Full review

Back in February, WildAx launched its biggest and most expensive motorhome yet. The £70,000, seven-metre Elara is one of a number of new models to take advantage of the latest Mercedes Sprinter, here in rear-wheel drive form. The first Elara (which we tested here) was the double bed version (with an almost island bed feel to its longitudinal bedroom); now, for 2020, a single bed derivative follows.

Apart from the bed layout, the new model is exactly as per its forebear. That means a van conversion designed to be fully winterised and suitable for off-grid camping. So, there’s Grade III insulation and a Truma Combi 4 gas/electric heater with iNet (for control from your smartphone). Just as crucially, the fresh water tank (a generous 120 litres) is inboard and the waste tank is insulated. And to back up the claims about suitability for wild camping, the Elara boasts two 100Ah leisure batteries and a 40-litre underslung gas tank.

The Elara has also been designed as a pure two-berth motorhome, so there are no rear travel seats. On site, however, the Mercedes cab seats swivel to join a small offside settee with curved backrest. Two tables are provided.

The kitchen comes with the latest Thetford induction hob with two gas rings alongside, as well as a built-in 800W microwave mounted above the 141-litre fridge/freezer with bottle drawer and automatic energy selection. There’s a Thetford Duplex oven/grill, too, so the Elara has all the culinary bases covered.

There are plenty of curves inside this motorhome, not least in the washroom wall, while inside the little room are a bespoke shower tray, corner basin and ceramic bowl loo. In practice, this is a surprisingly good space in which to shower, too.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read loads more like it in What Motorhome magazine. You can get a digital version of the latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.