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Contents

8

Contents 27

71

24 51

34

31

News and views 5

Welcome An A-class for €1.5m!

7

This month Confusing road tax VED position update

10

Next month Campervan special

Reviews

39

31

Frankia Platin I7900 Plus An options list is hardly necessary

57

Mobilvetta K-Yacht 80 Rear lounge and UK-handed

34

Hymer B-MC I 600 WhiteLine Special edition with extra spec

60

Morelo Loft 79F £250,000 buys luxury like this

36

Hymer Exsis-i 580 Younger interior for this slimline ’van

63

Niesmann Arto 78F Erwin Hymer Group’s flagship brand

39

Itineo RC740 Unique island bed design with a garage

67

Pilote Galaxy G720FC 7.25m length with face-to-face lounge

71

Rapido M96 Gallic maker builds on Merc once more

12

A-class above?

Experts guide you on A-class buying

42

Knaus Live I 700 MEG Good-looking new range for under £70k

17

Adria Sonic Axess 600 SL More compact A-class added to the range

45

Laika Ecovip 609 More affordable Italian style

21

Carado I338 Clever New sub-7m model for 2020

48

Laika Kreos 7009 Flagship Fiat-based 8m motorhome

24

Carthago E-line I 50 LE Now on front-wheel drive Mercedes

51

Le Voyageur Classic LV7.8LU Stunning new rear lounge layout

Eura Mobil Integra Line 650 HS German ’van for British tastes?

54

27

79

Le Voyageur Signature I8.5HF Single beds or a double? Have both!

Buying 74

Buying advice Pre-owned A-classes

79

Dealer forecourt BTA Motorhomes

82

Insurance GAP cover Protection when you buy on finance

84

Classified advertising Buy and sell

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In this issue of

A-class motorhomes are usually seen as the ultimate, but you don’t always need a lottery win to own one. The latest models from Carado and Itineo (reviewed on pages 21 and 39) are priced at around £60k – similar money to a number of higher-spec van conversions. And if that’s too rich for your budget, then there are plenty of pre-owned options on dealer forecourts to tempt, because A-classes from top European brands have been popular here since the 1990s. Our review of secondhand examples (see page 74) reveals prices starting at just £21,995 – and all the vehicles are with well-known retailers, plus they’ve not been to the moon and back.

It’s interesting to note that, according to several industry experts, some buyers are now choosing an A-class (even big liner-style models) as their first ’van. You’d need to do plenty of research before jumping into motorhoming like that, but it could save you money in the long run if you get it right. Don’t rush in, examine the pedigree of both manufacturers and models, and consider carefully how you’re going to use your motorhome before you make a decision. Or, if you’ve got a Euromillions win burning a hole in your pocket, how about the Volkner Mobil Performance S shown above? Its €1,500,000 price tag doesn’t include the Porsche 911 Cabriolet...

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This month New motorhome VED tax confusion onfusion over the new road tax rules, which came into effect for new motorhomes powered by the latest (and cleanest) Euro 6d (sometimes also referred to as Euro 6.2) diesel engines in September 2019, is growing.

Several issues have come to light since the rules – which mean buyers of new motorhomes are now faced with a £2,870 higher Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) bill over a six-year period – were introduced.

The industry trade body, the National Caravan Council (NCC), continues to lobby to have motorhomes and campervans excluded from the tax change but, if successful, it is unlikely the VED system will be amended before the start of the new tax year at the beginning of April or, more likely, April 2021.

The new VED rules, which were introduced following a change in EU regulations and a new (WLTP – Worldwide harmonised Light vehicle Test Procedure) emissions testing regime, mean that new motorhomes and campervans powered by engines meeting the latest and most stringent emission standards moved from the previous commercial vehicle tax band into the much higher car tax band. This means the first year’s VED for some new

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motorhomes has increased from £265 up to £2,135 – a 705% increase – plus owners will be liable for an annual charge for the following five years of £465 (up from £265).

Motorhomes powered by previous (Euro 6b) generation engines are not affected by the tax changes, even if first registered in 2020, and a number of these vehicles remain in dealer stocks.

Some motorhome manufacturers (including Bailey and Swift) have also built a limited number of 2020spec vehicles on the run-out chassis with Euro 6b engines.

However, it has become clear that some new 2020-season models powered by the latest Euro 6d engines can also be subject to a lower rate of tax if registered

before 5 April 2020. In this case some vehicles can be subject to a first year’s VED of £1,815, while the 140bhp manual gearbox version of the Fiat Euro 6d engine (which has lower emissions under the previous NEDC testing than all other derivatives of the new Ducato) can be taxed at an even lower rate of £1,280. To further complicate matters, it is suggested that the build date of the chassis may influence whether these lower rates can be applied, instead of the full £2,135 for the first year.

Even more confusingly, it has also come to light that some motorhomes based on the rearwheel drive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis (but not the frontdrive models) are also not liable for the new VED rates at all – and remain taxed at £265.

This is down to the way Mercedes-Benz registers the original build chassis. “A rearwheel drive Sprinter certified as light-duty would be affected by this VED hike, while the same vehicle certified as heavy-duty would not be affected,” explains Mercedes. This means buyers opting for a rear-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based motorhome can save thousands of pounds when compared to a front-

wheel drive model.

“The front-wheel drive Sprinter does not yet have any heavy-duty emissions certification, so all frontwheel drive vehicles will currently be light-duty [and therefore liable for the higher VED rate],” explained a Mercedes-Benz spokesman. “I believe heavy-duty cycle testing is planned during 2020 but couldn’t give a specific date when this is expected.”

Much of the confusion is thanks to the way the new WLTP emissions testing works. “Now, as WLTP applies only to light-duty vehicles and brings with it many new considerations and complexities, the two categories and their differences have been highlighted in a big way,” said the Mercedes spokesman. “It is very much an added confusion along with all the intricacies of the WLTP regs.”

To help the situation and try to remove confusion, some manufacturers and dealers are offering to cover the increased cost of the tax, so check first what your liability as a buyer is. The advice for customers is to clarify with the dealer at the time of ordering what VED rate the model being purchased will be categorised under.

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 7

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This month Essex dealer expands t is hoped that Pullingers Leisure Vehicles’ new site on the A131 between Sudbury and Halstead and around four miles from the current address, will be fully operational by the end of January.

The new site, which is a former coachyard and is next door to a classic Porsche specialist, already has security posts and fencing in place and some vehicles in position.

When opened there will be 60 to 70 new and used motorhomes there, including several in the glass-fronted showrooms, which are currently being developed with mezzanine offices above. All the vehicles will be hooked up to mains power so that they can be demonstrated with lights

I

on, etc, and, if the company is able to buy adjoining farmland it would allow Pullingers to keep its entire stock of 80-plus vehicles on one site for the first time.

There is also a two-bay workshop adjacent to the showroom, while a third building will accommodate a parts store and an accessory shop.

Pullingers is a family-run dealership with Dethleffs, Sunlight, Pilote and Le Voyageur franchises.

It has typically specialised in larger, high-end vehicles but has recently responded to the growing campervan sector by taking on the Danbury brand, including both the UK-built VW T6s and French-made Avenir models on Fiat Ducato.

1,000TH GRAND CALIFORNIA The 1,000th Grand California rolled off the assembly line at Volkswagen’s Polish factory recently.

Production of this Crafter-based motorhome only began in spring 2019.

This landmark campervan, a Grand California 600 model, is being delivered to a customer in Germany, who specified the red/white exterior paint scheme along with a panoramic rooflight and extra bunk bed. In the UK, orders only started to be taken in October 2019, with first customer deliveries due in spring 2020.

To read our review of the Grand California see our December/January issue (Compact ‘vans special), which is available to buy at: pocketmags.com

Cutomised Custom S-RT has revealed a limited edition of its Ford Transit Custom, called the MS-RT R185.

The company, which uses styling and technology pioneered by Ford’s works rally team, is producing a limited run of just 40 of these R185s, designed and built at its factory in Pontypool, south Wales.

Priced from £37,995, the limited edition is based on the Transit Custom DCIV five-seat double cab and is available only in stealthy Slate Grey from Ford’s own Special Vehicle Operations department, with subtle red and black rally decals and a unique radiator grille

M

featuring a red flash.

In addition, it gets bi-Xenon headlamps, advanced driver assistance systems including adaptive cruise control, a rear view camera, 230V power inverter and a lift-up tailgate. It also features 18in OZ Racing alloy wheels in gloss black, along with a full carbon-fibre steering wheel with red centre line and stitching and a unique red-stitched leather interior, plus smart gloss black exhaust tips.

MS-RT Founding Director, Edward Davies, said, “The MS-RT Transit Custom has already been a huge success and we’ve

developed the R185 in response to customer demand for something even more bespoke. The limitededition model is sure to sell out very quickly and become an icon among fans of the MS-RT brand.”

MS-RT Transits have previously been converted into campervans

by Rolling Homes and Wellhouse Leisure, so the new R185 could, perhaps, form the basis of the ultimate Ford camper.

❯❯ 8|

| FEBRUARY 2020

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This month Bespoke motorhome auctioned

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history, giving skiing fanatics everything they could possibly need to traverse the slopes in considerable style.

Lee Mabbutt, Head of Vehicles at John Pye, said, “This is one of the finest bespoke motorhomes that I’ve ever seen and I’m confident that it’s the most exciting to have hit the market in recent times. The estimated price represents a massive saving on new and the vehicle has only travelled 10,500km. It is the absolute

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dream for those who enjoy travelling independently and it’s completely purpose-built for fans of winter sports.

What better time for this to be available than now, with the ski season just beginning?”

The Nomad is based on a left-hand drive Mercedes-Benz Actros lorry with a fully automatic transmission and air suspension, plus rear-axle steering to increase the manoeuvrability of this supersized vehicle.

A recent survey, commissioned by insurer, Lifesure, has found that many British people dream of quitting the rat race and heading out on the open road. Just over half (55%) say they’re not wedded to their jobs, while 36% say they dream of a life on the open road.

One-in-six even claimed that they are about to quit the daily grind.

Over 40% of those surveyed said they would like to live full-time in a campervan, with 54% saying they’d convert their own. Over half said they would like to try living off-grid.

“This research shows that people still have romantic dreams of life on the open road and we are not surprised,” said Nick Long, Commercial Director, Lifesure.

“The flexibility and fun offered by campervans is second to none. By converting a van to a motorhome, owners can customise and create their ultimate home away from home. You can see the appeal.”

NEXT MONTH MARCH ISSUE ON SALE 6 FEBRUARY

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CAMPERVAN SPECIAL It’s all campervans next month, from pop-top VWs to Hymer’s innovative new DuoCar and many popular models in between

Contents may be subject to change

26-tonne, 12-metre, custombuilt motorhome complete with a roof terrace and heated garage, has gone to auction with an anticipated price of £250,000. However, bidding ended at ‘just’ £153,065.

Built in 2016 by Whittaker Coachbuilders, The Nomad was designed to be a versatile and luxury vehicle for travel throughout Europe during the ski season. Its living area, complete with American RV-style slide-out extension, has been designed to be a comfortable and relaxing space for up to six travellers. It also features a rear garage that can house a small car (such as Fiat Panda or Peugeot 107), a heated wet locker, solar panels, central heating and air-conditioning, and a high-spec kitchen with a dishwasher and wine cooler.

John Pye, the UK auction house dealing with the sale, said The Nomad represents one of the most unique vehicles it has offered in its 50-year

A

HALF OF BRITS WANT TO QUIT THE RAT RACE

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Buying advice

A-class above?

Thinking of trading up to an A-class, or even going straight to the top of the motorhome tree? We guide you along the way with the help of some experts…

I

T’S not hard to see the appeal. Just look at an A-class and you’ll see a vehicle that’s designed to be a motorhome, not a commercial vehicle that’s been adapted to a leisure role. None of the bodywork comes from a ‘mere builder’s van’.

Of course, underneath, most mainstream A-classes use the same Fiat Ducato underpinnings as their lesser coachbuilt equivalents. The van dashboard will be retained, too, although merged (with varying degrees of style and success) into a larger cab environment. So, is there really more to buying an A-class than keeping up with the campsite Joneses?

Now put yourself in the driving seat and imagine touring through the Alps with a widescreen windscreen allowing you to really take in the views.

That vision out of the vehicle can be just as important when parked up in a great location, too.

THE SPACE RACE

Drop-down bed is a key reason to buy, often giving you two proper bedroom areas

For any given vehicle length an A-class will feel larger than a comparable low-profile, the cab will seem more like an integral part of the living area and there will be more room to move around up front. Nick Barker, Sales Manager at Travelworld, refers to this as extra “elbow room” while Wokingham Motorhomes’ Adrian Prior also points out that the driving position in an A-class often gives better vision for drivers over 6ft.

Nick also talks about the advantage of having “two genuine sleeping areas” as almost all A-classes have a drop-down bed in the cab – the ultimate in

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| FEBRUARY 2020

his and hers bedrooms, perhaps, or perfect for touring with friends. Alistair Briggs-Price, Director of SMC Motorhomes (the sole UK dealer for Frankia), agrees, citing this being used when grandchildren come along on tour and pointing out that the bed “does not come down over the whole lounge as can be the case on steel cab low-profile models.” Nick says that 98% of customers want a drop-down bed in their A-class and, while some models can be ordered with cupboards instead, Alistair warns to keep an eye on resale if considering deleting the front bed. “A big A-class with only one fixed bed is not for everyone”, he cautions.

Martin Storey, UK Agent for Groupe Pilote, also points to the superiority of an A-class for winter use, with “better insulation properties” and “insulation of the cab area the same as the living area”. That could be a deciding factor if you want to camp all year round, even if your next trip isn’t going to be skiing in Switzerland. Interestingly, he also suggests better cab soundproofing as a further plus for A-class owners.

Choosing an A-class THE BIG ISSUE Of course, you’re probably thinking that all A-classes are big, but that’s not actually the case, with some models (including Pilote’s Galaxy G600 and Roller Team’s Pegaso 590) being just six metres long and others (including Hymer’s Exsis and Dethleffs’ Globebus) being slimmer than the norm.

Often, the more compact models have the dropdown bed in the cab as their main sleeping quarters and this type of layout remains sought after on the used market (with classic designs from Hymer and Rapido, in particular, being well worth looking out for). Pilote also states that its current six-metre models are still “extremely popular.”

So what’s the optimum size for an A-class? Nick, unsurprisingly perhaps, says, “Basically, the higher the price point, the more we sell in larger lengths.”

Adria’s Andy Taczynski also backs the ‘bigger is better’ angle, saying that the Slovenian company’s most popular A-class in the UK is the tag-axle Sonic Supreme 810 SC and adding, “if size isn’t a purchase consideration then A-class customers opt for the largest model available.”

However, Alistair tells us that both 7.5m and 8.5m have sold well at SMC, and Martin says the most popular size for Pilote A-classes is 7.4m as “this offers good space without being too long” and that this length can “lend itself to good payloads without exceeding standard licence certification (3,500kg).”

Adrian (at the UK’s oldest Rapido dealership) seems to agree, saying, “at 7.49m you get the best of all worlds” but he also suggests keeping an eye on more compact lengths and a trend towards 7m to 7.2m models, commenting that the best length is “as short as possible.”

Some models offer cupboards in the cab instead of a drop-down bed

LOOKING AT LAYOUTS Peruse the brochures and websites of A-class manufacturers and you’ll probably spot a leaning towards fixed single beds over a garage from German brands and island beds dominating in the

A-class full-width cab adds a feeling of space on site and you can enjoy great views out

Not all A-classes are huge – this Roller Team is just under six metres in length, shorter than a lot of van conversions

French marques’ line-ups. Unsurprisingly, as a Rapido dealer, Adrian points to island beds as top sellers, but Frankia (and Pilote) retailer, Alistair, says that twin bed models are number one at SMC. He adds that the desirability of particular models is constantly changing but the most appealing vehicles “currently and for the last five years [have been] fixed island beds and twin single beds.”

Up front, side settees are becoming a popular alternative to the classic half-dinette lounge, while another recent phenomenon in the A-class world has been the resurgence of the rear lounge. It’s a format that can work exceptionally well for couples seeking the ultimate in home-from-home comfort as the main bed will be the drop-down (sometimes arranged as singles or a lengthways double) and the lounge can remain undisturbed at the end of the day. We’ve also seen C-shaped rear lounge seating

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 13

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Buying advice

Liner class vehicles are the very top of the motorhoming tree, with lengths ranging from eight up to 12m

(with sofas that face in all four directions) join the classic U-shaped arrangements for even more comfort. These fashionable designs have hit the mark with buyers, too. Nick says, “rear lounge models like the Dethleffs Alpa and Hymer Duo are very popular,” while Alistair reports “good take-up on rear lounge with garage [layouts] at all lengths from Frankia.”

