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Dethleffs Esprit I 7150-2 EB
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Key Features

Model Year 2021
Class A-Class
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato
Price From (£) 94,490
Engine Size 2.3TD
Maximum Weight (kg) 4,250
Berths 5
Main Layout Fixed Single Bed
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At a glance

Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Al-Ko Price from: £94,490 Berths: 5 Travel seats: 4/5 Length: 7.81m Width: 2.33m Height: 2.98m Gross weight: 4,250kg Payload: 725kg

Full review

The new Esprit is the major story from this Erwin Hymer Group brand in 2021.

A key feature is the new storage double floor with a depth of 26cm, while the interior claims Scandinavian-influenced design. Dethleffs’ Light Moments artificial illumination is said to create a harmonious environment inside these 7.81m-long A-class motorhomes, which now offer four layouts – single beds or an island double at the rear, with an L-shaped sofa and small side seat, or (as is en vogue) two parallel settees up front.

All have an Al-Ko chassis and 4,250kg gross weight, giving over 700kg of payload (before options).

This I 7150-2 EB (priced at £107,445 as seen) was the first example of the new range to reach the UK and we reviewed it at Travelworld in Stafford. It has the more traditional continental lounge (the EBL is the equivalent with twin sofas), while the rear single beds are in the optional low-level position.

Also featured is Dethleffs’ GT Package, which here adds heated (and ventilated for summer!) SKA captain’s chairs, a 75cm by 105cm skylight in the bedroom, LED headlights, 16in alloy wheels, rear corner steadies and extra exterior graphics.

The styling gives the new Esprit a clear family resemblance to the smaller Pulse A-class but with a degree of extra gravitas thanks to the taller (2.98m) body, a result of the double floor.

With the new style of alloy wheels, this is quite an imposing motorhome, while the gentle slope and curve of the rear wall reduces the boxiness of the overall shape.

Aft of the wide (65cm) habitation door there’s external access to basement stowage right across the full width of the motorhome, while the mains hook-up goes up through the floor to avoid a cold spot in the side wall.

A small hatch on the offside reveals the (frost-protected) waste water drain and the valve to empty the boiler but, at the rear, the low beds mean reduced locker space, of course.

Here, instead of a full bike garage, there’s headroom of 0.90m across a width of 1.20m, but you still get a pair of wide loading doors, a 230V socket and an LED strip light right across the width of the space, as well as a 250kg load limit.

Step inside and it’s no surprise to find that this highly regarded brand has pushed the boat out with its modern design. An unusual stone-effect finish is used in the TV area, while the top lockers have an almost metallic look and the seat backs feature an embossed geometric pattern that’s repeated on the kitchen splashback.

The lounge layout itself, though, is conventional, albeit with a large drawer in the entrance area for your shoes and no window (but Dethleffs ‘D’ logo coat hooks instead) behind the single seat.

Over the entrance are the trademark ‘ship’s clocks’ of this Teutonic maker, while the GT Package’s cab chairs with their tall backrests and air suspension are quite a feature.

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There’s a completely level floor as you walk into the cab, too, as well as floor-level lighting, and another unusual touch is the sun blinds provided for the cab side windows – with so much glazing up front that could be a real boon in summer. Above is an electric drop-down bed (for which the claimed dimensions are 2.00m by 1.50m).

Also impressively generous is the headroom in this Esprit, which is at least 2m in the lounge and kitchen. Here, the sweeping curve of the main galley area is another typical design aspect of the brand. There’s a loose sink cover to increase worktop space, while all low-level storage is in drawers rather than cupboards.

Three wide drawers (one for cutlery) sit under the hob, while a taller pull-out under the sink houses twin bins. All the drawers can be electrically centrally locked for travel.

Opposite, the latest tall Dometic fridge/freezer unit with brushed aluminium finish can be opened from either side. Here, though, we discover where form (the lovely shape of the galley) takes precedence over function as the oven (without a grill) cannot be accommodated in the main kitchen and has to be positioned high above the fridge.

Beyond the cooking quarters is the usual split en suite, with the toilet door closing off the back of the vehicle and a second door that glides – it doesn’t just slide, it’s more sophisticated than that! – to separate the bedroom from the washroom zone.

The offside shower is adequate in size and comes with a duckboard and unusual frosted doors that clip together magnetically. Diagonally opposing drains should ensure the water flows away into the 156-litre grey tank (fresh water capacity is 166 litres). The toilet area doesn’t have the bling of, say, a Carthago but there’s useful worktop, an opening window and plenty of mirror-fronted storage.

It’s the bedroom area that could be the reason-to-buy, though. Every rival offers high beds with steps to reach them, but here the low bed option means the mattresses are just 590mm off the floor. The beds are huge, too – 2.22m long on the offside and 2.15m on the nearside.

Of course, it’s not just easy, like-at-home access that is a benefit of the lower beds but the fact that you can comfortably sit up to read or enjoy brekkie in bed. Reading lights are provided and the bedroom’s stylish illumination is a key part of the Light Moments feature.

Usually, with a layout like this, you expect the wardrobes to be beneath the beds, but the low mattresses mean that the wardrobes (with their unusual angular design) hover above the foot of each berth. They are high above your toes, though, so even Bigfoot himself would have no issues with this.

Like all Dethleffs vehicles in the UK, the Esprit gets a significantly enhanced spec here. That includes automatic cab air-con, a leather steering wheel, Combi 6 gas/electric heating (upgraded on this example to the optional Alde radiator system), an extractor fan and twin-lens reversing camera.

The standard 140bhp engine can be uprated to 178bhp (with the nine-speed automatic gearbox here), while other options include hydraulic levelling jacks, air suspension, Rubino leather upholstery, a macerator toilet with black tank, a heat exchanger and various multimedia packages.

 

  
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