Full review

From its title, Carthago is subtly suggesting that this A-class motorhome – one of a trio of C-Compactline ‘super-lightweight’ layouts – achieves that universally sought-after goal of a 3,500kg luxury motorhome, drivable by all, and with a hefty payload. So, has the German manufacturer really achieved this, or is it all hype? 

The C-Compactline motorhomes are certainly compact by A-class standards. At 2.12m, they’re much slimmer than most standard coachbuilts. Indeed, they’re hardly wider than a van conversion, while 6.94m is a pretty handy length for a design containing permanent twin beds. So ‘compact’ is a fair description. And the 143’s mass in running order, stated to be 2,925kg, gives an excellent payload of 575kg.

Body construction is wood-free, on an Al-Ko lightweight, low-line chassis with double floor. Roof, nose and floor are all GRP, walls and rear panel are aluminium, and all have plenty of RTM Styrofoam insulation. The featherweight furniture gives no indication of flimsiness, with robust, high-quality, warm Bright Ash woodwork. Beige Antara and fabric upholstery is Teflon Repel protected.

The cab is certainly spacious, with its panoramic A-class windscreen swept by two UK-handed wipers. The fascia slopes down, increasing this ‘balcony view’, so the nose seems closer and more of the road ahead is revealed than in many integrated motorhomes. Coach-style mirrors provide excellent rearward vision and there’s a full-time rear view camera low to the driver’s right. A glance around shows climate control, ESP, traction control and Hill-Start Assist. A top-line Pioneer audio system has Bluetooth and all the expected.

Under the bonnet is the usual Fiat 2.3-litre, Euro VI motor, here in mid-range 150bhp form with the optional Comfort-Matic gearbox. On open, twisting roads the C-Compactline’s Al-Ko chassis and narrow width really make a difference to the driving experience, and the 143 would be an easy, enjoyable motorhome to drive long distances.

The lounge would seat a maximum of five, though the fixed table’s pedestal does interfere with foot space and access to the settee. The cab seats are the best in the house, whereas the soft and squishy offside diagonal seat is rather small, despite its squab pulling forwards. The moveable tabletop can be reached from all seats, but would benefit from an extension. Lounge lighting includes six downlighters in the woodwork around the ceiling, more both above and below the overhead cupboards and also in the overhead Heki surround. During the day, the sunroof, large side window, habitation door’s glazing and the cab’s panoramic windscreen make it all bright and airy.

The 143 has a linear kitchen unit; there’s no oven or grill but at least the three-burner hob has automatic ignition and its split glass lid provides an element of work surface. The large, round, stainless-steel sink with elegant mixer tap also has a split lid, the reverse being a chopping board. The AES fridge tower is as large (160 litres), as the kitchen is small. Kitchen storage is reasonable, with one large, shelved, overhead cupboard, another smaller one alongside, plus two very small shelves, with a mains socket beneath. Below the unit top are four drawers – the top one is shallow for cutlery and the bottom contains a rubbish bin. 

Luxury motorhomes tend to feature a completely separate toilet room and shower, but here they share a relatively confined space. The swivel toilet is rather too high for comfort but the rest is certainly stylish, with a curiously curved but practical resin washbasin moulded into a useful surface. Its mixer tap swivels away to allow easy face washing. Storage is good, with a shelved cupboard below the washbasin, a cubby behind the loo, three wall shelves and a mirror-doored wall cupboard – plus a towel rail, soap dispenser, mug and mains socket. The shower is of the circular ‘Teleporter’ style and has slide-around translucent screens which, when deployed, explain the washbasin’s novel shape.

The two long singles, with extremely comfortable mattresses over sprung slatted bases, are reached via steps. Converting these beds into a double is easy using a slide-out extension incorporating a wooden access ladder. Because the beds are high above the garage, there’s limited sitting-up space under the overhead cupboards, but there are reading lights, handy corner shelves, large side windows and a central Heki sunroof. Surprisingly, there’s no TV, mains or 12V sockets, nor rear speakers.

The cab drop-down bed is manually operated. With the cab seat backrests dropped, it comes down conveniently low, so the side seat is intended for access. As it’s very squishy, this doesn’t provide a secure ‘jumping-off’ point.

In one respect, at least, this Carthago is anything but compact – storage. There’s a huge garage with doors on either side, a mains socket, light and tie-down rails. The larger, offside, door measures 1.13m by 1.00m and the garage’s 1.20m headroom and generous 350kg allowance will easily accommodate a scooter. Inside, capacious wardrobes under the end of each rear bed are accessible via doors, or from above by raising the bed ends. In the lounge, ample storage under the rear travel seats is reached either from above or externally.

A Truma Combi 6EH, sited at the base of the fridge tower, provides heating and hot water, with hot air outlets well distributed, including in the cab and throughout the double floor. In addition, Carthago points out that the aluminium interior walls (lined, of course) work as a heat sink, creating a very cosy, heat-efficient motorhome.

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