Interestingly, though, while these big rear lounge models are all priced well north of £100k, Travelworld has seen “strong growth in lower price point A-class models from Dethleffs and Carado.”

If, up until now, you’ve been looking at buying a brand-new low-profile, don’t necessarily think that you don’t have the funds for an A-class. French firm, Itineo, specialises in affordable A-class vehicles (prices around £60k) but it’s not alone at this price point – Carado, Etrusco, Roller Team and Sunlight all offer attractive A-class motorhomes that are more keenly priced than you might expect.

Some pundits reckon fixed singles are just as popular as island beds, or possibly even bigger sellers

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| FEBRUARY 2020

Another trend, says Alistair, is “all A-classes are becoming more automotive in their styling and the design of the nose cone over recent years. This is also true for in-cab features like navigation, climate control and cruise control, which are expected in the automotive world.”

We’d certainly agree that A-class styling has, in most cases, become more sophisticated, with the vehicles looking less boxy and more attractive. The choice now, in the 2020 season, of excellent, smooth-shifting, torque converter automatic gearboxes from both Fiat and Mercedes is another important factor for these often top-of-the-range models, while the Merc chassis adds another layer of automotive progress with its MBUX dashboard display and raft of safety systems.

Automotive-style spec with sat-nav, climate control, etc, is now quite commonplace

BEST OF THE BEST All A-class motorhomes should be amongst the best that their maker can offer, especially as they typically cost around £10-12k more than a similar low-profile

Island bed layouts are, perhaps, the top sellers in the A-class market

type. However, if buying used, we’d caution against vehicles where a manufacturer has dabbled in the sector and then pulled out. Likewise, it’s always good to see a long history of making A-class models (and selling in them in Britain) and there’s added reassurance in choosing one from a brand that specialises in this type. Alistair points out that “all A-class are not the same – check the details of build and spec, don’t just buy on bling, look for real substance, value for money and resale value.”

There are also added factors to consider when looking at an A-class, not least the driving position and visibility. Pillars that are poorly positioned or too thick, windscreen wipers that leave large areas of glass unswept and dashboard designs that make judging the front corners a worry, can all affect A-class models, even some from well-known brands.

Ideally, the dashboard will slope down towards the

Choosing an A-class ’screen, which will be tall for great vistas and have sunvisors that can easily be reached and adjusted, while bus-style mirrors should give a good view aft, aided and abetted by a reversing camera (maybe with more than one view). If in doubt, take a test drive, which will also highlight how rattly or rattle-free your potential purchase is on the road.

It might be worth asking about the cost of a replacement windscreen, too – and checking with your insurer that it won’t exceed policy limits. And talk to owners about their experiences with the model you’re considering, especially with regard to aftersales support.

Rear lounge designs from Carthago, Dethleffs and Frankia are all proving popular, while Mobilvetta and Rapido offer more affordable alternatives

FRENCH, GERMAN OR ITALIAN? With no official data available, it’s almost impossible to assess the size of the A-class market in Britain and few in the industry are even prepared to guesstimate – Alistair suggests it could be as big as the van conversion sector, while Andy puts it at “circa 5% of motorhomes” and Nick simply says it’s “50% of what we sell” but adds the caveat that Travelworld is unusual in its specialisation solely in German Erwin Hymer Group brands. There’s plenty of choice, though, from entry-level examples at around £60k new to liners from the likes of Concorde, Le Voyageur and Morelo at a quarter of a million pounds – or more! You can even get a liner A-class in which the garage is not for bikes but a full-sized car (usually a Smart or Fiat 500, though we’ve even seen Ferraris and Porsches).

Most of the large dealers will represent at least one builder of A-class motorhomes but a few dealers are specialists in this sector and will keep a wide selection on show – they will also have the necessary experience and workshop facilities for this end of the market.

None of the main UK manufacturers currently offers an A-class but almost all of the mainstream continental brands compete in this market and a

handful (Mobilvetta, Roller Team, and Morelo) even build models with the layouts reversed to suit the UK. For the rest, the cab door (if fitted) will be on the passenger’s side with right-hand drive and the habitation door will stay on the British offside.

Before you let that put you off, ask yourself if it will really make any difference to you on tour – after all, most A-classes still have a door on each side.

A more important issue could be payload, if you want a vehicle on a 3.5-tonne chassis – an A-class should have an extensive equipment list which might leave you with a fairly marginal carrying capacity. Equally, some vehicles (especially German ones) have lengthy options lists – great for building exactly the vehicle you’ve always dreamed of, but calculate carefully the costs (which can run into thousands) and the weight (even just adding an automatic gearbox and an awning could reduce your payload by more than 60kg). Most models will, however, offer chassis upgrades (sometimes

A-class windscreens should offer great visibility for the driver but check out the effectiveness of sunvisors and windscreen wipers

Garages for motorbikes are quite usual but the largest A-class liners can house a small car!

Side settee front lounges are proving a popular alternative to half-dinette layouts

resulting in huge payloads) as long as you have a C1 licence for driving a heavier vehicle.

If you want the ultimate motorhome, especially for longer term or all-season touring, it’s easy to argue the case for an A-class. Nick adds that “key advice is to buy if you need a four-berth motorhome or two proper sleeping areas.” Surprisingly, with many new A-classes sitting in the £80k to £100k price band, Alistair says at SMC they “increasingly see people coming straight in at the top level for their first motorhome.” It’s a view reinforced by Adrian at Wokingham, who says buyers should “buy the best first time around and not keep climbing the ladder and losing money.” If you are thinking of entering the motorhome market at this exalted level, it’s even more important to do your research. Keep reading then…

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 15

Adria Sonic Axess 600 SL

Adria Sonic Axess 600 SL Sub-7m models are a big part of Adria’s changes for 2020, including this new A-class

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Fiat Ducato PRICE FROM £70,995 BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 4 LENGTH 6.99m WIDTH 2.32m HEIGHT 2.96m GROSS WEIGHT 3,500kg (optional 4,400kg) PAYLOAD 494kg

ALSO CONSIDER Bürstner Ixeo I 690 G Dethleffs Pulse I 6811 EB

O

NE of the major themes of Adria’s new 2020-season range is the introduction of a number of (just) sub-seven-metre motorhomes, with the ‘600’ suffix. These include the latest, more compact A-class Sonic seen here.

This motorhome stands apart from the rest of the Sonic range not only in size but spec level. Adrias usually come in Axess, Plus and Supreme trim, but the larger A-classes are, appropriate to their flagship status, only available as Supremes. Here, though, is an Axess-spec Sonic, which brings the price down to a level that opens up a wider potential

audience, including those who perhaps thought that an A-class was out of their reach.

The final part of the model designation – the SL suffix – indicates a single-beds-overgarage floorplan (there are no other Sonic layouts at this size/price level in the UK). In common with others of its ilk, the beds are mounted high, with access via a couple of steps. Bed lengths are very generous, though, at 1.90m on the nearside and a super-sized 2.01m on the offside. There are also ratcheted supports to raise the head of each bed, so you can comfortably sit up without banging your head on the lockers above. USB ports and

reading lights are sited under the cupboards and there’s a small roof vent, as well as the typical central infill cushion between the beds (measuring 1.56m long here). A concertina screen (rather than a proper door) provides privacy for the rear bedroom, which could be important as there’s also a drop-down double in the cab.

Up front, the Aguti captain’s chairs swivel to make a very comfortable lounge for two or three people, or which can accommodate up to five at a push. It feels spacious, thanks to the A-class cab, while there are pillow-style backrest cushions along the narrow side

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New ’vans

WHO IS ADRIA? Adria commenced caravan construction in 1965, with motorhomes then following in 1982. In 2017, the Slovenian firm became the newest member of the Trigano Group.

The whole of the current range sold in the UK is based on the Fiat Ducato (although Adria has previously used Citroën, Mercedes and Renault chassis), but it is a comprehensive lineup starting with van conversions and encompassing low-profiles (with and without drop-down beds, as well as slimline models), overcab coachbuilts and A-classes (right up to tag-axles).

The brand has developed a strong reputation for practicality and quality, while innovative ideas have included slide-outs as well as today’s van conversions with overcab sunroofs.

BUY AN ADRIA FROM… Adria’s Scottish dealer is Struan Motors in Perth. In Northern Ireland the brand is represented

by Lisburn Caravans and, while there are no Welsh dealers, Dinmore Leisure in Leominster is not far from the border. The other English dealerships with the Slovenian motorhome franchise are: Signature Motorhomes & Leisure (Lancashire) representing the north, four outlets – Geoff Cox Leisure (Derby), Brownhills (Newark), The Motorhome Depot (Redditch), CentraLeisure (Oxfordshire) – covering the Midlands, then Marquis Surrey for the southeast, and Howards Motorhomes (Taunton), Chelston (Wellington) and Highbridge Caravan Centre (Devon) representing the west country, while East Anglia’s dealer is Becks in Norfolk.

section of the L-settee. However, the unusual feature is a flip-up jump seat by the door – which isn’t blocked because this is an extrawide entrance.

The example photographed was to continental-spec, so lacking the oven/grill of UK-bound models – some of the huge drawer space here will be lost to accommodate that.

You’ll still appreciate the high-quality softclose mechanisms, though, and the push-toopen operation of the stylish concave top cupboards. The L-shaped sink/hob unit frees up useful worktop space and there’s a tall 142-

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| FEBRUARY 2020

litre fridge/freezer with automatic energy selection alongside. A TV bracket is fitted in the cupboard over the fridge but you won’t be able to watch The One Show if the chef is hard at work.

There’s more successful space utilisation in the washroom, where an XL-sized shower cubicle has two diagonally opposing drains.

Behind the swivel toilet is an opening window but the washbasin is hidden behind a mirror – until it folds down above the loo.

Of course, one of the key reasons to buy here will be the garage with its generous

1.18m maximum internal headroom. Adria has focused attention on upgrading its garages across the range this year and here you’ll find 12V, 230V and USB sockets, as well as fixed tie-down points, LED strip lights on the back wall and drains in the floor. The Sonic also has nearly 500kg of payload – much more if you uprate the chassis.

Here, then, is an A-class that can be realistically used in 3,500kg form (unlike so many rivals) and also seems well-built and well-priced. It could be an ideal ’van for your first venture into A-class ownership.

Choose from 5 award winning models from Bilbo’s.

Talk to us about converting your van.

Phone: 01342 892499 to learn more.

The UK’s largest VW Campervan specialist.

Building quality award winning campervans for over 40 years

Space

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To ind out more about Bilbo’s & book a test drive, contact: Bilbo’s, Eastbourne Road, South Godstone, Surrey RH9 8JQ. Tel: +44 (0) 1342 892499 (Monday to Saturday) • • • • •

We buy well looked after Bilbo campers Competitive finance available subject to status Excellent range of fully prepared pre-owned vehicles Vehicles in good condition considered for part exchange Largest stock of New and Pre-owned VW campervans in UK

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All Bilbo’s campervans are Euro 6 compatible, NSSTA Type-Approved, NCC approved and are built by our skilled British craftsman in our purpose built factory with build quality guaranteed through our ISO 9001 accreditation. Bilbo’s retain the right to alter specification and prices without prior notice.

AN ERWIN HYMER GROUP COMPANY

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Carado I338 Clever

Carado I338 Clever Available as a low-profile or an A-class, the 338 layout is a new addition for the 2020 season

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Fiat Ducato PRICE FROM £58,929 BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 4 LENGTH 6.98m WIDTH 2.32m HEIGHT 2.93m GROSS WEIGHT 3,500kg (optional 3,650kg) PAYLOAD 549kg

ALSO CONSIDER Itineo JB700 Sunlight I 67 S

C

ARADO doesn’t introduce new layouts on whim or fashion; its business model is based on mass production of only the top-selling layouts with appeal right across Europe. But it has introduced a new floorplan for 2020, reflecting an increasing demand for sub-seven-metre motorhomes. It already had the 339 model in its range for those seeking a more compact island bed design; now there’s a single bed model in the 7m class, too. Available as a T338 low-profile or an I338 A-class, the latter has already proved its worth by being Carado’s best seller at the 2019 Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf.

There are also some minor evolutions to be seen here, including standard flush-fitting habitation area windows (which are not only more expensive to buy but require more production line time to fit). They certainly help to avoid a budget-priced look.

Inside, there are new flatter ceiling lamps and reading lights with integrated USBs in the bedroom, while a new splashback panel frames the kitchen window. So, it’s not a case of reinventing the wheel – or the motorhome – but gradually improving it.

There’s plenty to like to begin with, starting with a sub-£60,000 price tag where few

manufacturers offer any A-class competition.

Quality exceeds your expectations at that price, too, with details like the aluminium (not plastic) frame for the flyscreen on the door being just one example.

It’s a surprisingly spacious-feeling vehicle, too, thanks not only to the full-width cab and super-sized windscreen of any A-class, but also a line of sight right along the nearside from the cab to the inside of the back wall in the bedroom. That has been made possible by putting the ablutions facilities on the offside and keeping the wardrobe (on the nearside) relatively low. There is no floor-to-ceiling

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New ’vans

BUY A CARADO FROM… Emm-Bee (at Bury in Lancashire) is the furthest north of Carado’s UK dealers, while Southdowns (Portsmouth) is the southernmost outlet. In between you’ll find Camper UK (Lincoln), Travelworld (Stafford) and Heart of England (Northants), while Chelston Motorhomes is the destination for Carado buyers in the southwest. There are no dealers currently in Ireland or Scotland.

WHO IS CARADO?

In 2005 Capron was established as a joint venture between Hymer and Dethleffs to build entry-level motorhomes and in November 2006 production began in a former agricultural machinery factory in the old East Germany. In 2009 the base vehicles switched from Ford to Fiat and in 2016 production of caravans was stopped in order to focus on motorhomes.

Today, Carado (like its sister brand, Sunlight, which is designed to embody a slightly more youthful feel in its furniture, graphics, etc, but otherwise offers the same designs) has a range of van conversions, overcab and low-profile coachbuilts and A-classes covering the most popular continental layouts. All Carado and Sunlight vehicles are now built at Capron.

Changes from season to season are minor and new models relatively rare.

furniture at all down the left-hand side of this new layout.

Of course, the kitchen is positioned on this side, but with the 167-litre fridge opposite. It’s the typical L-shape design of galley but with a low-mounted Thetford Duplex oven/grill in addition to the three-burner hob with an optional Dometic cooker hood above.

Galley storage is provided in one large drawer and a generous cupboard, which includes a waste bin. Alongside is the modestly sized wardrobe, which, because it’s not too tall, also adds a bit of extra kitchen worktop

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| FEBRUARY 2020

– and yet still manages a useful 880mm hanging height.

Beyond the kitchen, the beds measure 1.97m on the galley side and 10cm less on the offside. There’s just a curtain for privacy and a small rooflight for ventilation but the centre section of mattress (between the twin beds) extends with a slide-out section that runs the full length of the beds – thus creating an absolutely huge 2.11m by 1.87m bed with a ladder to reach it.

In fact, that’s just one aspect of the Clever Pack that also adds the All-in-One Pack (roll-

out awning, bike rack, 22in TV and satellite dish) and second garage door (leading into a space 1.18m high and 1.00m wide). Standard UK spec on Carado A-classes already includes the Basic Pack and Chassis Pack, so you get a 140bhp engine, carpets, and gas/electric Combi 6 heating.

For once, this is a German A-class that needs neither very deep pockets for its purchase nor extensive studying of pages of options. Almost everything is standard and, while the looks might be a bit boxy for some tastes, the value for money is unarguable.

New ’vans

Carthago E-line I 50 LE Carthago and Mercedes-Benz seems like a very suitable marriage if you’re spending £160k

I

GNORE the £119,470 list price. Like most ’vans at this level, that’s just the starting point. From there you need to consider a whole host of options and packs, on both the chassis and living area.

On the Benz base, this show model featured £1,500worth of 177bhp engine upgrade and £2,375 of ninespeed automatic gearbox. It’s worth noting, though, that reinforced front springs, a wide-gauge front axle, two airbags, Crosswind Assist, Hill Holder, ESP and keyless starting are all standard.

The big expenses are from Carthago, including £2,775 for the Silverline coloured exterior, the 32in TV at £1,470, £2,775 for ivory leather and £8,600 for the all-encompassing (and essential) Super Pack. In total, this show ’van carried a £164,060 price tag – not uncompetitive, just a long way from the entry figure.

