Knaus Sport & Fun 480 QL: sporty all-rounder
It has been around for 20 years, has been Caravan of the Year multiple times, and for 2020, the Knaus Sport & Fun is available in a special 'Black Edition'. CampersCaravans.nl takes a look at a multifunctional 'sports bag on wheels'.
The introduction of the Knaus Sport & Fun twenty years ago caused an outright explosion in the usually quiet caravan world. Such a multifunctional caravan had never been seen before: double access doors, a fixed bed under which you could park bicycles, and a wedge-shaped, aerodynamic streamline: the Sport & Fun was a revolutionary concept. And it still is. With model year 2020, Knaus takes a new step: both in terms of design and by applying a revolutionary new chassis.
Exterior
The Black Edition is a special version of the Knaus Sport & Fun, for which you have to bend down for the most important innovation: the caravan is built on AL-KO's new Vario-X caravan chassis, where technicians were inspired by, among other things, the vein structure of tree leaves to save weight. This resulted in a caravan chassis with many cutouts in the steel, 30 percent lighter than a conventional caravan chassis, with the same stiffness.
On the outside, we still see the recognizable wedge shape of the Sport & Fun, with sporty black and carbon accents on the smooth outer plating. The access door is placed in the left wall, and at the rear, a second, extra-wide door, which you can use to place your bulky sports equipment, extra bicycles, a light motorcycle, or scooter. The ladder on the rear and the roof railing are finished in matte black. The roof is made of polyester – good protection against hailstones. The dark taillights complete this special edition.
Living, cooking, sleeping
The caravan has a unique layout with a high-mounted fixed double bed at the front, a lounge sofa with kitchen in the middle, and a wet room at the back. The double bed can be raised, allowing two bicycles to fit underneath with some maneuvering. The lounge sofa is also multifunctional, as it can quickly be converted into a bed for the children. The kitchen has three gas burners, a sink, and ample workspace. All cooking utensils can be easily stored in the drawers, and opposite the kitchen is the large refrigerator, with a spacious wardrobe for clothes behind it. Opposite that wardrobe, we find the toilet area, which can optionally be fitted with an extendable shower tray, creating a real bathroom at the rear of the caravan.
You'll find handy storage compartments in every conceivable spot in the caravan. In terms of design, gray tones have been chosen for both the upholstery and the furniture. Only the floor has wood tones in the durable PVC.
Installations
In terms of equipment, the Sport & Fun is fully complete. Truma heating and boiler, refrigerator, screen door, service hatch for bicycles, drawbar cover, self-adjusting AL-KO brakes. Just install a cassette awning and you're ready to go.
Conclusion Knaus Sport & Fun 480 QL
The Black Edition of the Sport & Fun is not only a cosmetic upgrade but also boasts a significant technical improvement, with the revolutionary AL-KO Vario X-chassis. The caravan has a modern interior and offers plenty of storage space for the most extensive sports equipment. Although it has been around for many years, the Sport & Fun remains one of the most modern caravans in Europe.
PROS & CONS
+ multifunctional concept
+ equipment and finish
+ modern styling
Technical information
DIMENSIONS
Body length, with drawbar: 480/625 cm
Width: 232 cm
Height: 257 cm
Headroom: 196 cm
SEATING & SLEEPING
Number of berths: 2+2
Bed sizes fixed bed: 199×143/125 cm
lounge sofa: 192×121/99 cm
WEIGHTS
Ready-to-drive weight: 1,130kg
Max. permissible mass: 1,400/1500 kg
Payload: 270/370 kg
Price from € 23.367
More information www.knaus.nl
Knaus offer
Are you looking for a Knaus motorhome or caravan? We have many for sale. Curious? View the Knaus offer here. Or first check out a few other caravan tests.
