Winnebago Ekko Blends Camper Efficiency With AWD in Off-Grid Transit Package

Winnebago, a motorhome creator from Forest City, Iowa, that’s arguably a notch or two up the legendary scale (or, at least, it’s older – founded in 1958, while the Transit has been traveling the world since 1965) has definitely taken notice.

As such, one of the stars of its “The Road Ahead 2020” virtual product launch event was the Class C model “Ekko,” a completely new build that’s based on the Ford Transit. The company says it was created to combine “the efficiency of a camper van, the added capacity of a Class C coach, and the enhanced capability of AWD to create not just a new model, but an entirely new type of RV.”

Because they’re the experts asking at least $163,662 for an Ekko painted in one of two available colors (Raw Sienna or Verdant), we’ll take their word for granted and focus on the fully loaded specifications list. According to Winnebago, the Ekko has been prepared for just about any adventure, on and off the grid, and no matter the weather conditions.

That’s because the Ford Transit-based Ekko comes with a secret up its sleeve – or, rather, inside and under the body – it has all-wheel drive, all the tanks and water lines hidden inside the coach, as well as increased all-weather insulation material count.

It also boasts off-grid capabilities, thanks to the 50-gallon freshwater tank and the addition of three roof-mounted solar panels capable of harnessing up to 455 watts, a second alternator for battery recharging, as well as a Lithium-ion battery pack.

As far as the actual driving platform is concerned, Ford’s Transit packs the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, delivering 310 horsepower and 400 lb. ft. (542 Nm) of torque to the AWD system through the company’s already ubiquitous ten-speed automatic transmission.