For that you get a front-wheel drive Mercedes with Al-Ko chassis and 4.5-tonne gross weight (a 5-tonne tagaxle version is another £7k). It’s a GRP outer shell for the body with RTM hard foam insulating core and 10-year water ingress warranty. There’s massive, heated double floor storage (up to 70cm deep) and a central throughloading space and a garage that can take up to 450kg (internal height is 1.12m). Just inside the entrance, a trapdoor reveals a place to keep your walking boots and wellies, while there’s a slide-out shoe rack under the sofa.

Inside, this is the single bed layout (51 QB – for ‘queen’s bed’ is the alternative) and the shortest of the Merc-based models. The bedroom features two beds, each over 2m

long and with mattresses on plastic springs for extra comfort. If you extend the section in between the beds then the steps slide forward, too, so there’s no need for a ladder. A TV locker at the foot of the offside bed can house a 24in screen and there are very large wardrobes under the foot of each bed, plus a third wardrobe (with upper and lower hanging rails) next to the toilet.

The ablutions are split across the vehicle, with the nearside shower featuring a brick-style wall finish and both a rain shower and a conventional spray. Opposite, the multi-mirrored toilet room is typically Carthago.

The Corian worktop kitchen is as stylish as you’d expect with a slide-out unit that reveals a bottle rack and two bins. There are a further six drawers, too – unless you order the new low-mounted oven option developed for the UK – this German-market ’van had the less practical high oven, over the fridge/freezer. The latter has 153 litres of capacity and doors that open from either side.

The front lounge’s TV hides away behind the offside sofa, while the stylish circular table is moved around by operating a foot pedal. ‘Ship’s clock’ gauges below the cab’s drop-down bed add more class, but it’s the extra driving visibility offered by the sloping dashboard that’s key – Merc-based A-classes often offer inferior driver vision compared with Fiat chassis’d models.

We could go on to talk about the double-glazed cab windows, additional in-cab heating, Alde warm water gas/230V heating system, 235-litre inboard fresh water tank, twin 80Ah leisure batteries, etc, etc.

BUY A CARTHAGO FROM… Carthago may be a premium brand but it is well represented by a network of English dealers.

In the northwest it’s E S Hartley (Cumbria) that has the franchise, while Premium Motorhomes (Doncaster) covers Yorkshire and Camper UK (Lincoln) and Go European (Staffordshire) are the Midlands retailers. In the south, from west to east, are Chelston Motorhomes (Somerset), Southdowns Motorhome Centre (Hampshire) and JC Leisure (East Sussex).

In Wales, 3 A’s Leisure is the Carthago dealer, while in Ireland Carthago vehicles can be found at Donaghey Motorhomes in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

Across the Continent you’ll find Carthago dealers from the very top of Norway down to Portugal and even Sicily, so you should be able to solve any issues arising on your grand tour.

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| FEBRUARY 2020

Carthago E-line I 50 LE

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Mercedes Sprinter Al-Ko (FWD) PRICE FROM ÂŁ119,470 BERTHS 4/5 TRAVEL SEATS 4/5 LENGTH 8.05m WIDTH 2.27m HEIGHT 3.10m GROSS WEIGHT 4,500kg PAYLOAD 725kg

ALSO CONSIDER Hymer B-Class MasterLine 780

WHO IS CARTHAGO?

Carthago is a German manufacturer best known today for its A-class motorhomes.

However, the range also includes low-profile models and it also owns sub-brand, Malibu, which includes van conversions in its portfolio. Carthago’s headquarters are in Aulendorf in Upper Swabia, where E-line and S-plus flagship models are made. The rest of the range is built in Odranci, Slovenia.

Founded in 1979, the company has grown from three employees making VW campers in the mid-80s to 1,400 staff producing a range of 87 different models. It remains an independent family-run business, with the addition of new Mercedes-based models (alongside Fiat and Iveco chassis) being the latest development. It has manufactured A-class motorhomes since the early 2000s and by 2011 had already made 1,500 examples of its popular Chic C-line vehicles.

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 25

Eura Mobil Integra Line 650 HS

Eura Mobil Integra Line 650 HS If a major British manufacturer made an A-class it would probably look a lot like this…

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Fiat Ducato PRICE FROM £72,995 BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 2/4 LENGTH 6.50m WIDTH 2.32m HEIGHT 2.88m GROSS WEIGHT 3,500kg (options of 3,650kg, 4,250kg or 4,400kg) PAYLOAD 565kg (standard spec)

ALSO CONSIDER Rapido 8094dF Roller Team Pegaso 745

F

OR the 2019 season Eura Mobil introduced a new generation of 3.5-tonne A-class models called Integra Line. Taking styling cues from the flagship Integra range, its baby brother was designed to be instantly recognisable as a product of this long-established brand.

Floorplans were inherited directly from the Profila RS low-profile line-up.

On the outside the quad headlights are optionally available as high-powered LED units which emit around 30% more light, while the L-shaped tail lights draw inspiration from sister Integra. Habitation windows are of the framed, flush-fitting type.

As a premium model, the Integra Line also comes with an electrically operated waste water drain valve (the tank itself is in an insulated and heated tray) and the option of powered raising/lowering for the cab’s drop-down bed.

Furniture comes with a choice of the wild oak grain of the Chalet look or a darker, high-gloss finish. Bodywork is subject to a 10-year guarantee against superstructure leaks and there’s a three-year warranty on the furniture.

Walls are wood-free and cabinetwork construction includes aluminium profile reinforcement.

Now, for the 2020 season, the Integra Line

gets a more compact, 6.5m model for the first time. Unusually, this is a rear lounge layout – something that has long been offered in Eura Mobil’s portfolio. And the timing couldn’t be better, with rivals from Bürstner, Rapido and Roller Team being around a metre longer and Hymer’s DuoMobil having been discontinued.

Despite its compact size for an A-class, the 650 HS feels spacious. It also boasts the sort of wrap-around seating previously only seen in much larger ’vans (like the Carthago Linerfor-two) where the sofa stretches not just from the nearside along the back wall and around the offside but also incorporates a rear-facing

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 27

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New ’vans

BUY A EURA MOBIL FROM… The sole Eura Mobil dealer for the UK is Geoff Cox Leisure, near Derby, where you’ll see these German motorhomes alongside vehicles from Adria and Sun Living.

WHO IS EURA MOBIL?

The history of Eura Mobil starts with the formation of Blessing Caravans in 1959. The Eura Mobil name was adopted in 1983 and the company has been building A-class motorhomes since 1996. It acquired the KarmannMobil brand (famed for its VW-based coachbuilts) in 2000 and became part of the French Trigano Group in 2005.

In the UK, its tag-axle Activa and Integra models had a strong following between 1999 and 2005, but then the brand disappeared from our shores before being reintroduced by Geoff Cox Leisure, near Derby.

Today, this German maker offers lowprofile and overcab coachbuilts, as well as A-classes. Both Fiat and Mercedes chassis are used and vehicles range from 5.89m (in the Activa One) to 8.99m (in the flagship Integra A-class).

section, too. With windows on three sides and a typically German fixed pedestal table, there should be room for four or five people to dine.

Between the lounge and the galley, facing rearwards, is a slide-away TV position – a 32in screen is available as part of the MultiMedia Pack.

There’s externally accessed storage under the rear seating, too, and, although this low-level area isn’t a garage-like space, it will accommodate compact outdoor tables and chairs and can be loaded from either side. There’s more stowage capacity in the heated double floor as well.

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| FEBRUARY 2020

While longer end lounge models offer extra travel seats up front, the compact Eura Mobil has optional third and fourth belted positions in the rear. These are made possible by the seatbelt anchoring frames with aluminium profiles inside the walls. No storage is lost when the extra travel seats are specified but sitting so far back, with reduced forward visibility, suggests these seats will be for those only requiring occasional passenger-carrying potential.

The main bed is the drop-down one in the cab (1.85m by 1.50m – manufacturer’s figures),

while the rear lounge converts into a second bed (2.00m by 1.40m).

The kitchen has an unusual curved front and plentiful worktop in front of the burners-inline hob. Opposite is a tall ‘n’ slim 140-litre fridge. Then, on the nearside, is the washroom with a semi-separate shower that’s made more spacious by deploying the swivel washbasin.

With its high spec and full winterisation, plus 6.5m length and rear lounge, this newcomer has a rare mix of talents. It’s also well-placed to take advantage of the lack of British-built rivals.

THE NEW INTEGRA LINE 650 HS REAR LOUNGE A CLASS The Eura Mobil Integra Line range ofers premium travel comfort in a compact format. Due to a total height of just 2.88 metres and a short, clear cab, these liners are particularly easy to handle. But despite their compact design, these motorhomes ofer high-quality features such as two tone furniture, heated double loors, full winterisation and a durable body made of GRP using state of the art aviation technology.

Price from: Dimensions: Weight:

Exclusive UK Speciication: Designer Package Integra Line LED Headlights, LED Indicator and Fog Lights, Radiator Grille In Chrome, Rear Bumper with Chrome Appliqués.

£79,995 L: 6.5M W 2.3M H: 2.9M 3500 kgs*

Base Vehicle:

FIAT 2.3 160 BHP

Berth:

4 Berth and 4 Seatbelts

Prestige Pack - Cab Climate Control, Sat Nav, DAB radio Twin Rear View Camera Gas BBQ, Awning, External Shower

T: 01332 781562 W: www.geoffcox.co.uk Derby Road | Marehay | Derbyshire | DE5 8JN

Manual or Automatic

NO CONTRACTUAL PICTURES - www.agence-connivence.fr

S, M, L...

Our 640 best-seller is now available in 3 sizes…

Choose yours!

An advance journey

640 is alone in consumer success having received multiple awards across all European markets.

We offer now its concept in your favourite size…

- under 6 m, 520 is the only one this size to offer face-to-face lounge!

- under 6,40 m, 650 is the only one to propose on top of that a dressing and a garage!

- under 7 m, 640, offers every feature and more: maxi lounge, large kitchen, big fridge, spacious bathroom, 160 cm width bedding and a wide garage!

The choice is yours...

360°, videos and details on www.motorhomes-chausson.co.uk

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Frankia Platin I7900 Plus

Frankia Platin I7900 Plus A new Mercedes-based rear lounge motorhome from this premium German manufacturer

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Mercedes Sprinter RWD PRICE FROM £158,300 BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 2 (4 opt) LENGTH 8.14m WIDTH 2.30m HEIGHT 3.23m GROSS WEIGHT 5,500kg PAYLOAD 986kg

ALSO CONSIDER Carthago Liner-for-two I 53 L Concorde Carver 791 RL Dethleffs Alpa I 7820-2

F

OR the 2020 season, Frankia has extended its range of rear lounge A-class models, with two Platin models on the Mercedes chassis. There are two lengths, 8.58m and 8.14m.

The longer 8400 gets a C-shaped rear lounge and larger kitchen, but both essentially have much the same layout.

The washroom sits behind the cab, while the kitchen straddles the corridor ahead of a lounge at the rear. There is a large garage below the lounge.

The cab, with a door and step for easier access, offers the 10.25in MBUX multimedia system as standard. The seats also swivel, allowing this to

be used as a small lounge area with units behind that can act as coffee tables. One of these has slide-out storage as well as sliding steps for the bed. The bed itself lowers electrically.

The washroom has a shower compartment opposite the toilet cubicle. It can be completely shut off from the bed area, thanks to a sliding panel, while the toilet room door can be swung across to close off this space from the rear. The shower has a glass door, along with twin drains and is lit by modern LEDs in the roof and on the contrasting black panel.

The toilet is a sensible height and sits next to a square basin with a domestic push-to-

close drain. There is a metal tap and glass soap dispenser. It is things like the metal tap that set this motorhome apart, while the presence of a radiator here indicates the heating is the Alde ‘wet’ radiator type. Practical features include a bin attached to the door of the under-basin locker, a power socket with cover, plus a locker above that is shelved and offers another power socket.

The central kitchen has a full cooker (part of the UK Pack). This replaces some of the drawers, but there are still drawers below the sink. The sink also gets a pop-out worktop and a cover that slides into a slot to make extra preparation space.

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New ’vans

BUY A FRANKIA FROM… SMC Motorhomes in Newark is the sole UK dealer for Frankia motorhomes. This is a family-run business with a wide range of brands (AutoSleepers, Globecar, Knaus and Pilote, as well as Frankia) and its own comprehensive on-site workshops including an experienced insurance approved bodyshop.

WHO IS FRANKIA?

This luxury German motorhome manufacturer was established in 1960 and puts customers’ needs at the heart of its designs. Primarily known for making large premium A-classes (mostly in the eight to nine-metre category), the company does also offer a range of top-quality low-profiles, overcabs and now van conversions, with the launch of the Yucon this year, which it calls its microliner. Also new this year is the 3,500kg front-wheel drive Mercedes Neo low-profile.

Frankia has been part of the French Pilote Group since 1990 and now employs 230 people, making 670 motorhomes per year. It was one of the first makers to offer a double floor (from 1995) which has long been a feature of all Frankia motorhomes.

There are now 48 different chassis/ floorplan options in the range.

The tap pulls out (á la designer kitchen) for greater flexibility when rinsing pots, etc.

Above here, there are two lockers, plus an open shelf adjacent to a USB and mains socket – this is where the optional coffee machine will sit (also part of the UK Pack).

Opposite the kitchen, there is a floor-toceiling wardrobe with three shelves that can be removed and two hanging rails. A tall fridge/ freezer has a door that can be opened from either side and there’s an oven above – if you opt for the cooker in the UK pack, this oven is replaced by a microwave. There’s further

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storage in the form of a half-height sliding pantry to the left of the fridge.

The rest of the space is taken up with a sumptuous U-shaped lounge. There is a big pedestal-leg table, although there are other options available if you don’t want this item.

Below the seats you’ll find optional fold-out travel seats. The lounge makes into a large double or you could order the optional dropdown bed here instead.

This is no basic model that you have to add lots of packs to, either. Standard equipment includes the 190bhp engine with seven-speed

automatic gearbox, as well as various safety systems (traction control, EBD, ESP and Hill Hold). Drivers also get semi-automatic climate control, cruise control, auxiliary heating, leather steering wheel, LED main beam and indicators. This high spec stretches to the living area, too, with a package of electrical items that even includes two of the latest 110Ah lithium ferrous batteries.

So, it’s a big motorhome that doesn’t compromise on space or equipment. But it also makes the process of buying a luxury A-class so much easier, without endless options to confuse you.

3160

EXPERIENCE LUXURY & FREEDOM Frankia are renowned for their attention to detail, inventive ideas and practical solutions that make your holiday travels an even more comfortable experience. Combined with large selection of layouts including a choice of rear lounge options.

A-CLASS LOW-PROFILE COACHBUILT

www.smcmotorhomes.co.uk

New ’vans

Hymer B-MC I 600 WhiteLine This special edition comes with over £24k-worth of options as standard

W

E all like something for nothing, even if spending almost £100k on a luxury leisure vehicle. That’s the promise with the WhiteLine. This 600 model comes with £24,390-worth of options when compared with a standard B-Class ModernComfort but offers a £6,950 saving against list price of such a fully loaded vehicle. So, here’s a Hymer with a huge spec, but only for a limited production run.

You’ll spot the WhiteLine by its Carrara white exterior, special graphics and 16in black alloy wheels.

As a B-MC model, it sits on a front-wheel drive Merc cab with Hymer’s lightweight SLC chassis and benefits from the German maker’s 100% wood-free construction, a GRP floor and PUAL bodyshell.

WhiteLines come as standard with the 177bhp engine (exclusive to the motorhome market) and the latest 9G nine-speed automatic transmission. It also benefits from the 10.25in MBUX display, keyless starting, automatic headlights, Distronic adaptive cruise control, Crosswind Assist, reversing camera, semi-automatic air-con and a reinforced front axle. A 3,500kg gross weight is listed as standard but this version has a very limited payload – upgrade to 4.5 tonnes and you’ve got a well over a tonne. Then you can start to take advantage of double-floor storage (up to 360mm deep) and the generous 180-litre fresh water tank, which is ideal for independence from sites.

Equally well-suited to long-term tours is the spacious rear garage with two full-sized loading doors, 1.32m

internal height and huge 350kg maximum capacity.

Inside, there’s a classic L-settee lounge with Dalana half-leather upholstery, swivel captain’s chairs and single side-facing seat. A flat floor from the cab through to the rear bedroom adds convenience but the most noticeable feature is the 32in LED TV which locks into its stored position on its side. Release it via a cupboard-style catch and rotate the screen, then tune in via the Oyster Cytrac Vision satellite system – another standard feature.

