British manufacturer, Auto-Trail, has revealed its 2018 motorhomes ahead of their public debut at the End of Season Finale Motorhome Show at Lincoln on 22 to 24 September and at the NEC motorhome show in October (17 to 22)

The company’s entry-level Tribute motorhomes (both campervans and coachbuilts) have now become fully fledged Auto-Trails in a rebranding exercise for 2018.

Production of Tribute campervans moved to Auto-Trail’s recently enlarged factory in Grimsby from Italy earlier this year, which means all Tribute models are now built in the UK by Auto-Trail.

The three Tribute campervans and seven coachbuilt motorhome layouts continue as before for the coming season, but with revised décor.

The great news for buyers is that Auto-Trail has actually reduced pricing across the coachbuilt line-up of what are now its entry-level Auto-Trail motorhomes. Such a move is to be applauded as many manufacturers are expected to do the opposite and actually increase prices in the coming months.

Auto-Trail has been able to do this by moving these models onto white cabs (metallic grey is now an option) and introducing new Driver’s and Lux Packs, which has enabled it to bring the starting price down to £42,050 for the T-615.

Next up, the Imala, which was previously the entry-level range of Auto-Trail-badged coachbuilts, now comes with a new layout – the 732 (pictured).

At 7.26m long, the Imala 732 (priced from £51,725) supplements the existing (same length) 730 but swaps its lengthways island bed for a transverse island. It comes with a parallel settee lounge as standard, with a half-dinette (that adds rear travel seat) as an option. Hi-line and Lo-line body styles are offered and 3,500kg or 3,650kg gross weights.

All Imalas get a new rear panel, enhanced body construction, improved LED lighting and the option of a Media Pack (£1,149 for am 18.5in Avtex TV, touchscreen radio/CD player with steering wheel-mounted controls, Bluetooth, reversing camera and Status TV aerial or £1,999 with the above list plus a Maxview 65cm self-seeking satellite system).

Tracker motorhomes were once the baby Auto-Trails but the new LB layout (from £59,738) is anything but compact at 7.60m long and with a standard 4,250kg gross weight.

The new Auto-Trail Tracker LB is tested exclusively for the first time by MMM, which is Britain's best-selling motorhome magazine. You can get a digital version of MMM magaizne here. It is the October 2017 issue that carries the Auto-Trail Tracker LB test.

It adopts a conventional lengthways island bed layout with completely separate shower and toilet facilities facing each other across the aisle at the foot of the bed. Hi-line and Lo-line overcabs (ie with or without a bed) are available, while those needing a four-berth can swap the side settee lounge for one with travel seats. The LB’s kitchen comes with a microwave and a slimline fridge/freezer.

Auto-Trail’s Tracker, Apache and Frontier models all get a new control panel with 7in touchscreen, while exteriors feature new 3D graphics.

Finally, there has been a simplification of the company’s V-Line campervan range. The previous V-Line Sport range (with its extra-high GRP roof) has been dropped. In its place comes a new Sports Pack for the SE models (now down to four layouts, with the 605 disappearing).

The Sports Pack (not available on the shortest V-Line, the 540) incorporates a GRP moulded rear panel (replacing the back doors) and a U-shaped rear lounge, plus flush-fitting double-glazed side windows, bow-fronted locker doors, levelling blocks, exterior shower point, a barbecue point in the boot and a tripod base for al fresco use of the table. This option, which also comes with a change from from Victoria to Vienna upholstery, is expected to have a high take-up amongst V-Line buyers.

It is priced at £1,795, making a V-Line 610 Sport from £49,580.

The November issue of MMM magazine will contain a free comprehensive guide to new 2018 motorhomes and campervans launched here for the coming season. You can subscribe to MMM magazine or just buy that single issue when it goes on sale here.