Essential Guide to 2021 motorhomes – Dethleffs motorhomes

Dethleffs Esprit motorhome

Completely revised for this season, the Esprit now offers a range of four A-class models, all of which are 7.81m long.

Choose from an island bed or twin singles in the rear and then inward-facing sofas (indicated by the ‘L’ in the model name) or an L-shaped lounge (with extra side seat) up front.

In the ‘L’ format there’s two rear travel seats, while the more traditional lounge has an optional fifth travel seat to accompany the two forward-facing ones on the L-shape.

Powered by the 140bhp engine, there is an Al-Ko chassis below, which allows for double-floor storage and a step-free living area from cab to washroom. The rear garage can accommodate loads of up to 250kg, too, and there is one-handed operation on the doors on both sides.

The interior sees the use of profiled wood décor and furniture using a Scandinavian design. There is an optional lighting system called Light Moments, which is designed to create a harmonious ambience of enjoyment and relaxation through several light levels.

Kitchens are fully equipped with a hob that has three burners which offer different power levels, a 1,600W microwave and an extractor fan with a non-return valve.

Also, don’t forget the 177-litre fridge/freezer that can be opened from both sides. All UK models will have an oven above the fridge.

Beds – as an island double or singles, remember – have seven-zone comfort mattress and ergonomic slatted wooden frames and there is also an electric drop-down double bed above the cab.

The new Esprit can also be ordered as an Esprit GT (Gran Turismo). This comprehensive package includes a range of special equipment and design elements.

You can choose between the exterior designs in white or black, plus you get 16in alloy wheels, the dashboard with aluminium application and captain’s cab seats.

For enhanced comfort, there is automatic air-conditioning, cruise control and a large roof window.

SPECIFICATION

Price from £91,990
Base vehicle Fiat Ducato Al-Ko
Layouts Island beds or twin singles
Berths 4-5
Travel seats 4 (5 optional on selected models)
Length 7.81m
Gross weight 4,250kg (4,500kg optional)
Payload 715kg

Dethleffs Just 90 motorhome

To celebrate the ninetieth anniversary of the invention of the caravan by the company’s founder, Arist Dethleffs, there is a new motorhome range called Just 90. It offers six low profiles, all of which can be ordered with a drop-down double bed in the lounge as an option.

In terms of layouts, you get two sub-7m models featuring a fixed rear double or twin singles, while the remaining four models are all 7.40m long and provide island or twin single beds in the rear.

In the longer models, as with the Esprit, there is now a choice of the lengthways sofas or the more traditional L-shaped arrangement.

As is befitting of this range’s special edition status, equipment levels are high and include a leather multifunction steering wheel, 70cm-wide habitation door (centrally locked with the cab doors), LED daytime running lights and more.

SPECIFICATION

Price from £50,990
Base vehicle Fiat Ducato
Layouts Island bed or twin beds
Berths 5
Travel seats 4
Length 6.96m or 7.41m
Gross weight 3,499kg
Payload 539kg-599kg

Dethleffs Pulse motorhome

Introduced only a few years ago, the Pulse now has six layouts, all of which are available in either A-class or low-profile form.

All models are 3,500kg, with two models measuring 6.99m and four stretching the tape to 7.40m. Choose between island beds or twin singles. In the longer models, there are also two lounge options.

This year, Dethleffs introduced an illumination concept called Light Moments. This is composed of four lighting levels.

Each of these levels is assigned a specific task, fulfilling functionality, as well as mood and atmosphere and harmoniously combining with each other as an overall concept.

For UK models, this comes fitted as standard along with a huge amount of other equipment, including LED DRLs, cruise control, panoramic skylights in lounges, central locking for the habitation door, oven, Truma Combi 6 E heating and pre-wiring for a solar panel… the list is long.

SPECIFICATION

Price from £59,990
Base vehicle Fiat Ducato
Layouts Island bed or twin beds
Berths 3-5
Travel seats 4
Length 6.99m-7.40m
Gross weight 3,499kg
Payload 374kg-549kg

Highlights of Dethleffs’ 2021 motorhomes

• Three ranges mark te 90th anniversary since Arist Dethleffs built his first caravan: Just 90, Pulse Classic 90 and Globetrotter XLI Edition 90
• Globetrotter XLI Edition 90 limited to just 90 vehicles, each carrying a seal next to the door with its unique number
• Pulse Classic 90 has four low-profile layouts and builds on the launch of the Pulse Classic (with a more subtle contemporary interior than the standard Pulse models) by adding extra kit
• Most ranges are built on Fiat Ducato apart from Mercedes-based Globeline and the Iveco Daily for the Grand Alpa Plus and the Globetrotter XXL
• All Dethleffs motorhomes come with a six-year water ingress warranty as standard
• Lifetime Plus construction is used on models from Esprit and up, with aluminium exterior walls, XPS foam and breathable real wood interior panelling. All other models use the Lifetime Smart construction

​This content featured in The Essential Guide to 2021 Motorhomes, brought to you by the publishers of MMM, What Motorhome and Campervan magazines.