Full review

Words: Peter Vaughan

Photos courtesy of Frankia

The Frankia Platin Final Six

All good things have to come to an end, they say. In the automotive world, it’s big capacity, multi-cylinder power units that are being squeezed out. Emissions regulations are getting tighter, and smaller four-cylinder engines are the flavour of the times in everything from Porsche sports cars to, well, big Frankia A-class motorhomes.

The 2,987cc, 190bhp motor that has been the flagship of the Sprinter range, and which offers the creamily smooth power delivery that is rarely experienced without six cylinders, is being phased out. Knowing its customers well, however, Frankia predicted much wailing and gnashing of teeth at campsites around the land, so it bought as many V6s as it could before production stopped in Stuttgart. It is offering these last-of-the-line examples in an aptly named special edition, the Final Six.    

Availability

You’ll have to be quick to secure one but the good news is that importer, SMC Motorhomes, has a few on the way here with RHD and, at time of writing, they’re not all sold. Even better news is that Frankia has decided to sweeten this already sugary deal with a load of extra equipment and an all-inclusive price tag. Not such good news, though, is that the Final Six comes in just one size, with just one layout.

Basis of the special edition is the 7900 GD, with a rear twin bed layout. Of course, it’s a rear-wheel drive chassis, too, with the seven-speed automatic ’box and a 5,500kg gross weight. Even with all the extra kit fitted, payload is more than a tonne.   

The interior

To differentiate this special edition from a standard model, there’s a new upholstery mixing leather with microfibre material and embroidered with ‘Final Six’ logos. More importantly, it gets rear air suspension as standard, along with special front dampers and LED headlights. An electric step is added by the cab door and there’s a 5.5m electric awning with LED strip light. Of course, being a Frankia, there’s a large lift-up rear door to access the garage (as well as the usual offside door), but external storage is enhanced here by a separate hatch that opens to reveal two slide-out wire baskets. Then, completing the impressive spec are mineral worktops and habitation air-conditioning.

You can have your Final Six with the drop-down Duo Bed (almost 2m by 2m for lengthways sleeping) in the cab or with the alternative cupboards, as seen here. Unlike the standard Frankia range, though, there’s no choice of cabinetwork, which only comes in the Visby White shown, while the lounge offers the popular side settee format for a spacious, open feeling.    

The kitchen

The kitchen is a good size and we expect UK models to have the full cooker featuring a separate oven and grill, which has long been another Frankia USP. Opposite the galley is a 153-litre fridge/freezer alongside a very generous wardrobe, then beyond that are separate shower and toilet areas on either side, providing en suite facilities for the twin beds at the back.    

What’s included

And, of course, as a Platin model, the Final Six gets the sort of standard spec that you’ll struggle to match elsewhere, including a double floor (up to 348mm deep), Alde heating, four 110W solar panels, two 120Ah lithium batteries, a 270-litre fresh water tank and a 32in TV and Teleco satellite dish.