Thetford has launched a new version of its two-zone 902 induction hob with a matte glass top. The release is dated August 2026 and the hob was covered in European trade press during Caravan Salon Düsseldorf, which ran from 28 August to 6 September.

The company says it is available to manufacturers and the aftermarket from season 2027. No price has been published. No manufacturer has been named as a customer.

Let’s break it down.

What Has Actually Changed

Three things, according to the release.

The glass is now matte. This is the company’s first induction hob with a matte finish. Italian trade title Vita in Camper reports it as the first matte finish on any of its kitchen appliances.

The power figures have moved. The new hob is quoted at 2.0 kW and 2.3 kW for the two zones, with a combined maximum of 2.3 kW and a limit of 10A. UK retailers list the current Topline 902 at 1.4 kW and 1.8 kW, rising to 1.8 kW and 2.3 kW on boost.

The fit has not changed. The cut-out and installation footprint are said to be identical to the outgoing model, which needs a 274 x 482mm worktop cut-out. The release also mentions an updated user interface but does not say what changed.

The Matte Claims Need Proof

Marketing Manager Norbert van Noesel said: “Thetford believes matte finishes are the future of RV cooking appliance design.”

The company says the matte surface cuts reflections and fingerprints, is less sensitive to scratches and gives better slip resistance. It also says the hob is “optimised for off level use”, with the glass helping to reduce pan movement.

Fewer fingerprints is plausible, and it sells in a small kitchen under bright LED lights. But no test data has been published on scratch resistance or pan grip. Until it is, those are marketing claims, not facts.

Why the 10A Limit Matters More Than the Finish

Here’s the blunt truth. The finish sells the hob in the showroom. The amperage decides whether your customer has a good first weekend.

At 230V, 10A equals 2.3 kW. That is why the combined maximum is 2.3 kW. The two zones share that budget, so you cannot run both flat out together.

Now look at the pitch. The Camping and Caravanning Club’s guide to campsite electricity says: “Hook-ups on Club Sites have maximum ratings of 10A or 16A and this will limit the number of appliances you can use at one time.” A 16A supply gives you 3.68 kW. The Caravan and Motorhome Club says its UK sites average 16A, while most overseas sites it works with offer 3A to 10A.

On a 10A pitch, this hob at full power uses the whole supply. Add a 2 kW kettle and the bollard trips. On a 16A pitch, you have about 1.4 kW left for everything else.

There is a second question. The outgoing Topline 902 lets the user set a 6A, 10A or 13A limit. The new release only says the hob is limited to 10A. It does not say whether a 6A setting remains, and for anyone touring in Europe that matters. Check before you promise a customer anything.

What This Means for UK Dealers

For OEMs, the identical cut-out is the real story. A drop-in part means no worktop redesign and no new tooling. That is how a component gets swapped without fuss.

Do not expect it across 2027 showroom stock. Most UK 2027 ranges launched in late summer and stock is arriving now. Model year 2028 is the more likely window for wide fitment, unless a manufacturer announces a running change. That is our reading, not a promise from the supplier.

For workshops and accessory retailers, the same cut-out makes a clean upgrade for owners of the current 902. That hob sells online in the UK for between £769 and £1,089.50. The release promises a “more competitive” price for the new model but gives no figure. Wait for the RRP before you build a retrofit offer around it.

The rivals are already at 10A. Dometic sells its CVI1525 two-zone induction hob as built to respect 10A and 2,300W limits, with zones of 1,000W and 1,300W. The new 902’s higher zone figures give you a spec point to make on paper. Whether it cooks faster in real use is untested.

The Bigger Picture

Gas is leaving the kitchen in parts of the UK market. Swift’s 2027 Carrera campervans have an all-electric habitation area with no gas option. A two-burner induction hob, oven, microwave and air fryer all run from a 340Ah lithium battery and a 3kW inverter.

Caravans are moving more slowly. Kimberley Caravans lists every 2027 Coachman Lusso with a “Thetford dual fuel hob with oven and separate grill”, and Couplands Caravans lists the 2027 Coachman VIP 545 and VIP 575 with a dual-fuel hob.

Home-style design is the other driver. Buyers with matte black appliances at home now expect the same on the road. The bet is that the look gets the hob specified and the 10A cap keeps it working on site.

What to Do Next

Brief your sales team on hook-up loads before the 2027 season starts. Anyone who hands over a vehicle with an induction hob should be able to explain 10A versus 16A in one sentence, and tell the customer what they cannot run at the same time.

Then update your spec pages. List the hob model, its amp limit and whether it can be turned down to 6A. Customers heading to France will thank you.

Finally, ask your Thetford rep for three things: the UK RRP, the aftermarket date and the full list of power settings.