Fendt Bianco Selection 495 SFE: Innovative transverse galley

For years, Hobby led the sales statistics for caravans, with Fendt close behind. These two have now swapped places this year. And for model year 2018, Fendt continues to push forward with all sorts of innovations. Also in the new Fendt Bianco Selection series.

For this caravan test, we are looking at the Fendt Bianco Selection 495 SFE. What immediately stands out is the rear bumper of the new generation of Fendt caravans. It has been given even more streamlined for all model series. Carbon-look stickers also provide a sporty appearance and bring the caravan even closer to automotive design. But there is more news under the sun at Fendt…

Fendt's clever features

A simple, but ingenious change in all Fendt caravans is that the service hatches have been placed slightly higher. Inside, this provides a more comfortable entry into the beds, but outside, these extra centimeters mean that the opened flaps can no longer touch the ground. And thus remain neatly clean. Another novelty – with a big impact – is the new cap on the integrated water tank in the side wall: just like the fuel cap in cars, Fendt now has a cable between the caravan and the water cap, so you can never lose it again. Another proof that Fendt themselves also go on trips with the caravan is the jockey wheel with integrated drawbar scale. That's how it should be, with caravans in this price range.

Exterior

In terms of appearance, the off-white plating and gray accents give the Fendt its own character. The entrance door in the right side wall now has a window through which you can see visitors arriving, and that same window can also be opened – in combination with all other windows and roof hatches, it provides even more ventilation options. The Bianco Selection is also equipped with aluminum wheels, which gives the caravan a sporty appearance. The polyester of the front is filled with foam, creating sturdiness and excellent insulation. The robust handles are striking, with which you can quickly get the caravan into place – although the majority of Fendt clientele will already have a mover installed. Because the drawbar box moves straight up when opened, you have a lot of access to luggage and gas bottles. A special detail are the orange side marker lights that are recessed in the bottom edge of the caravan.

Living, cooking and sleeping

Inside, the unusual layout immediately stands out. In the 495 SFE we are looking at, the kitchen is placed transversely in the interior, immediately to the left after opening the entrance door. This means the kitchen unit serves as a 'divider' between the sleeping and living areas. You cook on the cast iron grate of the Dometic three-burner gas stove, which is integrated with the sink. A glass back wall ensures that you can look through the entire caravan (sense of space!) and prevents splashes on the duvet, behind the kitchen setup. Three drawers are available for pots, pans and groceries, plus sufficient overhead cabinets.

Directly opposite the entrance door is the Dometic Slim Line Tower, with a capacity of no less than 140 liters. In addition, two large wardrobes have been placed for clothing. If we then turn into the sleeping area, we see that the foot end of the French bed is not built directly against the kitchen – this makes it easy to make the bed. The right side of the caravan has been used here for a small washbasin, and next to the head end of the bed, the toilet area has been given a place. We see an easy-to-clean Thetford bench toilet and sufficient cupboard space for toiletries and towels.

Throughout the interior, wood-colored furniture is combined with light overhead locker flaps and doors – it gives the Fendt a modern look. The seating area offers ample space for two people. Indirect lighting is available along the overhead lockers, and reading spotlights are placed above the two comfortable lounge positions in the corners.

Technology

The Fendt Bianco Selection 495 SFE has a chassis with a 1,700 kg axle and is equipped with Al-Ko's new self-adjusting AAA brakes. Inside, a Truma Combi with integrated boiler provides heating and hot water. Fendt has chosen to place it in the left bench – so the heating is directly where you need it most: in the living area; short hoses from the ring heating quickly bring that spot up to temperature. Water pipes, air hoses, and electrical wiring are neatly concealed, as we are used to from Fendt.

Conclusion

Fendt introduced this layout with a transverse kitchen as a special model, but sales were good, after which the 'SFE' got a permanent place in the German manufacturer's portfolio. Rightly so, because the layout provides both a spacious kitchen setup and a clever separation between living and sleeping. Smart details – such as eight (!) power outlets, smoke detector, hitch weight scale in the jockey wheel, etc. – show that the Fendt designers themselves also go camping. In addition, the equipment and finish are of a high standard. Top caravan!

PLUS & MIN

+ Layout with transverse kitchen
+ Smart details
+ Neat finish

– would prefer a round seating area

Technical information

Body length, with drawbar, interior: 587/722/520 cm
Width exterior, interior: 232/210 cm
Height exterior/interior: 263/195 cm
Bed sizes rear (fixed): 141/131 x 210 cm
front (living area convertible): 140 x 200 cm

Empty weight: 1,379 kg
Total permissible: 1,700 kg
Payload: 321 kg

Price: € 21.990
More information: www.fendt-caravan.com
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