There are two drawers – absolutely huge ones – below the kitchen sink, while the galley also comes with a UK-style cooker with separate grill and oven. The 142-litre Thetford fridge is alongside, while three 230V sockets and two USBs sit at the back of the galley.

The bathroom is an all-in-one unit that includes a good-sized separate shower and two very large mirrors – WhiteLine owners have no excuse for not looking their best! Washroom details include neat recesses for gels, etc, in the shower, while the door clicks shut, emphasising the impressive build quality here.

The 600 layout’s key aspect is the rear bedroom with single beds – 1.90m long on the nearside and 1.83m on the offside, where a hanging rail is mounted over the foot of the bed (there’s an enclosed wardrobe too, under the offside single bed). You can also sleep in a vast 2.07m by 1.70m (almost super king size) bed by deploying an infill between the twin beds, in which case access is by a very clever system of pull-out steps.

WHO IS HYMER?

With a history going back to 1957, Hymer is probably the only European motorhome brand that can claim to be a household name. A Hymer campervan (based on a Borgward van) debuted in 1961 and motorhome production began a decade later. Innovative drop-down beds appeared in 1976 and by 2014 the company had already produced 150,000 motorhomes. Key vehicles in the company’s history can be seen at the Erwin Hymer Museum in Bad Waldsee, just down the road from the factory.

Today, of course, the Erwin Hymer Group also includes the Bürstner, Carado, Compass, Dethleffs, Elddis, Etrusco, Niesmann + Bischoff, Laika and Sunlight brands. EHG has over 7,000 employees.

In 2018 the group was bought by American RV giant, Thor Industries, creating a truly global leisure vehicle empire.

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Hymer B-MC I 600 WhiteLine

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Mercedes Sprinter (FWD) PRICE FROM £94,350 BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 4 LENGTH 7.19m WIDTH 2.29m HEIGHT 2.96m GROSS WEIGHT 3,500kg (optional 4,500kg) PAYLOAD 215kg (optional 1,215kg)

ALSO CONSIDER Rapido M66

BUY A HYMER FROM… Hymer has established a nationwide dealer network, ranging from Knowepark Caravans in Scotland down to Premier Motorhomes & Leisure and Southdowns Motorhome Centre on the south coast.

Other outlets are Lowdhams (at both Huddersfield and Nottingham), Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld (Stafford), Becks Motorhomes (Norfolk), Cranham Leisure Sales (Essex) and Highbridge Caravan Centre (Somerset).

Of course, as one of Europe’s premier motorhome marques, Hymer has retailers all over – from Russia to Portugal, as well as worldwide.

The EHG group as a whole boasts over 1,200 dealers.

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 35

New ’vans

Hymer Exsis-i 580 The slimline A-class gets a new interior look and a Fiat low-frame chassis

T

HE Exsis has been around in its current form since 2012, extolling the virtues of a slimmer A-class (2.22m overall) and introducing Hymers to a wider audience as the entry-level line, as well as offering realistic payloads combined with a 3.5-tonne gross weight. For 2020, though, there’s a new model in the range – the 580.

It’s based on Fiat’s own low-frame chassis with wide rear track (rather than the Al-Ko chassis of other Exsis models), thus helping to reduce the list price by over £3,500. Of course, it also benefits from the latest Euro 6d engines (120bhp is standard) and the option of the nine-speed automatic gearbox. New assistance systems include Full Brake Function (FBC), Blind Spot Assist (BSA) and High Beam Recognition.

Also changed this season is the furniture, which brings the Exsis’ design up to date with its Sauvignon Oak finish. This is a younger-looking Hymer, as well as one that boasts 1.98m headroom (despite a low overall height of 2.77m). There are new features, too, such as the recess in the washroom wall (behind the halfdinette) that’s designed to accommodate a 32in TV. Naturally, the Exsis has the Hymer family look on the outside, in addition to PUAL 2.0 construction that’s 100% wood-free and suffers no thermal bridges.

On site there’s L-shaped seating facing the door as you enter, plus the Aguti swivel captain’s chairs. The Fiat dashboard is neatly integrated into the wider A-class cab, with a switch for the step alongside the driver, while the

drop-down bed above demonstrates Hymer’s decades of A-class-building experience with its slick operation. A step in the lounge floor ensures a comfortable sitting height for all, while a deep window in the door and windup sunroof stop the area seeming gloomy.

The angled kitchen ensures a wide walkway through to the rear, while four soft-close drawers are each labelled ‘max 15kg’ – how German. But there’s also a full cooker here with separate grill and oven – very British. And the décor mixes white high gloss with lots of grey and elements of pale wood – very contemporary.

A 142-litre tall/slim fridge completes the galley spec.

The layout at the rear focuses on twin beds. These are 1.88m and 1.90m long and the previous overhead lockers have been deleted, making it easier to sit up in bed. The multi-zone cold foam mattresses are on top of a membrane layer, which is lighter than slats but still adds comfort. Under the bedroom is a garage with 1.19m headroom and carrying capacity of 350kg, while a massive wardrobe is located under the offside bed (there’s a second wardrobe next to the fridge).

Finally, there’s a one-piece washroom on the nearside with shower doors that pull around on a track in the ceiling rather than just unfolding. The shower tray with twin drains and neat storage cupboards with elasticated straps are further pluses of an excellent washroom.

If the only thing that’s stopped you buying a Hymer A-class previously has been rather conservative design, the new Exsis-i 580 is for you.

WHO IS HYMER?

Hymer is a German motorhome brand that has been represented in the UK longer than any of its compatriots.

Famous for its B-Class models (which, confusingly, are A-class, or fully integrated, motorhomes), the latest range includes three categories of models (as well as a separate campervan range which used to be known as HymerCar).

The Comfort Plus Class models are Exsis-t and Exsis-i, plus the Mercedesbased T-Class S low-profiles. Next up is the Superior Class of ML-T (rear-wheel drive Merc low-profiles) and B-Class ModernComfort (B-MC, for short). Then, at the top of the tree, are the Luxury Class ’vans – B-Class SupremeLine (B-SL) and the latest addition, the MasterLine (B-ML).

Hymer is just one marque within the huge Erwin Hymer Group, which in turn is now owned by Thor Industries in America.

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Hymer Exsis-i 580

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Fiat Ducato PRICE FROM £66,980 BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 4 LENGTH 6.99m WIDTH 2.22m HEIGHT 2.77m GROSS WEIGHT 3,500kg (optional 4,250kg) PAYLOAD 570kg

ALSO CONSIDER Dethleffs Globebus I 6 Knaus Van I 650 MEG

BUY A HYMER FROM… Hymer has established a nationwide dealer network, ranging from Knowepark Caravans in Scotland down to Premier Motorhomes & Leisure and Southdowns Motorhome Centre on the south coast.

Other outlets are Lowdhams (at both Huddersfield and Nottingham), Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld (Stafford), Becks Motorhomes (Norfolk), Cranham Leisure Sales (Essex), and Highbridge Caravan Centre (Somerset).

Of course, as one of Europe’s premier motorhome marques, Hymer has retailers all over – from Russia to Portugal, as well as worldwide. The EHG group as a whole boasts over 1,200 dealers.

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 37

We are proud to announce that we have been appointed as the UK’s latest Dealer

Business Address: 65/67 Pontefract Road, Barnsley S71 1HA Tel: 01226 293300 Website: www.oakwellmotorhomes.com Email: sales@oakwellmotorhomes.com

Opening times Mon-Fri: 9-5pm Sat: 10-4pm Sunday closed

Itineo RC740

Itineo RC740 An A-class with a transverse island bed and a huge garage is a unique combination

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Fiat Ducato PRICE FROM £60,900 BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 4 LENGTH 7.43m WIDTH 2.35m HEIGHT 2.94m GROSS WEIGHT 3,500kg PAYLOAD 401kg

ALSO CONSIDER No direct rivals

F

ANCY lying back in bed, the top section of mattress at a comfortable reclined angle, facing a huge screen served by an LED projector? Well, that’s exactly what the new Itineo RC740 can offer.

This is the latest A-class from a company that specialises almost wholly in the type and yet also focuses on the more affordable, mainstream part of the market. And it’s a layout that you’ll not find elsewhere in the A-class sector.

Sister brand, Rapido, (along with other continental brands) dabbled with transverse island bed layouts in A-class motorhomes, but found that buyers were put off by a lack of

storage. Today, all brands have settled on lengthways beds instead, with many offering height adjustment to increase storage below.

Itineo, often an innovator, however, has come up with something new.

Not only does the RC740 have a transverse bed (and that optional electric remote control projector screen), but there’s a huge amount of bedroom storage, plus a garage under the wardrobes that stretch across the rear wall.

On the offside there’s a full-height loading door, as well as an area of floor-to-ceiling storage, while a small second door is fitted on

the nearside and there’s 1.20m headroom in the main stowage space. A GRP floor with drain hole is a practical touch, while load carrying here is limited to 150kg.

Back inside, the rear bed measures 1.88m by 1.41m and there’s enough room to get around the foot of the bed even when the mattress is extended flat. Beyond the bed, the wardrobe space is vast and includes two drawers, two

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 39

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New ’vans

BUY AN ITINEO FROM… Itineo has representatives in both Scotland (Dicksons of Perth) and Northern Ireland (Thompson Leisure in County Down). The French maker also has three dealers in England: long-established Rapido Group retailer, Wokingham Motorhomes in the south; Brownhills’ mega site in the Midlands; and, newest addition to the network, Oakwell Motorhomes in Barnsley.

WHO IS ITINEO?

Founded in 2007 as part of the Rapido Group, Itineo was established as an A-class specialist from the outset. Today, its 10 models are all built at the parent company’s impressive Mayenne plant, but it also markets a pair of entry-level low-profiles on the Continent (which are built in Italy at the PLA factory and not sold here). Emphasing the family link, 2020 models are badged ‘by Rapido’.

The A-class range starts with the 6.55m-long FC650 and includes three 6.99m models, with the remainder being 7.43m overall. Family layouts are a key part of the range with two bunk bed layouts being popular in the line-up.

mirror-fronted doors and a hanging rail 75cm long with a drop of 99cm.

It’s also possible to turn the whole of the back of the motorhome into a spacious en suite bedroom by opening the shower cubicle door across the aisle. It’s a good-sized shower with twin drain holes, useful recesses for gels, etc, a drying rail and tiny roof vent. Opposite, by the foot of the bed, is the toilet room, concealed behind a tambour door. Here there’s a stylish new basin, lots of storage, useful worktop space and even the superior Dometic loo (with plenty of shoulder room when you’re sat down).

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Up front, the lounge might be compact but it is surprisingly comfortable, thanks to an ideal seat height, a table that folds in half, fitted armrests and there being no step between the cab and the lounge. Of course, the wide cab and panoramic windscreen help, too, while a new simplified conversion process for the changeover from settees to forward-facing travel seats is another plus for 2020 Itineos.

The floorplan is completed by the typical continental galley in an L-shape with the 142litre Thetford fridge/freezer opposite. The three drawers come with soft-closing and central

locking, a slot-in panel adds extra worktop and there’s an illuminated trim section with the Itineo logo. It looks smart but you’ll want to consider the optional three-burner hob (instead of the standard two rings) and oven/grill if you like cooking.

Other options include the essential Pack Life, which adds cab air-con, cruise control, a Pioneer radio, reversing camera, electric step, flyscreen door and more. You might want to add alloys, carpets, and the gas/230V Combi 6EH heater upgrade, too, but the standard 140bhp engine should be adequate for this 3.5-tonne ’van.

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New ’vans

Knaus Live I 700 MEG This highly regarded German brand has launched a new entry-level A-class, starting at under £70k

S

OME ’vans shout ‘entry-level’ before you’ve even felt the upholstery or opened a cupboard door.

Others manage to exude top-notch quality but carry an eye-watering price to match. Happily, the Knaus Live I – an all-new range of just two models this season – treads a path that combines a surprisingly keen cost with a look that belies its relative affordability.

Of course, £70k is a lot of cash, but it’s pretty much the starting point for a decently equipped A-class in 2020. And the Live I certainly doesn’t want for kit, at least in UK market trim. For these shores a whole factory full of extra gear has been added, all as standard.

So, this seven-and-a-half-metre motorhome gets 16in alloy wheels, a 3,650kg chassis (necessary for a respectable payload), cab air-con, cruise control, luxury Grammer captain’s chairs, DAB+ radio with sat-nav and reversing camera, an electric step, flyscreen door, gas/ electric heating and even a head-up display on the dashboard. That doesn’t leave a lot to pay extra for, although you might want to upgrade from the standard 120bhp motor (the show ’van had the top-of-the-range 178bhp engine and super new nine-speed automatic gearbox but that combo adds £7,159 to the tally).

Before you mull over which engine to go for (we’d choose 160bhp), the Live I will impress with its LED headlights and chrome grille, which make for an imposing front end that’s more premium than budget.

Unsurprisingly, the 700 MEG comes with a rear twin bed layout (the most popular floorplan in Germany)

and a generous rear garage. Slightly more unusual is that the only alternative (the 650 MEG) is just a shorter (6.99m) version of a similar layout. Here, the garage (with 1.17m headroom) is an important reason to buy.

Above that garage, the next key feature is a pair of generously sized beds – 1.91m long on the nearside and 1.98m on the offside. There’s a stylish curved section between the beds and wardrobes under the foot of each – both with front and top access. There’s a third wardrobe next to the fridge, too, but this could be the narrowest motorhome wardrobe we’ve ever seen – no matter, you’re not short of hanging space.

You won’t lack fridge capacity, either – there’s a 177litre Thetford unit with doors that open either way (and an oven is mounted above). Alongside is the L-shaped galley with three-burners-in-line hob and two softclosing drawers. Between the kitchen and lounge is a neat serving shelf, which hides the head restraints and opens up through vision when they’ve been removed.

The best aspect of the lounge is the Grammer captain’s chairs, which swivel around through a full 180 degrees as there are cut-outs in the sofas. The cab chairs even have adjustable squab depth (great if you have long legs), height adjustment and integral seatbelts.

Finally, there’s a washroom incorporating a separate shower, as well as featuring a Dometic toilet and shallow moulded basin. A 1.91m by 1.51m drop-down bed in the cab makes this a practical four-berth, too, but it’s the high-quality feel that leaves a lasting impression.

WHO IS KNAUS?

Knaus built its first caravan in 1961 and its first motorhome in 1988. Today it is part of the Knaus-Tabbert Group which also includes the Weinsberg brand, Morelo (the maker of luxury liner-class motorhomes) and Rent and Travel for motorhome hire. It was the first manufacturer to offer a low-profile ’van with an overcab sunroof (in 2004). Then, van conversions joined the portfolio in 2005 and success in this sector has been such that a brand-new factory in Hungary has been opened where all Knaus and Weinsberg campervans are built.

In its German homeland Knaus’ sales have grown by 21.3% in the last year, against a market increase of 12.4% and the group plans to exceed €800 million turnover in 2019.

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Knaus Live I 700 MEG

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Fiat Ducato PRICE FROM £69,995 BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 4 LENGTH 7.53m WIDTH 2.32m HEIGHT 2.79m GROSS WEIGHT 3,650kg PAYLOAD 432kg

ALSO CONSIDER Dethleffs Trend I 7057 EB Laika Ecovip 709

BUY A KNAUS FROM… The Scottish dealer for Knaus motorhomes is Highland Campers in Inverness, while at the opposite end of the UK is Alan Kerr in Paignton, Devon.

Another outlet in the southwest is Davan Caravans in Weston-superMare, while Southdowns Motorcaravans is on the south coast, at Portsmouth. In the Midlands, Knaus ’vans can be sourced from Don Amott (Derby), Premium Motorhomes (Doncaster) and SMC Motorhomes (Newark).

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 43

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Laika Ecovip 609

Laika Ecovip 609 Laika’s more affordable A-class line now shares more of the DNA of its upmarket Kreos sisters

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Fiat Ducato PRICE FROM £71,400 BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 4 LENGTH 6.99m WIDTH 2.31m HEIGHT 2.93m GROSS WEIGHT 3,500kg (3,650kg and 4,250kg options) PAYLOAD 448kg

ALSO CONSIDER Pilote Galaxy G690GJ Rapido 855F

I

F you associate Italian motorhomes with low-cost and often family-orientated models, perhaps even the hire market, you need to retune your thinking with Laika. This is an Erwin Hymer Group brand that can bear comparison with Hymer itself, although the style here eschews Teutonic efficiency for Latin flair.

