No surprise to see Swift adding to its Sprite Super line-up of extra-wide tourers for 2021. And it’s no shock, either, to see the chosen new layout – transverse island bed with full-width rear washroom really is the floorplan of the moment.
Extra, extra!
Just to be clear, the Supers are the extra-wide Sprite models – there are three such offerings for 2021, with the Major 4SB the newest and the only one on a single axle chassis. That helps contribute towards what, for an 8ft-wide caravan, is reasonably light weight.
This early example of the Super Major 4SB was viewed at Swift dealer Greentrees in Norfolk. As is the way, all Sprite Supers have had specification upgrades for this season – the likes of a front sunroof, microwave oven, DAB radio, alloy wheels and more, arguably makes 2021 Sprites the best equipped ever – not bad for a brand that can trace its roots back to the late 1940s.
Safety and security haven’t been sacrificed, either. 2021 Sprite Super caravans now have an AKS 3004 stabiliser and Al-Ko Secure wheel lock receiver, both from Al-Ko. Plus as with all Swift tourers, the Sprite Super Major 4 SB gets the Command Tracker device.
GRP-clad bodywork using polyurethane instead of wood and is backed by a 10-year water ingress warranty and includes fixing points for a bike rack at the back.
The “smiley” front end that was introduced in 2016 has been retained, with the upgrades of that sunroof as well as a single door full-width locker with two locks and recesses on the drawbar that are sturdy enough for you to stand on (for cleaning etc).
But it’s the layout that’s all-important and here Sprite is surely onto a winner with the Super Major 4SB.
That island bed extends to a 1.85m x 1.33m maximum and that mattress is the latest Duvalay Duvalite Apollo Luxe with Freshtrec foam designed to optimise airflow.
Meanwhile, the front lounge can be made into two not-so-short singles (they’re just under 6ft) or a fully adult-sized transverse double.
There’s sliding door access to the washroom beyond the island bed, where you’ll find a Thetford swivel-bowl toilet with window beyond, central handbasin set over a shelved locker, and a decent-sized shower cubicle with Ecocamel Orbit showerhead.
Confined to a single unit along the offside and right over the axle, the kitchen in the Swift Sprite Super Major 4SB is adequate, with its provision of a Thetford cooker with three gas rings and a separate oven and grill. Next to it is a stainless steel circular sink.
The worktop extension will prove handy, while the location of the microwave oven is sensible.
Hot water and blown air heating are courtesy of Truma’s trusty Combi system, operating from gas and/or mains electricity. Other highlights in the Sprite Super Major 4SB range from Swift’s Command app (for remote monitoring and operating of key appliances, and more), to a stereo with digital radio, to a Status 570 TV aerial. Lighting is all-LED and there are mains as well as a couple of USB sockets.
Cutbacks? The door is a windowless, one-piece unit, the fridge only has a 100-litre capacity, although the freezer section is removable if you want to have it all for chilling (you might want to invest in a supplementary coolbox, too).
Verdict: Extra roomy, extra specification but not extra heavy
Plus: Great standard kit list for a so-called budget ‘van, extra width means more living (and storage) space
Minus: Small fridge, restricted payload
In-a-nutshell: Ups the ante in the budget sector
Alternatives: Adria Adora Isonzo, Bailey Phoenix+ 644, Coachman Acadia 875 Xcel
Sprites slowly increasing spec. But bigger again, longer, wider and heavier. Basically all the kit you need we had in 2010 Europa