New Winnebago Ekko motorhome promises year-round, off-the-grid camping

By Joe Lorio - Nov 23, 2020

ekko hero

ekko hero

 

It's based on a four-wheel-drive Ford Transit

 

The call of #vanlife and off-the-grid camping has proven especially strong during this COVID year, but what if you want a little more space than offered by the typical van conversion? You might try this Winnebago Ekko, which offers the space of a motorhome but with the boondocking capability of a smaller rig. And while it's not quite an EarthRoamer in terms of off-road ability, the 23.2-foot Ekko is based on an AWD Ford Transit that should allow it to get further out into the wild than a traditional motorhome.

To make the Ekko cold-weather capable, Winnebago insulated the roof, walls, and floor. Additionally, water tanks and lines are contained within the heated space above floor level, and dual-pane windows are used.

 

ekko interior 2

ekko interior 2

ekko interior

ekko interior

 

A trio of solar panels on the roof can generate 455 watts of electricity, stored in the standard lithium-ion batteries, which are also recharged by the engine. The Ekko's off-the-grid readiness is enhanced by its 50-gallon freshwater tank.

An optional pop-top takes sleeping capacity from two to four. There's a bathroom with a sink, toilet and shower with hot water supplied by a tankless heater. A galley kitchen is on hand, with a sink, cooktop and refrigerator/freezer, and a slide-out outdoor kitchen is available. A "gear garage" at the rear is large enough for bikes and is accessible from three sides. 

 

ekko storage

ekko storage

 

The Ekko is based on the Ford Transit van powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. A 31-gallon fuel range should provide for a decent cruising range. A full complement of active-safety features is on hand, including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver-alertness monitor.

The Ekko is priced from $163,662 and should be available sometime after the first of the year. Winnebago is planning a second, larger version as well.

 

ekko roof

ekko roof

 

SOURCE: autoblog