It’s a marque that has been associated with A-classes since its Laserhome first landed here in 1988 and both its Ecovip and Kreos ranges include A-class models (the entry-level Kosmo line-up is not imported). However, to give the latest Ecovip a more complete ‘Laika look’, it

has now inherited the rich wood colour of the Kreos as well as the same style of A-class front. Unlike the more expensive range, however, it can be specified as a 3,500kg vehicle (to suit drivers without a C1 category driving licence) and offer a choice of Truma blown-air or Alde radiator-based heating systems. Ecovip A-classes are also more compact, starting at under 7m long.

This 609 model is one of three 6.99m layouts, each with a technical double floor that includes the water tanks in a fully insulated location.

Standard specification has been reduced in order to provide acceptable payloads, but you

still need to be wary of adding too many options if you want to avoid a chassis upgrade to 3,650kg or beyond. A 4,250kg version is available for those who need it.

Firstly, there are two packs to consider. The Comfort Pack (price £1,760 and weight 22.7kg) adds cab air-conditioning, Traction Plus, Hill Descent Control, cruise control, cab carpet and a duckboard for the shower. Then the Dolce Vita Pack (£3,970 and 29.5kg) gives you a multimedia system with sat-nav and reversing camera, a 22in LED TV, satellite dish and remote control of the heating from your smartphone. Both packs offer a saving against

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 45

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New ’vans

BUY A LAIKA FROM… Laika has just two dealers in the UK at the present time, Camper UK in Lincoln and EmmBee Motorhomes based in Bury, Lancashire.

WHO IS LAIKA?

In 1964, Giovanbattista Moscardini founded Laika, naming the company after the first dog in space. Its first product was a tiny caravan, designed to be towed by the original, rearengined Fiat 500. By the late 1980s its Laserhome A-classes were making a mark in the UK, while the long-running Ecovip name debuted in 1992. Then, in 2016, the company moved into its new HQ at San Casciano, said to be one of the most advanced motorhome factories in Europe.

Part of the Erwin Hymer Group, Laika is an Italian marque that trades on its nation’s reputation for style but also creates vehicles designed for all climates. In the UK it sells its Ecovip and Kreos ranges, each offering lowprofile and A-class body types. On the Continent it has a wider range, including van conversions.

specifying the various options individually.

The Ecovip makes a good first impression with a smart moulded interior to the habitation door (with twin bins) and very Italian suedestyle upholstery (called Pavia). The round table in the lounge looks the part, too, and it’s not just about image – storage in the double floor and the waste water dump valve positioned here show that practicalities have not been overlooked. Roman blinds are fitted and there’s a hidden TV compartment positioned above the half-dinette.

The kitchen demonstrates the attractive

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| FEBRUARY 2020

woodwork and comes equipped with a threeburner hob, a deep sink with a chopping board on the reverse side of its lid, and three XXLsized drawers. Alongside is a 160-litre AES fridge/freezer, above which an oven can be specified as an option. The top lockers have sturdy metal hinges and lock onto a metal rail.

Opposite, the washroom incorporates a circular shower with central drain, plenty of storage for all of your toiletries, and an opening window. The ambience is overwhelmingly woody, rather than white plastic as seen in many rivals.

Towards the rear there’s a wide entrance to the bedroom, which can be closed off with a sliding/ folding wooden door. Broad wardrobes are found under each mattress but hanging depth is suited to skirts rather than dresses. Both beds measure 1.94m long.

Unusually (especially for this type of layout), there’s internal access to the garage, via a sliding door. The garage itself can carry up to 250kg and has 1.20m headroom, as well as two large loading doors, but if you want to take full advantage of this space a chassis upgrade will be warranted.

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New ’vans

Laika Kreos 7009 The ultimate in Italian style?

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Fiat Ducato Heavy Al-Ko PRICE FROM £110,500 BERTHS 4/5 TRAVEL SEATS 4/5 LENGTH 7.96m WIDTH 2.31m HEIGHT 2.98m GROSS WEIGHT 4,500kg PAYLOAD 1,004kg

K

REOS is the flagship range from Laika and the 7000 models are the top Fiat-based types (with just the Iveco-based 8000s above). There are two Kreos 7000s – the 7012 with an island bed and this 7009 with twin beds.

Each is just under eight metres long and is built on a 4.5-tonne Al-Ko chassis as standard.

The Kreos 7009 is well-suited to winter use and has a heated double floor (up to 37.5cm deep) with glass-fibre finish top and bottom. The Laika Thermo Cab System features here, too, with radiators and warm air vents under the front seats, in the door area and above the dashboard.

Externally, this could only be a Laika, but it’s

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not just about Italian style – the 7009 has a large garage with twin loading doors and access to the fresh and waste water tanks (and the draining facilities). Inside, there’s a single floor level throughout the living area, while there’s over a tonne of payload in standard form and the garage alone has a 250kg capacity.

The Fiat base vehicle comes with ESP, Traction Plus, Hill Descent Control, Roll Over Mitigation, cruise control, reinforced rear suspension, twin airbags, Xenon headlights, 16in alloy wheels and heated bus-type mirrors with wide-angle lenses.

The lounge has multi-level indirect lighting as well as an insulated and upholstered ceiling in

Laika’s Iso-Deluxe material. Cream leather is a popular option here, contrasting with rich, warm woodwork. Top lockers at the front of the vehicle are in Bianco Carrara, while wood finish is retained throughout in the bedroom where long side windows and a mirrored headboard also feature.

The kitchen comes with the sort of specification you expect in a £110k motorhome, including the Corian work surface with integral sinks, one of which also acts as a double-decker drainer. There’s a 160-litre fridge/freezer with automatic energy selection and HPC (High Performance Cooler) system as well as a slot-in cooker with three burners and an oven below.

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Le Voyageur Classic LV7.8LU

Le Voyageur Classic LV7.8LU French chic combined with the UK favourite of a rear lounge

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Fiat Ducato Al-Ko PRICE FROM £99,900 BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 4 LENGTH 7.85m WIDTH 2.24m HEIGHT 2.95m GROSS WEIGHT 4,500kg PAYLOAD 780kg

ALSO CONSIDER Carthago Liner-for-two 53

I

T’S arguable that there’s rarely anything new in the motorhome industry, instead that, like the fashion world, design is cyclical. You could certainly make the case for rear lounge A-classes, which appear to be on the rise again after almost becoming extinct.

The latest brand to launch an end lounge layout in this premium part of the market is Le Voyageur, but those with long memories (and very long-term interest in motorhomes) might recall a previous model from the company’s parent marque. The Pilote R800S is a model that your Editor will never forget as he took one from London to Prague back in

1990, long before trips to eastern Europe were en vogue.

That old Pilote and this brand-new Le Voyageur share a format that includes both a wrap-around rear lounge and a forward seating area with four individual travel seats, which makes a neat second lounge, too.

Beyond that, of course, the latest LV7.8LU takes its own course, not least because this is a high-end A-class sitting well above the products of Pilote. The show model with a plethora of sophisticated options, including a pricey lithium battery system, had a retail price of over £126,000.

Even the lounge in the tail end has a look of its own. Not for this chic Gallic model the usual side-facing settees but instead angled seating that resembles half an octagon. The fold-in-half dining table reflects that design, too, while the deep shelf under the rear window hints at the hidden garage space beneath. There are corner wardrobes as well (complete with slide-out hanging rails), which give the lounge a more secluded, private feel and a 32in TV (part of a £4,500 pack) glides away into a locker between the settee and the galley. Ultimately, though, it’s the top-notch seating comfort and equally impressive finish

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New ’vans

BUY A LE VOYAGEUR FROM… Once represented by a sole UK dealer, Le Voyageur now has four outlets in England and one in Northern Ireland. The southernmost retailer for the brand is Wilmoths in Southampton, while Pullingers Leisure Vehicles is in Essex and further north you’ll find Oakwell Motorhomes in Barnsley and Signature Motorhomes & Leisure in Preston.

Across the Irish Sea, the dealer is Provincial Motorhomes.

WHO IS LE VOYAGEUR?

Le Voyageur was born as an A-class motorhome brand in 1981. It soon became famous for its prestigious vehicles with bespoke design touches and Mercedes chassis, as well as having a look of its own. Then, in 2000, it became part of the Pilote Group and two years later it opened a brand-new factory near Angers in the Loire region.

Today, the company offers Classic (on Fiat) and Signature (on Iveco) ranges of A-class motorhomes, as well as its flagship Liner models with lengths from 8.30m to 10.80m and gross weights up to 12 tonnes (on Mercedes Atego chassis).

of the leather upholstery (another option at £2,784) that win the day here.

Up front the cab chairs rotate to face separate rear passenger seats, each with an automotive-style headrest. There are twin tables here, too, plus reading lights and USB ports on both sides. Up above, the drop-down double bed is manually operated and measures 1.87m by 1.36m – or, as another optional extra, you can have the electric Duo Bed in which you’ll sleep lengthways for easier access. A clever sliding mirror and storage unit are used to shut off the cab/bedroom.

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The central kitchen has plenty of worktop and loads and loads of practical slide-out storage, including two bins and room for eight wine bottles. The deep sink has a drying rack on the reverse of its lid, while the domesticstyle cooker hood includes a digital clock.

Opposite is a 160-litre fridge/freezer.

The shower cubicle is very large and has plenty of headroom, while the toilet room facing it has plenty of cupboard space. There’s more locker capacity in the double floor, plus the garage of course. The latter suffers some intrusion from the lounge above but has

interior headroom of between 0.74m and 1.18m, as well as LED lighting across the full width of the vehicle.

The Alde heating system not only includes the usual radiators but also a heat exchanger, while the Lithium Pack adds a 160Ah lithium iron phosphate battery, 1,800W inverter and a 175W solar panel. Then there are TV packs, a Media Pack and Energy packs to consider – or go the whole nine yards with the Comfort Plus Pack which features two TVs, the lithium battery, habitation air-conditioning and lots more to create the ultimate spec.

the exception that proves the rule

Travelling is about leaving reality behind in order to experience your dreams. A dream of escaping to exotic destinations where the landscapes challenge the imagination, day after day.

So you need a companion to travel to your desired location, one to take you around the world in comfort, luxury & style. That companion is LE VOYAGEUR. Unique and demanding as you when it comes to exceptional travel. From the imagination to our workshops, Le Voyageur are exclusively developed and manufacture in Angers, western France. Aerodynamically designed for comfort & handling, enhancing your driving experience, plus exquisite interior designs & inishes: to us, every detail matters.

www.le o a eur-motorhome.uk

New ’vans

Le Voyageur Signature I8.5HF Rear bedroom with single beds or a double?

Have both according to your mood…

T

HE word ‘unique’ is over-used in this market and features claimed to be so are often simply rare. However, the Signature genuinely does have a USP. Just look at the very automotive styling of this luxury (another over-used term but apposite here) A-class and you might wonder if it isn’t quite ready to leave the factory floor – where are the busstyle mirrors suspended from on high on the cab?

Well, the Signature has no need for such ungainly appendages and benefits accordingly in terms of appearance and aerodynamics. Instead, there are cameras on the outside and neat screens adjacent to the A-pillars on the inside. You get two views each side (plus a reversing camera view via the central dashtop display). The screens give a better view – we’ve tried them a couple of times now and think they’re great.

At the opposite end of the ’van there’s another feature that’s not quite unique but is certainly unusual.

The two single beds (each measuring 1.97m by 0.82m) look pretty conventional but they have a neat party trick – they slide together electrically to create a double bed. Better still, you can sit up in bed, despite the cupboards all around, as the head end of each bed tips up to create a lounger-style arrangement.

The base for this rather special motorhome is the latest Iveco Daily, uprated here as part of the Chassis Pack to a 3-litre 210bhp model with slick eight-speed automatic transmission. In fact, this show model was loaded with extra kit, including the £14k Comfort Plus Jet Pack

(featuring a lithium battery, inverter, solar panel, satellite dish, two TVs, etc), resulting in a total price of £191,087.

But this is a 5.6-tonne, 8.5m motorhome that bears comparison with the best German brands. Its automotive styling is a standout aspect, there’s a 270mm-deep double floor and a tonne of payload (in standard spec). Details impress as soon as you start to examine the multitude of external hatches, and especially when you discover that you don’t need a mains lead or hose – they’re built in.

The comfortable side settees give an open-plan feel that’s en vogue, while the cab chairs rise electrically to a similar level because the cab floor (and driving position) is lower. Then, when you need rear travel seats, fold-away Aguti chairs unfurl beneath the sofas.

The central washroom area is huge, with a domesticsized shower cubicle and a smart washbasin with wallmounted tap – boutique hotel style. Also featured here is the optional Tecma macerator toilet with 100-litre tank.

The kitchen has plenty of worktop (in resin, of course), a slide-out pantry storage unit over the sink and an oven/ grill, while opposite are the domestic-type 173-litre fridge/freezer and fitted microwave. Adjacent, the Grundig telly hides behind a ridged white panel that splits and slides (half up, half down) to reveal the screen.

But it’s not just about surprise and delight novelties, this Gallic luxury-on-wheels comes with a 300-litre fresh water tank, a garage that’s 1.21m tall, an athermic windscreen, an electric awning, a heat exchanger and twin rear wheels with widened track.

WHO IS LE VOYAGEUR?

Unlike many manufacturers, Le Voyageur makes only A-class motorhomes – and that’s been true for most of the company’s near four decades of history.

Today’s range stretches from 3,500kg to 12,000kg and 6.80m to 10.80m, with some of the largest liner models even including a garage for a small car. The company is based at La Membrolle-surLonguenée in central France.

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Le Voyageur Signature I8.5HF

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Iveco Daily PRICE FROM £146,286 BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 4 LENGTH 8.59m WIDTH 2.24m HEIGHT 2.99m GROSS WEIGHT 5,600kg PAYLOAD 1,000kg

ALSO CONSIDER Niesmann + Bischoff Flair 880 EK

BUY A LE VOYAGEUR FROM… Once represented by a sole UK dealer, Le Voyageur now has four outlets in England and one in Northern Ireland. The southernmost retailer for the brand is Wilmoths in Southampton, while Pullingers Leisure Vehicles is in Essex and further north you’ll find Oakwell in Barnsley and Signature Motorhomes & Leisure in Preston. Across the Irish Sea, the dealer is Provincial Motorhomes.

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 55

Mobilvetta K-Yacht 80

Mobilvetta K-Yacht 80 A rear lounge and UK-handed layout makes this a particularly Brit-friendly model

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Fiat Ducato PRICE FROM £78,995 BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 3/4 LENGTH 6.99m WIDTH 2.35m HEIGHT 2.89m GROSS WEIGHT 3,650kg (optional 3,500kg with three seatbelts, or upgrade to 4,400kg) PAYLOAD 450kg

ALSO CONSIDER Bürstner Ixeo I 744 Rapido 8094dF

W

ITH its curvaceous nose and bold styling, the Mobilvetta K-Yacht is instantly recognisable – as well as being a welcome change from the brick-like shapes of some older A-classes. It’s also one of the very few A-class ’vans currently available with the doors (both habitation and cab) on the UK side. That’s, perhaps, more important on this class of motorhome because, like its rivals, the K-Yacht has just one cab door – so, for once, its driver doesn’t have to squeeze past the passenger to get out, say, for fuel fill-ups.

The three-model range includes the predictable island bed and twin bed floorplans,

but also a rear lounge model – the 80 seen here – which seems almost purpose-built for UK buyers.

Like other Marquis imports, the K-Yacht comes with a high standard spec – and a commensurately short options list. You’ll pay extra for the automatic gearbox (£3,000) or a chassis upgrade (£2,000) but everything else is included (or a dealer-fit accessory, such as an awning). These Mobilvettas are on a 3,650kg chassis as standard, but can be downplated to 3,500kg if a 300kg payload and just three seatbelts will suffice. The optional upgrade is to 4,400kg, resulting in a massive carrying capacity

of way over a tonne.

Basis is a Fiat Ducato, with the new 160bhp engine for extra grunt. It also gets bronze highlights on the dashboard, a leather steering wheel, automatic air-conditioning, a DAB radio with sat-nav and reversing camera, cruise control, Traction Plus, Hill Descent Control and twin airbags.

Inside, there’s not just a lounge in the stern but one up front that takes advantage of the full-width A-class cab and panoramic windscreen, as well as the swivelling captain’s chairs. The fixed table’s movement is controlled by a foot pedal and there’s a vast array of

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New ’vans

BUY A MOBILVETTA FROM…

Dealer

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The Mobilvetta range is imported to the UK by a sister company from the Trigano Group, Marquis Leisure, which has 12 outlets around England. Marquis branches can be found in Lancashire, Northants, Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Dorset, Devon, Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey, Suffolk, South Yorkshire and County Durham.

