The KAMEI Delphin 380 is the replacement for the Delphin 375, the previous Auto Express “Best Buy” roof box.  It’s a completely new box, a new lid on a new base, with KAMEI’s superb “Comfort Sliding Fitting”, a low profile box to bars fitting system.  Which? rated the Delphin 375 as both the most secure and the most waterproof roof box in their 2007 test – the new Delphin 380 is just as well made, and is available in both left hand opening format and right hand opening format.

“Quality is excellent – the plastic is easily the sturdiest in the group, and all lock catches are metal.  These are self-latching, but there isn’t a single-point release as found on the Corvara. However, this drawback is more than made up for by the ease of closing the box when loaded." Auto Express

KAMEI Delphin 340K - 340 litres, 190 x 75 x 40cm

>> KAMEI Delphin 340K right hand opening
>> KAMEI Delphin 340K LEFT hand opening

We've always liked KAMEI's Delphin range. No frills, but they have the strongest locking system on the market, seem to last for ever, never go wrong, win product tests, and keep looking good when other more obviously stylish boxes look a bit weird 3 years up the line. When we did mail order roof box hire they were the only boxes which could stand the punishment. The new Delphin 340s were launched in 2007, incorporating the same key features - the locking system, low profile sliding fittings front and back, gas struts, DUROKAM plastic - but with new styling, and an aerofoil base. The 340s have the same base as the award winning Corvara 390s, but a different shaped lid. They're available in right or left hand opening, and there are also versions in KAMEI's "carbon design" plastic - see below. Suitable for carving skis up to 180cm.

If you think that 340 litres seems a bit small, don't worry. KAMEI are scrupulous about measuring capacity, but other manufacturers are prone to exaggeration. The Auto Express testers didn't ask for this box but their photographs show that they fitted more into a KAMEI 390 litre than into another brand's 440 litre! Low profile box to bar fittings also make a difference, but don't get too hung up about nominal capacity...

KAMEI Corvara 390K - 390 litres, 190 x 75 x 43cm

>> KAMEI Corvara 390K DuoLift silver
>> KAMEI Corvara 390K DuoLift titanium metallic
>> KAMEI Corvara 390K DuoLift black metallic

Kamei Corvara 390K Duolift (silver):
Auto Express Best Buy 2008

KAMEI's Corvara family of roof boxes includes all the hallmarks of the KAMEI brand - smart engineering, bespoke quality materials, top build quality - but also the most savvy and user-friendly fitting and locking systems that you'll find on any boxes. And now the 'DuoLift' boxes are available, dual side opening using gas struts which makes the whole opening and closing process uniquely smooth. The maximum load limit has also been increased to 75kg.

These boxes have an elegance and all round sophistication that only Thule's Spirit series can match, with pricing that is both realistic and sensible; the DuoLift boxes are only marginally more expensive than the single siders. The 390K was launched at the start of this year, so it was the Long Thin version, the Corvara 310, which won ADAC's roof boxes test in December 2006. ADAC is Europe's largest motoring organisation.

This box seems bigger than its 390 litres might suggest. Its external width and height are comparable to the biggest boxes in this sector, but it's a tad shorter than some, one of the design briefs being to look just right on a VW Golf, allowing the rear hatch to be fully opened but without too much front overhang. It's also designed to carry carving skis up to 180cm long, as well as a family's summer touring gear; the consensus here is that KAMEI have got it just right. Choose between plain silver, titanium metallic (a deep gloss silver-grey, shown) or gloss black.

>> KAMEI Corvara 310 DuoLift silver
>> KAMEI Corvara 310 DuoLift titanium metallic
>> KAMEI Corvara 310 DuoLift black metallic

If you're looking for a box of the highest quality, narrow enough to leave space for e.g. canoes, kayaks, bike carriers, then the award winning Corvara 310 should be top of your shortlist, especially as it now comes in dual side opening format ("DuoLift"), giving you complete flexibility about where to position it. The single side opening version of this box won ADAC's roof boxes test in December 2006 - ADAC is Europe's largest motoring organisation. These new Corvara DuoLifts are as good as they come - check the next page for further details.

Check out the 2 box options if you want to carry 2 boxes at once.

>> KAMEI Corvara 475 DuoLift silver
>> KAMEI Corvara 475 DuoLift titanium metallic
>> KAMEI Corvara 475 DuoLift black metallic

KAMEI's elegant new Corvara boxes incorporate the best of their engineering innovations - U bolt grippers, sliding box to bar fittings front and back, the "Click to lock" central locking system (all the virtues of central locking but none of the hassles), an ultra low profile "push-push" quick fitting system. Lean into the box and, with minimal effort, push the spring loaded tensioning arm up and down a few times to tighten the box onto the bars. Keeping the fittings as low as possible maximises the usable space in the box. And now they have gas strut assisted dual side opening, and a 75kg loading limit.

We have a limited number of the superb Kamei Corvara 475 "White Star" DuoLift in a gloss white finish, a white top on a white base. Almost £395 a pop, but you're paying for exclusivety as well as quality, and of course they'll reflect the sun better than any other box available!

For more information see the Corvara 475 roof boxes above.