), with an option to sleep two more adults in a bed over the cabin. The aluminium-framed main lift-up bed (with orthopaedic bed slats) boasts an innerspring pillow top mattress, and has great storage — a constant theme throughout this motorhome.

I simply love its sleek interior decor, highlighted by the contemporary 'matte black' look (tapware, sink and vanity basin) in the galley and ensuite, and the neutral tones of a white sand and rich timber palette.

For the fastidious travelling chef, the kitchen is to die for complete with Thetford induction cooktop, 216L Dometic RUA8 three-way fridge, Hafele convection microwave, 12V rangehood (with LED lights and twin fans), Midea dishwasher, full-sized pot drawers, and a pull-out pantry.

And the mod cons don't end there. The full-size bathroom features a Thetford ceramic toilet, spacious fibreglass shower cubicle, and a 3.3kg Sphere washing machine.

The Optimum's effervescence extends to the stylish Euro-style furniture — including an aluminium-framed, leather-upholstered cafe dinette. Even the solid sandwich-panel floor is aluminium framed.

Other items that caught my eye are the new Nautilus instant hot water system (you'll never run out of hot water again!), double-glazed push-out windows with roller blinds, roof-mounted Dometic Harrier air-conditioner and Sirocco fans, LED roof hatch, Furrion stereo, 32in LED flat screen TV/DVD, additional internal TV point, and LED strip lights underneath the overhead cupboards. Meanwhile, the high-tech electrical suite includes a BMPRO J35 battery management system, BMPRO ControlNode 102, slide controller and an auto-level system that eliminates the problem of excess slopes.

Jayco also places a huge emphasis on safety features and a standard feature on the Optimum is an engine immobiliser, a state-of-the-art anti-theft system which prevents the engine from running unless the correct car key is used. It also carries Electronic Stability Control (ESC or ESP), which corrects for over-steering or under-steering of the vehicle by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel in extreme driving conditions for improved control and stability, and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) which helps to avoid skidding during emergency stops.

Other safety items include child restraints, rear-view camera, and a solid ADR-approved main door with gas strut. It also comes standard with the 360-degree camera kit.

This Optimum was fitted with a few options including an IV alloy bullbar, IV towbar 3 tonne, alloy side steps, and a slide-out kitchen.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Hunter Valley exudes an energy and personality all of its own, ironically, not unlike the Jayco Optimum with its charisma and vivacity.

A Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association slogan is “Here's to the Good Life”. And when it comes to celebrating the good life, pound-for-pound there's no better motorhome than the Jayco Optimum.

Finally, when it comes to raising the bar of ultimate on-the-road luxury touring, the Jayco Optimum talks the talk in more ways than one!

Specs

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

Overall length: 9m (29ft 6in)

External width: 2.41m (7ft 11in)

Travel height: 3.24m (10ft 8in)

Internal height: 2.01 (6ft 7in)

Bed size: 1.8m x 1.4m (4ft 7in x 5ft 11in)

Tare: 5060kg

GVM: 7000kg

Licence: Light Rigid

Passengers: Four

ENGINE

Base vehicle: Iveco Daily 70c

Engine: 3L Bi-turbo

Gearbox: Eight-speed Hi-Matic automatic

Max power: 150kW

Max torque: 470Nm

EXTERNAL

Brakes: Electric

Fresh water: 3 x 80L

Grey water: 1 x 80L

Solar: 2 x 160W

Air-conditioner: Dometic Harrier

Gas: 2 x 9kg

Cooking: Slide-out kitchen

INTERNAL

Cooking: Thetford induction

Fridge: Dometic RUA8 three-way 216L

Microwave: Hafele convection

Toilet: Thetford ceramic

Shower: Fibreglass cubicle 1100

Washing machine: Sphere 3.3kg

Batteries: 2 x 100Ah + provision

Lighting: 12V

Hot water: Nautilus

OPTIONS FITTED

IV alloy bullbar; IV towbar 3T; alloy side steps; slide-out kitchen

PRICE AS SHOWN

$239,845

MORE INFORMATION

Jayco Newcastle. T: (02) 4028 0111