Full review

The Terrestra A – the ‘A’ suffix referring to the German word for an overcab, Alkoven – is claimed to be the largest motorhome in its category.

At 8.29m long and 3.19m high, it’s certainly no compact. It’s a striking-looking motorhome, too, with its sextet of five-spoke alloy wheels and massive, forward-jutting luton.

Much of that considerable height is explained by the double floor – with plenty of technology built into it. In fact, the insulated and heated double floor is 37cm deep and incorporates masses of storage, as well as a fully winterised location for the water tanks (150 litres of fresh and 100 litres waste).

The body construction is also completely wood-free, using polyester adhesive joint techniques. Adhesive joints make bolting through the outer walls totally unnecessary, minimising the risk of leakage, and the totally wood-free construction of the walls ensures efficient insulation and protection throughout. There’s peace of mind, too, in the 10-year guarantee against structural leaks, included at no extra cost.

Inside, Eura Mobil uses additional aluminium profiles in wall units and high-quality timber, while weight-saving materials contribute to a very generous payload.

There are three models in the Terrestra A range – an intriguing six-metre rear lounge layout, a seven-metre garage model with transverse rear fixed bed – and this biggie, which – unusually in its class – has twin beds aft (where rivals like the Bürstner Argos have a transverse double). However, these single beds have a new design – joined at shoulder-level, with a sort of V-shaped area at the foot for easy access. Both beds are claimed to be 2.01m long and up to 1.05m wide – generous by any standards and, in many ways, their design combines the best of double and single bed layouts.

Of course, the rear bedroom also sits over a huge garage with handy twin 0.85m by 1.05m external access doors.

All this is built on a Fiat Ducato with Al-Ko tag-axle chassis extension. Power comes from a choice of 130 to 177bhp, 2.3-litre, Euro VI motors, but we can’t really imagine this vehicle pushing its substantial bulk through the air without the ultimate power unit, which is, naturally, what Geoff Cox has specified for this demo model.

Base vehicle spec also includes driver and passenger airbags, air-conditioning, cruise control, rear view camera, captain’s seats with armrests, daytime running lights, ESP including Traction+ and Hill Descent Control.

The living area is also as impressively appointed as you’d expect on an XXL-sized motorhome like this. There’s a flyscreen for the habitation door, kitchen drawers with self-closing action and soft-stop damping, 175-litre fridge/freezer, separate shower with two drains, tap fittings with ceramic cartridges and more.

The lounge’s size also reflects the proportions of the Terrestra, with pullman seating joined by a long settee opposite. An extra bed can be made here, but why bother when the luton is so large? Up there, the overcab has its heater ducting (from the Truma Combi), so the TA 770 EB has berths for four without any bed-making.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read the full version and more in the May 2017 issue of What Motorhome magazine.

You can get a digital version of this latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.