JURGENS PENTA 138 GS

Ever since I saw the new prototype, Jurgens Penta, late last year,

I have been eager to get one for review. The older model has been a firm favourite for what seems like decades but, to be fair, this is possibly because it had very limited opposition capable of challenging it for the number-one spot. In fact, the original Penta has been around so long that it must surely be the yardstick on which all future Penta’s will be judged?

You could correct me here, but in between the original and the 138, the Penta 135 GS was launched, with GS referring to the grey and silver colour. The 135 GS was not well received and was replaced at the end of 2019 with the new Penta 138 GS. And, on face value, having a growing national dealership back-up and being manufactured in a factory that can produce quantity, it must surely have the potential to regain the top spot.

NEW MANUFACTURE MATERIALS

The new Penta 138 is said to be completely different from the old model. Aluminium side cladding has been replaced with fibreglass, although manufacture has retained the combination of fibreglass, wood, polystyrene, and plywood vacuumed method for body construction.

The totally new shaped Penta also now features bold graphics, while recessed dark armour-plated glass windows replace acrylic that was prone to scratching and eventual cracking. The roofline is more bowed, higher in the centre to aide efficient water run-off, rather than allowing moisture to dam up and eventually rot the canvas around the soffit.

Mechanically, the old forged steel AlKo-Trailco coupling has been replaced with a more modern pressed and galvanised steel unit. This version of the coupler has a green indicator to confirm that a good coupling between tow ball and coupling has been made before one drives off, and it probably saves a few kilos in weight, which may be another advantage of its choice in fitment.