Nova Caravans has unveiled the Nova Pride, which has plenty of special features new to the Nova range

Nova Caravans was born just a few short years ago in 2006, when Mark Milner and Robert Cataldo teamed up. With more than 20 years RV-building experience, they were becoming disillusioned with their respective employers and felt they could produce a better product.

From a small factory, Nova had planned to release only one or two caravans per week. However, sales grew rapidly and it wasn't long before output doubled and then trebled. Nova moved into larger premises and the business kept expanding. Now, with tough times for all ahead, Nova has decided to slow down a bit and concentrate on building fewer, but better, caravans.

Nova has decided to concentrate on building fewer, but better, caravans

General Manager at Nova Caravans, Paul Golding, was very excited to show off the Pride, the newest Nova to hit the streets, to Australian Caravan+RV. He says this 22-foot caravan is the start of a new era for Nova.

It features an Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylic (ASA) ester plastic front and rear section. This is a new product that is apparently easier to work with and repair than either fibreglass or ABS plastic. This new product offers a weight saving over traditional fibreglass, allows Nova's designers to create a new and distinctive look, and is very tough.

Aside from the new ASA sections, the Pride is built around a Meranti timber frame with aluminium cladding and is fully insulated. Adding to the modern look are new NCE double-glazed windows which have a mozzie screen and block-out screen incorporated into the window frame.

The Pride is built on a Supagal chassis from Preston Chassis with mechanicals including a tandem, load-sharing axle and suspension system, 10-inch electric brakes with a cable handbrake and a Series 5000 Breaksafe unit. Alloys have been shod with Dunlop SP Road Gripper tyres.

The exterior is different from any 'van Nova has built

Extras around the body include a Swift slide out and rotating BBQ with external bayonet, picnic table, reversing camera, A&E awning, full battery pack and the van has been pre-wired for solar panels.

It's a big list. There are all the usual fillers and bits and bobs that go to make up a touring van and Nova has everything covered. The underneath is very neat to match the rest of the caravan.

While the exterior of the Nova Pride is very different from any caravan Nova has previously built, the interior also stands out. Stepping up into the caravan, the ensuite sits on the right and includes a Thetford toilet, separate shower, Lemair washing machine and a vanity unit with mirror for grooming. There are plenty of cupboards for toiletries and other bits and pieces.

Standing in the ensuite and looking towards the front of the van, the main cooking and cleaning section of the kitchen is on the left. The kitchen features some smooth contrasting cabinetry. Appliances include a Swift 500 Series gas/electric oven, Swift rangehood, deep sink and a Samsung microwave. In addition to a raft of cupboard space above and below the bench top, there's also a slide-out pantry and one cupboard which houses twin slide-out baskets.

On the right are a Dometic three-way fridge and a U-shaped dinette that will seat four folks very comfortably. Some trendy material choices spice up the interior.

At the front of the Pride is a smart-looking bedroom, complete with queen-sized bed and inner-spring mattress. There are wardrobes either side of the bed and plenty of storage space underneath for clothing and other touring gear.

Other internal features include a Kenwood stereo system, TCL 19-inch TV on a wall-mounted bracket in the bedroom, a Dometic roof-mounted air-con system plus full 12V lighting. Rounding out the package is a just-released Sensar motorised TV antenna by Winegard which is a new product.

To complement the colour scheme of walnut spice and simpson swirl and the slatted vinyl floor, the large NCE double-glazed windows allow in plenty of natural light and ventilation.

Nova is offering this Pride at a little over $70K, which is a hefty price tag. But if you take into account the list of features, the great build quality, and the classy interior and exterior, it doesn't seem unreasonable.