Niesmann motorhome range overhauled
A new Arto completes the rejuvenation of Niesmann's luxury motorhome ranges
Sitting at the top of the Erwin Hymer Group tree, Niesmann + Bischoff has always been all about luxury. Its focus, apart from a brief foray into low-profiles, continues to be A-class motorhomes. And this year is important as it marks the completion of a journey to overhaul the entire product offering.
This started with the introduction of the Smove low-profile motorhome with its very different interior style. This lightweight range was quickly followed by the A-class iSmove with the same look. Then, last year, the flagship Flair liner-class motorhome was relaunched, featuring the same contemporary style but with more upmarket and innovative features, like a dividing wall that could be opaque or transparent at the touch of a button.
Rachel Scholes Content Editor: Motorhomes
Rachel Scholes Content Editor: Motorhomes
All-new Arto motorhome
The company’s most important A-class motorhome range, Arto, is last, but by no means least, to get this treatment. And this is not just an opportunity to add extra kit and bump up prices. MD, Hubert Brandl, stresses the importance of remaining competitive, even in this luxury marketplace, claiming that, like for like, the Arto offers an unparalleled level of kit at one of the lowest starting prices.
Mercedes Sprinter motorhome
However, possibly the most important news here is the move from Fiat to Mercedes. Based on the front-wheel drive Sprinter, an Al-Ko chassis provides the essential double floor for all the technical aspects of motorhoming (300 litres of fresh and 200 litres of waste water), as well as storage.
You can also specify a fixed 170-litre toilet tank and a 120-litre gas tank. The new Arto motorhome also benefits from the multitude of Mercedes safety systems, many of which are standard for UK models.
There are two models, both with single beds – the smaller Arto 78 (7.82m long similar to the iSmove 6.9 E) and tag-axle Arto 88 (9.06m long and inspired by the Flair 880). In fact, at the launch these two motorhomes were referred to, respectively, as the ‘big iSmove’ and the ‘baby Flair’.
However, although the new motorhomes are actually 300kg lighter than their predecessors, if you’re restricted to a 3.5-tonne driving licence, you’ll have to look instead at an iSmove; the Arto 78 has a 4.5-tonne gross weight, while the 88 weighs in at 5.5 tonnes.
A look inside luxury motorhomes
Inside, the look follows the rest of the Niesmann luxury motorhome family with grey felt wall coverings, which give a very contemporary feel as well as helping with interior acoustics. The Arto has combined some of the best features of the iSmove and Flair ranges, such as the sliding wall washroom in the 78 and the sliding washroom door in the 88.
There’s also a modular aspect to the kitchen that we loved in the Flair, which allows you to specify a full oven and dishwasher or more storage, as well as more wardrobes or different fridges. The standard hob combines an induction cooking zone as well as two gas burners.
Note the main door that can open all the way round, but, if the external storage flap next to this is open it will only open to 90 degrees.
Another option is central locking that extends to all the hatches; this is also customisable. If you just want to unlock the hatches on the passenger side, you can.
It’s also possible to make one of the parallel sofas into a travel seat – the base cushion pivots and the backrest cushion slides out – and this can be paired with a drop-down bed in the cab to make a full four-berth.
The new Smart Caravaning Unit allows owners to connect to the motorhome via an app to control and monitor its on-board systems.
UK prices for the new Arto motorhome start at £163,900 for the 78 and £179,900 for the 88, including the Driving Comfort Pack and the Liner Pack as standard.
The new luxury Arto models are available to view and order from Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld in Stafford and Niesmann’s newly appointed second dealer, Highbridge with branches in Somerset and Devon.
