Review written on 8/1964.
The Van segment is not for everyone. But the Alpine may be the vehicle for you. Durack sure hopes it is. So this week I took a trip down to Durack's headquarters to test out the Alpine. Luckily we've also tested the everyone else and the Entrance this year. So we should be able to give you a verdict on how it stands in the Van community.
The first stop with the Durack Alpine was the track. Where this Van performed rather well. We found its 181 hp @ 2185RPMs 5441 cc V6 engine to give a decent response without being overly powerful. Although it's not class leading the Alpine is better than most of its competition on the track. We were able to get the Alpine up to a top speed of 86 mph and hit a 14.702s 0 to 60 mph time. If that wasn't enough with the 348 lb-ft of torque will melt the tires off the rims. When hooked to a trailer, this baby will haul an amazing 10613 lbs! When it comes right down to it, the Alpine is for good or worse, average, well maybe slightly above average for a Van. Compared to its peers in the Van class the Durack Alpine selling point should not be driveability. The Alpine offers bare bones handling. There is just enough grip in the wheels to keep you from flying off the side of a cliff... But not much. On the track, it is not much better.
Interior build, materials, and features are average for the segment. The Durack Alpine's cabin isn't going to amaze. But compared to most other vehicles of this type, it's not going to let you down. It has most of the standard features, and comfort, while lacking in some areas, is decent.
Amazingly spacey the Durack Alpine can bost 115 cu-ft interior and cargo space. This vehicle is massive compared to most. It's one of our top choices when it comes to practicality.
Serious effort goes into every Durack Alpine produced. The build quality of these vehicles is amazing! We could not find a single flaw in its construction while we were testing it. Everything fits properly, nothing is misaligned or misplaced. All of us here at GCM commend Durack in their efforts when it comes to the production of this vehicle.
It is a rare occurrence to see the Durack Alpine in the shop. These are some of the most reliable vehicles in the segment made. Durack knows how to build a machine that will last the ages. No planned obsolescence here.
Durack Alpine's 15.4 mpg city and leaves plenty of room for improvement. We do truly believe that the engineers at Durack can squeeze a few more mileage out of this vehicle to get it up to at least average.
You could really tell the engineers at Durack designed the Alpine to save lives. This vehicle not only reduces the risk of being killed in it, but reduces the risk of being killed from it. This vehicle should be looked at as a marvel of preventative engineering.
I was happy with the time I spent in the Durack Alpine. This car is truly magnificent. I think future generations will look back at this vehicle and think, "I wish I owned one of these." It is absolutely one of the best Van you can buy. An instant classic that others in the segment will be compared to. I wish I could spend more time with the Alpine but it is time for them to take it away. I believe I might go buy one myself.