Mobilvetta motorhomes are also sold by The Motorhome Company in Perthshire, Scotland and, for customers in Ireland, the brand is represented

by Anchor Point Motorhomes in Co Tipperary.

WHO IS MOBILVETTA?

Mobilvetta’s vehicles were first sold in the UK in the 1990s, when its Top Driver 52 was claimed to be the bestselling imported ’van here. After a short absence, the brand returned in the mid-noughties through the Marquis dealer network when both companies had become part of the Italian SEA Group. More recently, Marquis launched the K-Yacht range as its first A-class offering for some years, later adding the closely related Kea P low-profiles.

These vehicles now sit as the flagship motorhomes offered by Marquis with a very comprehensive spec and UK-handed bodywork.

interior lighting, plus speakers set into the base of the drop-down cab bed.

This front bed (claimed dimensions 1.90m by 1.35m) is manually operated and has a roof vent directly above. More surprising is that the second double bed, in the stern, is another dropdown unit, rather than being created from the seats. The mattress is said to be bigger here, too – at 2.10m by 1.40m. There are two speakers in the back bedroom and open-fronted roof-level storage pockets.

The central kitchen, along the nearside, has a high-end resin worktop with a lip to catch

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spillages, as well as a matching slot-in sink cover.

The cooker is a stylish Thetford unit with two gas rings and one induction ring powered by mains 230V. To the rear of the hob is the wardrobe, with a raised section of worktop atop, while opposite is the tall two-door fridge/freezer with a coordinating black-fronted oven/grill mounted above – that could be inconveniently high for some users.

Also on the offside is the bathroom, which includes all the facilities in one space. The shower cubicle has bifold doors and a wooden duckboard but shares floorspace in front of the

‘salad bowl’ washbasin. An opening window is a practical plus, while the ceramic mug and soap dispenser hint at Mobilvetta’s efforts to make this motorhome feel premium.

Another practical feature is the storage in the floor, hidden under carpets (not shown in our photos) when they’re fitted. Meanwhile, lightcoloured woodwork and pale ‘eco leather’ upholstery create a spacious feeling, and the standard Winter Pack, Combi 6 gas/electric blown-air heating and inboard 120-litre fresh water tank bode well for all-season use. It adds up to a good-value package.

...Experience The Ultimate in Luxury Touring WWW.MOBILVETTA.CO.UK 0800 026 7777

New ’vans

Morelo Loft 79F Looking for the ultimate motorhome? This is what a quarter of a million quid’s worth looks like

H

ERE’S something truly special – a motorhome priced at £257,040 as shown, fully loaded with desirable extras. It’s the latest Morelo Loft, facelifted for the 2020 season.

Following in the wheel tracks of the top-of-the-range Empire Liner (from just under €400,000), the latest Loft benefits from the new design direction introduced by the company flagship in 2016. Last year the Palace model was updated with the Empire Liner visage, now finally the Home and Loft get the family look. You’ll also spot that the awning (6m long and electrically operated by remote control) is now mounted at rooftop level for a more integrated, flush look, while there’s also the convenience of a wider entrance door.

In the case of the Loft, it’s not just the external styling that’s revamped this season but the interior, too. It’s been modernised, with deeper, curved top lockers which are said to fit more harmoniously into the overall scheme.

Basis for the Loft, like most motorhomes in this segment, is the Iveco Daily in its latest incarnation with Euro 6d engines. With the optional Chassis Pack, gross weight increases from 7,200kg to 7,490kg, while power output goes from 180bhp to 210bhp. The pack includes the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Chassis spec continues with optional air suspension and hydraulic levelling jacks, but a new feature this year is the Driving Safety Package (electric parking brake, emergency brake assist, adaptive cruise control, active lane departure warning, ESP with crosswind

assist, Traction Plus with downhill assist, and tyre pressure monitoring). All Lofts come with Morelo’s re-engineered cab which moves the driver forward and closer to the side for a more natural driving position and better visibility. Morelo’s own dashboard design comes with a central refrigerated compartment.

The layout’s only surprise is the semi-island bed at the rear, nestling up against both the rear and offside walls but providing good access around the foot of the mattress (a multi-zone one with watergel topping). Oh, that and the sheer size of the neighbouring shower cubicle.

But then everything in a motorhome like this is on a grand scale. The cassette toilet is replaced here by an optional ceramic-bowl marine-style loo which has a 200-litre holding tank. The gas supply is upgraded from humble cylinders to a 120-litre built-in tank. The heated double floor is 366mm deep and there’s a payload of well over two tonnes (before allowing for the options). Of course, the 300-litre fresh and 200litre waste water tanks are installed in the double floor.

Then there’s the Electrical Package with two 210Ah gel leisure batteries, a combined 120A/3,000W charger/ inverter, premium control panel and a 230V socket in the huge rear garage. A lithium battery pack is offered, too.

The kitchen has a mineral worktop with seamlessly integrated sink, a 177-litre fridge/freezer and soft-closing drawers. Caffeine-lovers can specify the built-in Nespresso machine, while a home-from-home experience can be achieved with the integrated dishwasher.

WHO IS MORELO? Under the title ‘First Class Reisemobile. Made in Germany’, Morelo competes in the very highest echelons of leisure vehicles, where the description ‘A-class’ is no longer enough. Instead, these vehicles are liners.

Its range of Home, Loft, Palace, Palace Liner, Empire and Empire Liner accounts for production of 400 vehicles per annum – not bad for a business that’s just a decade old and has an entry point of around £150k. Most models are built on an Iveco Daily, while the flagship models use the Mercedes-Benz Atego truck chassis.

A new service centre has recently been opened at the factory in Schlüsselfeld with 19 bays representing an investment of €4.3 million. In addition, the company is developing 52 fully serviced motorhome parking pitches on site around a natural pond – that’s a further €1m investment.

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Morelo Loft 79F

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Iveco Daily PRICE FROM £169,000 BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 4 LENGTH 8.31m WIDTH 2.40m HEIGHT 3.41m GROSS WEIGHT 7,490kg PAYLOAD 2,470kg

ALSO CONSIDER Concorde Charisma 900M

BUY A MORELO FROM… Sole UK dealer for Morelo is Premium Motorhomes of Bawtry, near Doncaster. At this site the company has an indoor showroom as well as an NCC-approved workshop and crash repair centre.

Premium also has franchises for Carthago, Weinsberg and Knaus vehicles, making up an all-German portfolio.

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Niesmann + Bischoff Arto 78F

Niesmann Arto 78F One of the single rear axle models from Erwin Hymer Group’s flagship brand

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Fiat Ducato Al-Ko PRICE FROM £145,945 (as shown) BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 4 LENGTH 7.93m WIDTH 2.32m HEIGHT 2.95m GROSS WEIGHT 4,500kg PAYLOAD 800kg (before options)

ALSO CONSIDER Carthago Chic E-line I 51 QB Le Voyageur Classic LV7.8CL

I

T hardly seems possible that Niesmann + Bischoff introduced its bold exterior styling as long ago as 2013, but the company has not looked back since, becoming the brand by which others in its (exalted) class are judged. Its A-classes – Arto (on Fiat) and Flair (on Iveco) – are the Erwin Hymer Group’s most prestigious offerings and these motorhomes are often seen as sitting in a category of their own between the top-end models of more mainstream marques (Carthago, Hymer, etc) and even more expensive liner-class vehicles from the likes of Concorde and Morelo.

In fact, Niesmann itself describes the Arto as ‘the compact liner’, although tag-axle models can

be up to 8.76m long. This single-rear-axle version is more modest, at under 8m, while 7.24m is now the shortest overall length available.

The bold looks are a good starting point for Arto but there are clever details, too, such as the reversing camera hidden (and kept clean) under the N+B logo, which pops out when you select reverse. And you can personalise your Niesmann with a splash of colour, or keep things sobre. It’s Miami Blue here but there are green, orange and Champagne alternatives, as well as special paint finishes for even more colour. The beauty is more than skin deep, too, so there’s a hail-resistant GRP roof with an extra-high glass content, while the

Arto’s rear garage has a generous internal height of 1.25m and lashing rails as standard.

A new option for 2020 is the Lithium Energy Package, which is claimed to offer around nine days of self-sufficiency with typical electrical consumption, as well as a five-fold increase in battery life expectancy and reduced battery weight. The pack includes two solar modules with 250W on the roof (upgradeable to 500W) and a MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking ) solar controller for optimal energy supply even

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New ’vans

BUY A NIESMANN FROM… The sole UK dealer for Niesmann + Bischoff has, for the past decade, been Travelworld. The West Midlands company originally imported high-end American RVs, so is well versed in dealing with large vehicles.

Recently, Travelworld has become an Erwin Hymer Centre with brand-new, purposebuilt premises at Cresswell Park in Staffordshire (just off junction 14 of the M6). It also sells Carado, Dethleffs and Hymer vehicles alongside N+B, and is the UK agent for Goldschmitt accessories.

WHO IS NIESMANN + BISCHOFF?

One of the leading manufacturers of top-end A-class motorhomes, Niesmann + Bischoff continues to struggle to meet demand for its class-leading range of Smove, Arto and Flair vehicles. It has limited production to 650 vehicles per year in order to maintain build quality.

The flagship marque from the Erwin Hymer Group, N+B manufactures all its motorhomes at Polch in northwest Germany. It expanded its range to include the Smove low-profile two years ago and put the focus on safety last year after a crash-test programme for its big Flair A-classes. Since 2019, the focus has been on even more choice, including new Modern Line furniture (which is standard on Smove).

when it’s cloudy. Thanks to an integrated aluminium panel, there’s 80% less weight than with conventional framed glass modules.

A 100A combi charger with inverter is also included in this option, as well as the three lithium batteries (285Ah usable capacity) and the pack comes with its own app, so all systems are controllable by Bluetooth.

Inside, all of the Arto’s key furniture fixings and hinges are metal and the galley’s drawers can be locked shut centrally. Cabinets can be ordered in the Modern Line finish of Verada Oak (as here) or darker Classic Line style of Mali Acacia,

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each with a scratch-resistant, glossy 3D film to give the look of high-quality wood. Ceiling cupboards can be in matt white or high-gloss wood. The galley comes with a mineral worktop, while opposite, the use of a smaller fridge in this UK-spec kitchen allows the oven to be mounted at a more practical height and a microwave to be built-in above that.

The SKA captain’s chairs – superbly finished here in optional Temptation (an appropriate name) cream leather – combine with an L-shaped lounge, while other models in the range offer new face-to-face sofa floorplans.

There’s a vast choice of upholsteries and interior styles to suit all tastes, all featuring a three-layer foam concept for comfort.

The spec of this example (one of the island bed layouts but fixed singles feature in the range, too) is very comprehensive, including the new nine-speed automatic gearbox, 178bhp engine, Alde heating with heat exchanger, 16in alloy wheels (18in also available), 5.5m awning, an external shower in the garage, two AGM leisure batteries, a ceramic toilet with SOG system, Alpine head unit with 9in screen and sat-nav, and plenty more.

brity Cele hef C e TV y Be Sall

Your Invitation TO ATTEND THE FIRST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF

ERWIN HYMER CENTRE Travelworld Celebrate the 1st Birthday of the Erwin Hymer Centre between 17th and 23rd February 2020 Starting at 1pm on Monday 17th we’ll host a champagne reception with free refreshments. Our VIP guest will be Celebrity TV Chef, Sally Bee, who will tell her amazing story alongside a fabulous cookery demonstration (Monday only). Sally is an Ambassador for Heart Research UK, our charity partner for 2020, for whom we will be fundraising during the event and across the year.

Travelworld’s showroom, the Erwin Hymer Centre, is located off J14 of the M6 near Stafford.

Call in and view the latest industry-leading Hymer models fresh from the factory, as well as the other major brands we have on display. We look forward to welcoming you!

To register your attendance call us today on 01785 87 87 87 email info@motorhomes.co.uk / find out more at www.motorhomes.co.uk

ERWIN HYMER CENTRE Travelworld Valley Drive, M6 Junction 14, Stafford, ST16 1NZ.

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☎ 01778 392010 Ref: mmm/whi/feb20 motorhome.ma/mmmwhifeb20 Offer is open to UK residents and closes on 29th February 2020

Pilote Galaxy G720FC

Pilote Galaxy G720FC A new size, slotting between the existing 690 and 740 models, with a face-to-face lounge

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Fiat Ducato PRICE FROM £66,591 (excluding VED) BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 4 LENGTH 7.25m WIDTH 2.30m HEIGHT 2.77m GROSS WEIGHT 3,500kg PAYLOAD 575kg (Essentiel), 510kg (Sensation)

ALSO CONSIDER Rapido 896F

P

ILOTE’S Galaxy range includes lengths from 5.99m (G600) up to 7.89m (G781), with the most popular size amongst UK customers being 7.49m (G740). However, a new option this year is the G720 at 7.25m long, although there’s just one floorplan choice (which is also available in a similarly sized low-profile Pacific model).

The FC suffix here indicates a face-to-face lounge (the ‘F’) and an island (or central – hence ‘C’) bed at the rear. It’s about as en vogue as you can get in a motorhome of these dimensions.

That current popularity is not hard to

explain as the front part of the motorhome feels especially open and spacious. The lounge is particularly comfy, too, aided by the fact that cab and rear share the same seat and floor heights, while the fold-in-half table is not overly large.

The longer nearside sofa also has an angled forward edge, enabling the adjacent captain’s chair to rotate right around, so you can put your feet up. The fact that the TV bracket (on the side of the fridge) is height-adjustable is a further plus.

The settees also convert easily into a pair of forward-facing rear travel seats and we liked

the way the settee backrests attach with magnets.

The nearside kitchen is a little smaller than in the longer G740FC model and eschews the usual L-shape for a straight run of deep cabinets. However, there’s plenty of worktop in front of the two-burner hob and lots of drawer-based storage below. The latter is

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New ’vans

BUY A PILOTE FROM… This French brand is well represented around the UK, from Dicksons of Perth in Scotland down to Wilmoths in the far south of England (with branches in Guildford and Southampton). In Northern Ireland Pilote has a dealer, too – Provincial Motorhomes (in Hillsborough).

The rest of England is covered by Robsons of Wolsingham in the northeast, Signature Motorhomes & Leisure in the northwest, SMC (Newark) and Hayes Leisure (Birmingham) in the Midlands, Pullingers Leisure Vehicles in East Anglia and Davan Caravans in the southwest.

WHO IS PILOTE?

Pilote has been represented in the UK longer than any other continental motorhome brand, with Hayes Leisure (still a Pilote dealer) originally acting as the French marque’s importer as long ago as the mid 1980s. It was probably the very first manufacturer to offer low-profile coachbuilts here (as well as being an early adopter of A-classes).

The brand actually goes back even further – to a first caravan in 1962 and a Pilote motorhome in 1978, followed by A-class models from 1985.

In 1990 the company acquired the German firm, Frankia, while in 2004 it opened a new factory close to Angers in the Loire Valley as an additional production site, while still maintaining its premises near Nantes.

Today, Pilote offers a wide range of lowprofile Pacific and A-class Galaxy models as well as building the Pilote Van range (sold here as Danbury Avenir).

reduced if you order the 36-litre oven/grill, but at least this isn’t mounted over the tall fridge/freezer (a 134-litre model) opposite.

You won’t be short of storage, though, as there are 130mm-deep compartments in the floor, as well as a drawer-style skirt locker on the nearside (max 70kg). There’s a neat service hatch on the opposite flank with the fresh water filler, mains hook-up point (the lead feeds up through the floor), fuses, RCD and leisure battery all sited together. At the rear, the garage has large loading doors on either side and storage bins, moveable tie-down

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hooks and 880mm headroom inside.

Above that large locker space is a generous island bed, measuring 1.90m by 1.50m (max) although it’s curved at the end. There’s a new backlit headboard on these latest Pilotes, while usefully large flat surfaces at either side of the bed (complete with double USBs for him and her) are made possible by the raised wardrobes. There are rear speakers here, too, as well as flexible wand reading lights and room to sit up in bed. Adequate room at the sides of the bed allows for undressing, but space at the foot is especially tight when the

sliding bedroom door is closed.

Forward of this, the en suite is split with the good-sized shower (with roof vent and drying rail) on the nearside and a surprisingly commodious toilet cubicle (the door of which shuts off the back of the ’van) on the offside.

Shown here in Sensation spec (from £71,596 excluding VED), British buyers are more likely to be tempted by the GB Edition Pack which is based on the Essentiel trim but with added Media, Comfort and Energy packs, as well as features such as carpets, an oven and Truma Combi 6EH gas/230V heating.

