Full review

You can easily spot the new Lyseo Limited motorhome, with its silver Fiat base vehicle equipped with black grille and headlights, cab running boards, Nava Melange upholstery and Bahia décor (which was originally styled to suit southern European tastes).

But, of the 11 Lyseo TD layouts, only four make it into the Limited range (680 G – end washroom, 690 G and 728 G with twin beds and the 744 shown here).

The Lyseo Limited TD 744 is a 7.49m low-profile which comes as a two-berth (with four travel seats) as standard. A front drop-down bed and lounge bed (made from the seats) are both options, taking sleeping capacity up to five. And, if it’s mob-handed touring that you’re planning, you’ll appreciate the generous 697kg payload, but that comes with the requirement for a C1 driving licence as this Lyseo has a 3,850kg maximum gross weight (the shorter 680 G and 690 G models come on a 3,500kg chassis).

Cab spec includes the 130bhp motor, driver and passenger airbags, leather multi-function steering wheel, alloy wheels, ESP and Traction Plus. Remis cab blinds are fitted and there’s a Skyroof XL sunroof overhead.

The real appeal of this model, however, is at the opposite end. Rear lounges might seem like a British phenomenon, but a number of continental makers offer them, too – sometimes with a fresh approach, as here. Rather than a U-shape, the seats are arranged in an ‘L’. It’s a spacious, comfortable space that feels open as there’s no fixed table, while a slim sideboard along the offside completes the area.

What, no table? It might appear that way, but actually a coffee table pulls out (on wheels) from under the sofa and offers a choice of two heights. Reading lights that can be repositioned at will along a rail and large external storage (if not a true garage) under the lounge are more pluses over more conventional UK rivals.

And the rear lounge isn’t the only seating area. You’ll dine up front, where a large fixed table on a pedestal leg serves the single side-facing seat, nearside L-settee and swivel cab chairs. It’s a more comfortable lounge than many of this ilk and, again, there are reading lights that mount anywhere along a rail. Daylight should be in good supply, too, despite the fitment on this example of the second electric drop-down bed above (a £1,590 option).

At the rear, the bed comes right down to seat level once you’ve removed the three settee backrest cushions, and there’s a sliding door to close off what’s now transformed into a bedroom. It’s not an en suite, though, as the washroom is further forward, on the offside. There, you’ll find well-planned ablutions with a separate shower, basin with worktop alongside, swivel loo and ‘hidden’ toilet roll holder. The large wardrobe is opposite.

The 151-litre fridge sits next to the L-shaped galley, which comes with a Triplex half-height cooker with three gas rings and a combined oven and grill. In the far corner, between hob and sink, is a useful amount of worktop, while storage includes two drawers – one for cutlery, one incorporating a waste bin.

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.