X-Edition Cheetah

THE LETTER “X” SEEMS TO BE ENJOYING quite a bit of popularity these days. There’s
Generation X, “X-Treme” sporting events and, for all the football fans, let’s not forget
the XFL football league. Now Safari Motor Coaches enters the fray with its X-Edition
Cheetah Class A motorhome. The X-Edition is a package available on all Safari motorhomes as
part of what the company says is “an on-going effort to bring more value and livability to
motorhome enthusiasts.” In the case of the entry-level Cheetah diesel-pusher coach, the
X-Edition offers potential buyers $7,000 of upgrades for no additional cost over a standard
Cheetah. These include exterior paint and graphics, larger 255/70R22.5 tires, a larger
1,500-watt Heart Interface inverter, a standard 13-inch television in the bedroom and a
Sony VCR in the living room. In addition, the Cheetah’s hardwood alder cabinets feature a
new Golden Cherry finish in the X-Edition, and the interior fabric is available in three
colors: Ansongo (rust), Mansa (green) and Jombe (gold). Matching wallcoverings and
upholstered valances complete the design motif. Other than these special “X features,” the
X-Edition is the same as standard Cheetah models. It rides on a Magnum chassis (built by
Safari’s parent company, SMC), featuring BF Goodrich Torsilastic rubber-torsion springs,
three-point leveling and four-wheel hydraulic anti-lock disc brakes. Power comes from a
300-hp Caterpillar diesel engine producing 860 lb-ft of torque, which is routed to the
wheels by an Allison 3000MH six-speed automatic transmission. The Cheetah is available in
both 34- and 37-foot lengths, and a total of four floorplans are offered. All models
feature a dinette/couch slideout, and two models (one 34-foot and one 37-foot) include a
bedroom slideout as well. The curbside galley features a microwave/convection oven, molded
countertops with rounded edges, a curved backsplash, a dual-basin sink, a three-burner
cooktop and an 8-cubic-foot refrigerator. Hardwood floors from the galley extend into the
four-place dining area. Entertainment is provided by a Sony dash-mounted radio with four
speakers located throughout the coach, as well as a 20-inch television mounted at the front
of the coach in an overhead console. Out back, the Cheetah features a “designer” bedroom
with a queen-size bed, a built-in vanity, a dresser, a large double-door closet that
extends across the width of the coach, and extra shelves/storage. An island bathroom
cabinet features a Genovese countertop with molded sink, and the shower enclosure has a
skylight to brighten the rear of the coach. The Cheetah utilizes a steel frame with
aircraft-grade aluminum-framed laminated side walls, and polystyrene block insulation is
used in the walls, floors and roof. Climate control is provided by a 40,000-BTU furnace and
two 13,500-BTU ducted roof air conditioners, while auxiliary power is supplied by an
LP-gas-powered Onan Emerald 6.3-kW 120-volt AC generator. Capacities include 88.5 gallons
of diesel fuel, 100 gallons of fresh water, 55 gallons of gray water, 55 gallons of black
water, 35 gallons of propane and a 6-gallon water heater. The Safari X-Edition Cheetah has
a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds and a gross combined weight rating of 31,000
pounds. It retails for $128,000 to $149,000. Article by: Chris Hemer Safari Motor Coaches,
SMC Corporation, P.O. Box 5639, Bend, Oregon 97708; (541) 995-8214