HIT THE ROAD NOW WITH THE NEW

GB EDITION PACK

FROM *

£55 760 SAVE £3 680* With the GB edition pack, everything you need is included.

With the MEDIA 8’’ PACK (Car radio 2DIN 8’’, DAB, Rear camera, Speakers), driving and parking is a new experience. The ENERGY PACK (Solar panel 120W, Auxiliary battery 100 Ah) gives you full autonomy on your journey and the COMFORT PACK (Central locking luxury door, Flyscreen, Cab blinds, Electrical entrance step, Carpet in cabin) provides you peace of mind in your motorhome. You will also find : Skydome**, Oven/grill 36L, Carpet in cell, Skirt Locker, Frost Proof waste water tank***, Polyester Side Walls, TRUMA© Combi 6EH.

Find your dealers at : WWW.PILOTE-MOTORHOME.UK * Price for a P600P and the low profile GB edition pack. Retail price for Pilote motorhomes collection 2020 (including 20% VAT, OTR charges, VED & transport). ** Only available on low profile motorhome not equipped with drop down bed *** Not available on A-class motorhome

Rapido M96

Rapido M96 After a five-year gap, Rapido and Mercedes-Benz are reunited with a pair of A-classes

FACT FILE BASE VEHICLE Mercedes Sprinter Al-Ko (FWD) PRICE FROM £87,800 BERTHS 4 TRAVEL SEATS 4 LENGTH 7.54m WIDTH 2.35m HEIGHT 2.76m GROSS WEIGHT 3,500kg (4,500kg option) PAYLOAD 325kg

ALSO CONSIDER Hymer B-Class ModernComfort I 690

I

T was the arrival of a front-wheel drive derivative of the new Sprinter that persuaded French firm, Rapido, to link up once again with the three-pointed star.

Mercedes-based models (mostly A-classes) had once been a key part of its motorhome range but the difficulty of offering a full double floor in combination with rear-wheel drive saw a temporary divorce between the two marques.

Now, the Série M sees a return of a Rapido with the Stuttgart star proudly displayed on the grille – and, as before, different styling to its cheaper, Fiat-based sister models. There

are just two layouts on offer for now – M66 with high-level single beds and M96 with an island bed – but we’d be surprised if this lineup wasn’t expanded for 2021.

Both of the initial M models are 7.54m long and use the Al-Ko chassis in combination with the front-drive Sprinter and 143bhp engine. A 180bhp upgrade and nine-speed automatic gearbox are available, while the standard maximum gross weight is 3,500kg. While this any-driver mass will be welcomed by some, it should be noted that payload is pretty meagre (325kg before options), so the 4,500kg chassis is the one to have.

After all, this is a motorhome on which you’ll want all the toys. The £4,490 M Pack (including everything from the 10.25in MBUX dashboard display with sat-nav and reversing camera to keyless starting and an electronic handbrake, plus automatic headlights, etc) is an essential starting point, but it’s worth noting, too, that UK models come as standard with carpets, Combi 6EH heating, a second leisure battery, oven, three-burner hob, corner steadies and external shower over and above the continental spec. However, with the chassis and engine upgrades, auto’ gearbox, leather trim, alloy wheels and other details

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 71

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New ’vans

BUY A RAPIDO FROM… In Ireland Rapido has dealers north and south of the border – Thompson Leisure in County Down and Cara Motorhomes in County Limerick.

Then, in England, there are five outlets representing the brand – Spinney (Knutsford) and Brownhills (Newark) look after the Midlands and north, while Simpsons is in East Anglia, Highbridge covers the southwest and the company’s original dealer, Wokingham Motorhomes, is in Berkshire.

WHO IS RAPIDO?

In 1961 the first Rapido folding caravan marked the genesis of the brand. It was followed by the first motorhome (based on Renault Trafic) in 1983. Since then the company has built motorhomes on Renault Master, VW Transporter and Mercedes Sprinter, but predominantly the Fiat Ducato. It introduced Fiatbased A-classes in 1992, with the first Mercedes Sprinter-based 9M A-classes arriving in the UK in 1999 (there were Merc low-profile 7M models for a while, too).

Then, in 2007, a completely new Rapido range arrived, encompassing the latest chassis from both Mercedes and Fiat, the Merc models still retaining the 9M title and now featuring different styling (with grey sides) to the Fiats.

The 2014 season saw a reduction in the Mercedes range before the French company dropped the three-pointed star for 2015.

such as a memory foam mattress topper and double-glazed cab side windows, this particular M96 topped out at £105,100.

Inside, the M range is said to encapsulate the best of the existing Fiat-based 80dF and Distinction ranges. It has striking, new, angular top lockers in a high-gloss white finish, while the heated double floor (with full-width external storage) allows a flat floor throughout the living area. There’s a large garage at the rear with electric height adjustment for the bed above.

Heating is by Truma (blown-air) as standard

72 |

| FEBRUARY 2020

but can be upgraded to the Alde Arctic Comfort Plus wet radiator system as an option.

The side settee lounge is virtually de rigeur in 2020 but, as ever, it feels more spacious in an A-class. The fold-in-half tabletop helps, too, while armrests and scatter cushions are welcome additions to the sofas.

Centrally located on the nearside, the kitchen has a fashionable burners-in-line hob to free up preparation space, while the oven is mounted in a convenient position. There are three drawers (locked by a single rotary knob), plus illuminated holders for kitchen roll and

spices. The 149-litre fridge/freezer (with automatic energy selection) is opposite.

At the rear, the bed slides back to create more space for changing (it’s quite tight with the sliding bedroom doors closed) as well as a comfy place to recline. There are the usual his and hers wardrobes but the bedside pigeonholes are a neat and useful addition.

Then, completing the floorplan are the separate toilet (very smart, as you’d expect of a Rapido) and shower (a good size with central drain) – both areas have roof vents and can be closed off from the forward living space.

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2014 SWIFT KONTIKI 625 BLACK EDITION. FIAT 3.0 JTD 4 berth, 4 seat belts, 14,000 mls. Rear island bed, front lounge with swivel Capt seats. Big bathroom, Fabulous spec. Spoil yourself!..................................................................................£50,000 2012 RAPIDO AUTOMATIC 646. FIAT 2.3 JTD (150 BHP). 3 berth low profile, 4 seat belts. 19,000 mls. Smiley front, French bed, solar panel, rev. camera, awning, Air Con, Cruise etc ............................................................................................£37,500

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2008 AUTOSLEEPER NUEVO PEUGEOT 2.2 HDI (130 BHP) 6 Speed. 2 berth low profile. 49,000 mls. swivel Capt. seats, end kitchen, long sofas or double bed, sep. shower, recessed swning, bike rack. Fabulous compact coachbuilt ..............£29,500 2008 HORIZONS UNLIMITED CAVARNO 2. FORD 2.2 TDi (130BHP) 2 berth SWB hitop, 39,000 mls. Full FORD history.

Swivel front seats, 4 seat belts, shower, cass toilet, microwave, recessed awning, air con metallic light blue ...........£24,500 2007 AUTOSLEEPER MEZAN PEUGEOT PARTNER 2.0 HDI 2 berth mini GRP coachbuilt, 45,000mls, 2 singles or double, H&C water, blown air, 3 way fridge, toilet, awning. Perfect vehicle and 50mpg to boot. ........................................................£19,500 2003 AUTOTRAIL TRACKER EKS FIAT 2.0 JTD SE MODEL. 2 berth low profile, 44,000 mls, front lounge making two singles or double, pass swivel, end kitchen, sep shower & toilet, recessed awning, terrific spec............................................£19,995 2003 AUTOSLEEPER RAVENNA PEUGEOT 2.8HDI. 1 owner. 54,000 mls. Full history. 4 berth. Lovely L shaped rear lounge, pass.swivel, shower, removable carpets, blown air, roll out awning. Easy peasy parking at under 20’ long ...............£20,000 2000 AUTOSLEEPER SYMBOL PEUGEOT 1.9 TURBO DIESEL. Rare 4 berth MWB hitop 86,000mls, shower, cass toilet, pass. swivel, double or 2 singles, blown air, oven, awning, bike rack. The ever popular .......................................................£16,000 1998 AUTOSLEEPER DUETTO FORD LWB 2.5 Diesel. 2 berth, 2 singles or double, shower, cass toilet, blown air, oven, pass, swivel, awning, bike rack, Perfect FTB ..........................................................................................................................£11,250

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1998 COMPASS NAVIGATOR 360E. VW 2.5 Turbo Diesel LWB. 4 berth. 53,000 mls. Two long sofas, end kitchen with oven, corner bathroom, overcab double, pass. swivel, roll out awning...................................................................................£13,500

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Buying advice

Pre-owned perfection?

Many new A-classes are now priced at over £100k but buying used can make things much more affordable…

Y

ou might just bag a new Itineo or Roller Team A-class for around the £60,000 mark, but most A-classes are considerably costlier in the 2020 season. Even relatively ‘entry-level’ (a term that never really applies to A-class vehicles) can top £80k. The latest Hymer Exsis-i 580 (see page 36), for example, is £84,360 when spec’d up with the 160bhp engine upgrade and nine-speed automatic transmission which complete a desirable package (as seen at Travelworld).

What, then, if your motorhome dreams are all

A-class-shaped but your lottery numbers steadfastly refuse to come up and you haven’t got a city trader’s pension to cash in? Well, brands like Bürstner, Hymer, Pilote and Rapido – as well as others – have a long history of selling A-classes in Britain, so there’s no shortage of pre-owned examples at dealers around the country. Here we’ve just rounded up a selection of 15 but it’s worth noting that retailers that sell A-classes in quantity new (eg, Travelworld, SMC, Premium, Pullingers and Camper UK) are more likely to have used examples,

2008 ADRIA VISION 677 SP

while some substantial retailers have little or no A-class stock because it’s not their area of expertise.

Here we’ve got A-class models that are all from highly respected makers (doubly important in this category) and haven’t covered intergalactic mileages – and yet prices start at just £21,995. Online we found even cheaper examples, down to less than £15k, but you’d need to tread more carefully with private purchases (especially with the usual caveats about vehicle history and checking for any potentially wallet-wilting water ingress).

2013 ADRIA VISION 647 SG £32,995

£37,995

The Vision was Adria’s first ever A-class range but it was well received, with a sister model being this magazine’s Motorhome of the Year in 2006.

Unusually, it was based on the Renault Master, rather than the more familiar Fiat chassis, but that resulted in a softer, more cossetting ride quality.

This sub-7m model has a 3,850kg gross weight and has only done just over 20,000 miles. Its layout looks spacious and there’s a French bed at the rear offside. The washroom includes a separate shower and the kitchen has an oven above the large fridge/freezer. An awning and bike rack are fitted, too.

DEALER highbridgecaravans.co.uk

Five years newer than the Adria alongside, this 647 SG model has, however, covered a similar mileage – still under 4k a year. This one has Renault’s Quickshift 6 transmission which is a robotised manual gearbox similar to Fiat’s Comfort-Matic – ensure you have a test drive to see if you like it.

Half a metre shorter, this version lacks a fixed bed, but still has the convenience of the drop-down cab bed, of course. More importantly, it has a very spacious front lounge, while a small garage (with internal and external access) is incorporated at the rear. Again, it requires a C1 driving licence.

DEALER highbridgecaravans.co.uk

74 |

| FEBRUARY 2020

Pre-owned A-classes

2014 BAVARIA ARCTIC I 60

2008 BÜRSTNER ELEGANCE I 821 G £41,995

£49,990

We’d usually recommend steering clear of brands that are little known as A-class motorhomes require a bit more engineering than standard coachbuilts.

There’s nothing to fear here, though, as Bavaria is simply a sister brand of Pilote. Only the décor and external graphics are different from the Galaxy and both are built in France.

This particular model is especially interesting as it’s just a fraction under 6m long and yet it seems very spacious inside. There’s a generous end washroom, too.

Built on a 3,650kg chassis, this Arctic has the 150bhp engine which has a good dose more torque than the standard 130 motor.

DEALER camperuk.co.uk

Over eight metres long and on a tagaxle, six-wheeler, Al-Ko chassis, this Bürstner looks just the thing for longterm touring. Amazingly for something that seems designed for the BIG TOUR, it’s only done 28,000 miles.

It comes with a towbar, which could be useful as you might want to carry alternative transport on a trailer with something so long. Or you could just load bikes into the big rear garage (above which is a transverse double bed, rather than the island you’d expect in 2020).

With a drop-down double up front, this could work well for family touring, especially as the front lounge is as roomy as they come.

DEALER nickwhalemotorhomes.co.uk

2015 BÜRSTNER VISEO I 720 G

2013 BÜRSTNER GRAND PANORAMA £54,995

£79,900

The Viseo range is no longer part of the Bürstner portfolio but this model still looks quite contemporary. Notably, it’s a slimmer body than most A-classes at 2.2m. That will be a boon when touring more remote locations with narrow roads. Power unit is the standard 130bhp Fiat with manual gearbox.

The layout features an island bed, while the washroom has a neat swing-wall arrangement to use the space well, and the lounge has the typical half-dinette. It’s in Sovereign spec, so expect plenty of standard equipment here. Better still, this example has only done 6,729 miles, so it should still feel almost like a new ’van.

DEALER chelstononline.co.uk

Nearly £80,000 is a lot for a six-year old motorhome but this is a one-of-akind ’van. The Grand Panorama name is appropriate here because this is the biggest windscreen ever seen on a motorhome. The views of the Alps from the driving seat will have to be seen to be believed.

The rest of the vehicle ain’t ordinary, either. This is a 5-tonne tag-axle A-class that’s close to 9m in length. There’s a spacious front lounge that’s upholstered in cream leather, while the island bed at the rear is hidden behind a central washbasin and vanity unit. Not one for the shy and retiring.

DEALER premiummotorhomes.com

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 75

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Buying advice

2007 DETHLEFFS GLOBEBUS I3

2005 EURA MOBIL INTEGRA 636 SL £29,990

£28,995

Here’s an unusual A-class. It’s unusually compact at just 5.99m long and has highly distinctive, rather Americanised styling which was typical of Dethleffs of this era. Yes, it’s 12 years old, but it’s only done 57k miles in that time with three owners.

The layout is unusual, too! There’s a very UK-style rear U-shaped lounge but, unlike in British rivals, you won’t be making this into a bed every night as there’s the A-class drop-down bed up front.

It’s got the 3-litre 157bhp engine which should give potent performance in something so small, and comes with a bike rack, awning, solar panel and reversing camera.

DEALER nickwhalemotorhomes.co.uk

Eura Mobil was quite a big player in the UK A-class scene in the mid noughties but most of its vehicles were Fiat Ducato-based.

Here’s a rare Mercedes chassis version with the 2.7-litre five-cylinder diesel engine and semi-auto’ Sprintshift transmission (which is a bit of an acquired taste).

There’s plenty to like here, though, including a settee that can be joined up to the pullman dinette to create a huge L-shaped sofa. There’s a separate shower in the spacious washroom and storage in the double floor, both features that suggest this Integra was ahead of the pack.

At 6.57m long it shows how trends have been towards larger A-classes, but with only 41k miles, there should be loads of life left in this German ’van.

DEALER marquisleisure.co.uk

2002 HYMER B584

2009 NIESMANN ARTO 69G

2005 HYMER B654 £21,995

£31,995

£39,900

Just over 20 grand for a Hymer A-class?! Yes, it’s really possible to get such an iconic motorhome for so little.

OK, it’s approaching 20 years old but Hymer quality in this era was way ahead of most of the opposition and this example has just 56,000 miles recorded.

A bigger issue could be that it’s left-hand drive; unnerving, perhaps, if you’ve never driven from the ‘passenger seat’ but a boon if you’re planning to do most of your touring across the Channel.

The bar-style layout incorporates a third captain’s chair behind the cab and a long settee opposite. For two people this lounge design is impossible to beat.

DEALER m-d-g.co.uk

Bored with white boxes? This all-blue Hymer could be just the ticket, as well as standing out from the crowd on almost any campsite. It’s a right-hand drive example with 42k miles on the clock, and it has the 127bhp 2.8JTD engine of the older X2/44 Fiat chassis.

Inside this 6.99m motorhome is a fixed bed layout, but not the island bed design you’d see today. The French bed is low, so easy to access, but you’ll have to climb over your partner to get out if you’re the sleeper nearest the wall. Note that you’ll need a C1 category licence to drive this one.

DEALER m-d-g.co.uk

Tell your motorhoming friends that you’ve bought a Niesmann + Bischoff and they may be looking for you to share your Euromillions lottery win with them, such is the status of this German marque. This one, however, has had just two owners and its 4-tonne chassis should ensure a good payload. That’s especially important here as the layout features a transverse fixed bed over a large rear garage.

Your 40 grand outlay also gets you the 3-litre motor and leather trim. The kitchen has a supersized fridge/freezer with oven above (short chefs will need a ladder).

DEALER premiummotorhomes.com

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| FEBRUARY 2020

Pre-owned A-classes

2014 PILOTE RÉFÉRENCE G690 LR

2007 RAPIDO 9048DF £46,995

£33,995

Pilote has a very long history of selling A-class motorhomes in Britain and this one is at the company’s first UK dealer, Hayes Leisure. It’s also a model that seems particularly well suited to British motorhomers, with an extra-large front lounge that isn’t even encumbered with a fixed table.

Aft, the G690 LR has a full-width end washroom, while the L-shaped kitchen includes a UK-style slot-in cooker with separate oven and grill. With less than 20k miles recorded and a sub-7m length there’s plenty to like here, more so because of all the options fitted, including a Van Bitz alarm, refillable gas cylinders and solar panels.

DEALER hayesleisure.co.uk

This Rapido was the brand’s best seller in the UK for a number of years, with its popularity based on a layout that put spacious lounging comfort first. The main bed is the drop-down in the cab, so it works best as a two-berth (with occasional passenger-carrying ability).

Unlike some rivals, its double floor also means that there’s good storage, despite the lack of a fixed bed.

This example has the powerful and desirable 3-litre engine upgrade and has covered 39,000 miles. It’s a modest six-and-a-half metres longer but feels bigger inside and has a good kitchen with waist-level oven/grill and huge fridge/freezer.

The washroom has a separate shower.

DEALER m-d-g.co.uk

2010 RAPIDO 986M

2014 RAPIDO 803F £39,995

£48,995

Rapido has just returned to building on the Mercedes chassis, as you can read on page 71. However, the new M96 specified as per the show model would set you back £105k. Here is its forebear at just under £40k and with less than 14,000 miles recorded. It’s got the powerful 3-litre engine and auto’ gearbox, too.

Inside, it’s classic Rapido with warm, rich wood tones but a classy look, while the (currently fashionable) side settee lounge shows how cyclical motorhome design can be. The French bed at the rear may not be as convenient as an island bed, but it does allow this luxury motorhome to measure usefully less than 7m overall.

DEALER highbridgecaravans.co.uk

Here’s another example of an A-class that’s as short as many a van conversion – just 5.99m from bumper to bumper. And yet, despite its diminutive size, this Rapido (sadly no longer part of the range) has a fixed bed and a garage. And because it’s small, it even has a practical payload on a 3,500kg chassis.

The base vehicle, of course, is a Fiat Ducato, in this case fitted with the 130bhp motor and six-speed manual gearbox. It’s also got four seatbelts and a drop-down bed up front, so the grandkids could come, too – or you could have a double bed each!

DEALER becksmotorhomes.com

whatmotorhome.co.uk | 77

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2001 ELDDIS AUTOSTRATUS 2000 TS C

Spacious front lounge

£15,500

D Petrol engine won’t match diesel MPG

How times change. Back at the start of the new millennium petrol-engined motorhomes were still readily available, although fashion was moving – long before Dieselgate – towards diesel and, increasingly, turbo-diesel options. However, the former were slow and the latter expensive, while the 2-litre petrol Peugeot was smooth and refined and cheaper to buy than either. If you’re not planning to do a big mileage – and this ’van has covered an average of just 1,700 miles for each of its 19 years – there’s no reason to avoid the unleaded-drinker.

The Autostratus was Elddis’ upmarket range, although this one is under 6m long – ’vans have got bigger over the past two decades. The layout is an old favourite with an end kitchen and corner washroom, but where you might expect to find a four-seater dinette alongside a side settee, here there’s just a two-seat version. That means there’s a nice wide central aisle and easy make-up of twin single beds.

2004 AUTO-SLEEPER SYMBOL ES C

Four travel seats

£16,900

D Only two berths

The Symbol is one of the motorhome industry’s evergreen success stories. It was a gentle evolution of the previous Symphony and remains a popular part of the Cotswold converter’s range to this day.

Of course, at 15 years old, this one is based on an older generation of Peugeot but the advantage of that is that it’s smaller – overall length is 5.28m. Unlike the Elddis above, this one sups from the black pump, while it also has power steering, central locking and electric windows.

The ‘ES’ suffix here means ‘extra seat’ so there are four travel seats – the more common standard Symbol has a long sofa on the offside and just a trio of seatbelts. Just as important here is the beautifully crafted light oak furniture from the days when Auto-Sleepers was famed for its top-notch cabinetwork, all made in-house. And while the washroom might look poky, it cleverly expands across the aisle to make a generous changing room.

2003 AUTO-SLEEPER DORSET C

Stylish in silver with alloys

£18,400

D Not as well-known as Symbol

When is an Auto-Sleeper Symbol not an Auto-Sleeper Symbol? When it’s a Dorset. Let us explain.

At this point in time Auto-Sleepers had become part of the same group as the Marquis dealerships and it decided to strengthen that link by building special edition models exclusively for its sister company. These models used proven layouts and designs and were named after English counties.

One such model was the Dorset – basically a Symbol with different upholstery, silver paint, bolder graphics and a few extras, like the alloy wheels seen here.

The layout features swivel cab seats, which turn to face a settee opposite the sliding door and a single forward-facing rear travel seat.

The kitchen is on the offside and includes bold blue ceramic fittings – a hob with oven and grill and a sink with an integral draining board (something rarely seen on new ’vans). In the nearside corner is a compact washroom with tip-up basin and bench cassette toilet.

❯❯ whatmotorhome.co.uk | 79

Dealer forecourt £19,500

2004 CI CARIOCA 5 C

Low mileage and perfect for families

D Only 84bhp from 2-litre diesel

This is a great example of the slow depreciation that can make motorhoming such an affordable hobby. This Italian coachbuilt was priced at £22,799 brand-new – so that’s not much more than a £200 per annum reduction in value. And, with just 33k miles on the clock we wouldn’t be surprised to see such a glacial depreciation rate to carry on for the foreseeable future, while the 2-litre diesel engine should provide frugal (if hardly rapid) touring.

Most importantly, this is not the usual couples’ camper but a coachbuilt designed for family life. It has bunk beds across the rear (each with a privacy curtain), while mum and dad will sleep in the luton and guests could be accommodated by converting the dinette into another double bed. Unusually for a ’van of this age (and furthering its kid-friendly credentials), the Carioca also has a separate shower in its fully moulded washroom.

£27,900

2009 ELDDIS SUNSTYLE 180 C

Six berths and two lounges

D Limited headroom in overcab

This is another family-orientated motorhome but it takes a completely different route to the CI above. Rather than having bunks, the Elddis boasts two lounges. Up front there’s a pullman dinette (similar to the CI, but here with three-point seatbelts on both the forward and rearward-facing benches). At the rear there’s a U-shaped lounge, which, like the dinette, makes into a double bed. The third double is in the luton where headroom is rather tight.

With six berths and six travel seats, this is a longer ’van than the Carioca – 7.15m plays 6.34m. But it’s also a newer generation of base vehicle and that will really show from behind the wheel. Power unit here is a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel. It’s only recorded 33,000 miles.

Better known as an Elddis Autoquest, this Sunstyle is simply a dealer special edition version which differs only in details of décor and spec. It comes with an awning and bike rack.

£27,900

2007 EURA MOBIL INTEGRA 700 EB C

An A-class for under £30k!

D Eura Mobil has limited representation here

How about this for a motorhome that was ahead of its time? Some manufacturers have only quite recently cottoned on to the appeal of fixed single beds but Eura Mobil was offering such a set-up 13 years ago. Not only that, but this Integra has a good-sized garage beneath the bedroom. And, if you need more berths, there’s the usual A-class drop-down bed in the cab.

Although 2007 saw the arrival of the X2/50-generation Fiat chassis, this is an older X2/44type. However, it has the top-of-the-range 2.8JTD engine for decent performance and the way the Fiat fascia is integrated here is something of a masterclass. It’s a right-hand drive vehicle, too, with less than 40k miles on the clock.

A surprise, perhaps, in a German ’van of this era is that the kitchen comes with a fitted oven, while the furniture looks solidly made and the washroom (opposite) includes a separate shower.

DEALER DETAILS BTA Motorhomes, Redhill Service Station, Winchester Road, Wickham, Fareham PO17 5HE 01329 834131 btamotorhomes.co.uk

Motorhomes 80 |

| FEBRUARY 2020

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Buying advice

Words Richard Dredge

Mind the GAP If you’re buying a ’van on finance, you may need to consider this extra protection

S

hould your motorhome be written off or stolen soon after you take out a finance agreement on it, you could find yourself in a nasty situation. That’s because you could owe more than the amount of equity that you have in the vehicle, especially if you’ve put down a small deposit and the motorhome depreciates heavily within the first few months. To avoid getting into financial difficulties, the solution can be to take out GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection) insurance, which pays out the difference between the amount you paid for your motorhome and the amount that the insurance company says it’s now worth.

In theory, you don’t have to take out GAP insurance when you sign up to a finance agreement, but a lender may insist that you do so if you’ve paid only a small deposit. Put down a large deposit on your ’van and there’s almost certainly no need to pay for GAP insurance, as the chances are minimal of you owing more than your vehicle is worth, in the event of a total loss.

Of those who do take out GAP insurance, most people pay for it as a one-off fee, but it’s usually possible to add the cost to your monthly finance repayments.

82 |

| FEBRUARY 2020

HOW IT WORKS If you were to buy a motorhome for £55,000 and write it off after six months (or if it was stolen), your insurer may offer you £45,000, because that’s what the trade guides say it’s now worth. But if you still owe more than £45k on the loan, you’d be in a situation where you owe more than the vehicle is worth, potentially leaving you well out of pocket and you could be stuck making repayments for a vehicle you don’t have. That’s where GAP insurance – of which there are three main types – comes in.

The first type of GAP insurance is Return-toinvoice, which pays the difference between your insurer’s maximum or total loss payment and the exact price you paid for your ’van. Return-to-value cover pays the difference between your insurer’s maximum payment and the value of your ’van when it was new; this cover is aimed at anyone who bought their motorhome secondhand. The third type of GAP insurance is Vehicle replacement cover, which pays the difference between the insurer’s total loss payment and the cost of replacing it with an equivalent new vehicle. This third option works for anyone who wants to replace their ’van with a new model; it saves you from having to pay the difference

if a like-for-like new ’van has become more expensive than what you originally paid (likely if a change of model year has occurred in the meantime).

The key thing to bear in mind is that many – but not all – motorhome insurance policies come with new-for-old cover. This guarantees that in the event of a total loss your ’van will be replaced with an equivalent new one, as long as you’ve owned it from new and it’s no more than 12 to 36 months old, depending on the insurer’s terms and conditions. As a result, there’s usually no need to buy GAP insurance if you bought brand-new.

If you do decide that GAP insurance is for you, it doesn’t have to be bought with your vehicle finance; there are lots of specialist firms that can provide cover independently. GAP policies can last for up to five years and it’s possible to take out such cover on used vehicles, although the ‘value gap’ will be less as a motorhome depreciates more slowly as time goes on.

If you don’t take out GAP cover, you don’t have a newfor-old policy, and your motorhome is a total loss, your insurer will pay out for a replacement motorhome of equal value to the one written off, forcing you to buy a suitable used motorhome – which is just how it works in the car insurance market.

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2005 55 Fiat Avondale Seascape 5-CSX 3400kg 2.8 JTD 41163 miles 3 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2005 54 Peugeot Autocruise Starfire 3400kg 2.2 HDI 60108 miles 2 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2006 56 Iveco Autocruise Pinto - Automatic 3500kg 2.3 T Diesel 39019 miles 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2004 54 Fiat Ace Modena 3400kg 2.3 JTD 41726 miles 2 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

£50,995 £42,995 £42,995 £41,995 £41,995 £40,995 £39,995 £38,995 £38,995 £36,995 £36,995 £36,995 £36,995 £31,995 £30,995 £29,995 £29,995 £25,995 £21,995 £19,995 £19,995 £18,995 £17,995

USED CARAVANS Swift Fairway 635 Platinum Edition 20’10’’ 1730kg 1570kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £19,995 2018 2015 Swift Elegance 645 Twin Axle 20’11”1900kg 1679kg 4 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £18,995 2017 Sterling Eccles Elite 565 18’3” 1700kg 1500kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £18,500 2015 Bailey Unicorn Barcelona Motor Movers20’8’’ 1723kg 1560kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £17,995 2017 Lunar Clubman SR Inc Motor Mover 18’8’’ 1495kg 1340kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £16,995 2016 Elddis Crusader Aurora Inc Mover 18’8”1526kg 1377kg 4 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £16,500 2018 Bailey Pegasus GT70 Brindisi M/Mover19’3’’ 1450kg 1286kg 4 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £16,495 2018 Bailey Pegasus GT70 Rimini 19’6’’ 1431kg 1279kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £15,995 2016 Swift Fairway 570 Inc Motor Mover 18’3’’ 1550kg 1341kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £15,995 2016 Swift Challenger 580 Inc Motor Mover 19’3’’ 1520kg 1364kg 4 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £15,995 2014 Coachman VIP 545/4 Inc Motor Mover 19’ 1630kg 1475kg 4 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £15,995 2017 Bailey Pegasus Rimini 19’6’’ 1450kg 1287kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £14,995 2012 Buccaneer Fluyt Inc Motor Mover 19’ 1800kg 1596kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £14,650 2015 Swift Fairway 530 SR (16 Model) 17’4” 1489kg 1338kg 4 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £13,995 2014 Bailey Unicorn Cadiz Inc Motor Mover 18’8’’ 1498kg 1344kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £13,995 2015 Bailey Unicorn Seville Inc. Mover 15’8” 1369kg 1242kg 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £13,495 2013 Bailey Unicorn Madrid (2014 Model) 18’7’’ 1484kg 1329kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £13,495 2013 Bailey Unicorn Cadiz M/Mover & Awng 18’8’’ 1498kg 1344kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £12,995 2016 Bailey Pursuit Plus 560/5 M/Mover Awng 18’10’’ 1441kg 1276kg 5 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £12,995 2013 Swift Corniche 19/4 (14 Model) M/Mov 18’4’’ 1454kg 1301kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £12,650 2014 Elddis Avante 574 18’8’’ 1500kg 1297kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £11,650 2016 Bailey Pursuit 400/2 Inc Motor Mover 13’9” 1090kg 918kg 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £10,995 2013 Bailey Orion 430/4 17’3” 1247kg 1100kg 4 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £10,650 2014 Elddis Xplore 402 Inc Motor Mover 14’ 1350kg 993kg 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £9,995 2010 Sterling Elite Diamond Inc Motor Mover 15’8’’ 1455kg 1235kg 2 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £9,495 2012 Coachman Amara 450/2 15’6’’ 1335kg 1200kg 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £8,995 2008 Swift Conqueror 480 Inc. Mover 15’7” 1424kg 1210kg 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £7,995 2008 Lunar Clubman ES Inc Mover Mover 19’ 1440kg 1226kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £6,995 2007 Bailey Pageant Monarch (08 Mod) M/Mov 15’10’’ 1238kg 1062kg 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £5,995 2006 Swift Challenger 470 Inc Motor Mover 15’7’’ 1406kg 1230kg 2 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £5,995

Since having moved to our superb premises our selection of used caravans and motorhomes has grown and grown enabling us to offer you a fabulous choice of carefully selected models of all sizes and price.

In addition to our more spacious showground we also have more customer parking and facilities, a more comprehensive accessory shop and extensive superbly equipped approved workshops.

We are here to help you achieve satisfaction in the purchase of your choice of caravan or motorhome.

Don’t forget we take cars and caravans in part exchange and are keen cash buyers of used caravans and motorcaravans. We also offer optional finance packages (written quotations on request).

You are invited to visit our superb location - we’re just off the M5 at junction 30. You can be assured of a very warm welcome.

Visit our website www.martinsofexeter.co.uk DANGER DO NOT SELL YOUR MOTORCARAVAN OR CARAVAN BEFORE SPEAKING TO MARTINS OF EXETER

EXETER M5 PLYMOUTH

D ST R CLY

30

M5 BRISTOL

Mon – Sat: 9.00am – 5.30pm Closed Bank Holidays

MARTINS OF EXETER 01392 446250

Trading since 1929

CLYST ROAD · SANDYGATE · JCT30 M5 · EXETER EX2 7JL

w w w. m a r t i n s o f e x e t e r. c o . u k U p d a t e d d a i l y