Full review

For the 2020 season, Frankia has extended its range of rear lounge A-class models, with two Platin models on the Mercedes chassis. There are two lengths, 8.58m and 8.14m. The longer 8400 gets a C-shaped rear lounge and larger kitchen, but both essentially have much the same layout.

The washroom sits behind the cab, while the kitchen straddles the corridor ahead of a lounge at the rear. There is a large garage below the lounge.

The cab, with a door and step for easier access, offers the 10.25in MBUX multimedia system as standard. The seats also swivel, allowing this to be used as a small lounge area with units behind that can act as coffee tables. One of these has slide-out storage as well as sliding steps for the bed. The bed itself lowers electrically.

The washroom has a shower compartment opposite the toilet cubicle. It can be completely shut off from the bed area, thanks to a sliding panel, while the toilet room door can be swung across to close off this space from the rear. The shower has a glass door, along with twin drains and is lit by modern LEDs in the roof and on the contrasting black panel.

The toilet is a sensible height and sits next to a square basin with a domestic push-to-close drain. There is a metal tap and glass soap dispenser. It is things like the metal tap that set this motorhome apart, while the presence of a radiator here indicates the heating is the Alde ‘wet’ radiator type. Practical features include a bin attached to the door of the under-basin locker, a power socket with cover, plus a locker above that is shelved and offers another power socket.

The central kitchen has a full cooker (part of the UK Pack). This replaces some of the drawers, but there are still drawers below the sink. The sink also gets a pop-out worktop and a cover that slides into a slot to make extra preparation space.

The tap pulls out (á la designer kitchen) for greater flexibility when rinsing pots, etc.

Above here, there are two lockers, plus an open shelf adjacent to a USB and mains socket – this is where the optional coffee machine will sit (also part of the UK Pack).

Opposite the kitchen, there is a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe with three shelves that can be removed and two hanging rails. A tall fridge/freezer has a door that can be opened from either side and there’s an oven above – if you opt for the cooker in the UK pack, this oven is replaced by a microwave. There’s further storage in the form of a half-height sliding pantry to the left of the fridge.

The rest of the space is taken up with a sumptuous U-shaped lounge. There is a big pedestal-leg table, although there are other options available if you don’t want this item. Below the seats you’ll find optional fold-out travel seats. The lounge makes into a large double or you could order the optional drop-down bed here instead.

This is no basic model that you have to add lots of packs to, either. Standard equipment includes the 190bhp engine with seven-speed automatic gearbox, as well as various safety systems (traction control, EBD, ESP and Hill Hold).

Drivers also get semi-automatic climate control, cruise control, auxiliary heating, leather steering wheel, LED main beam and indicators. This high spec stretches to the living area, too, with a package of electrical items that even includes two of the latest 110Ah lithium ferrous batteries.

So, it’s a big motorhome that doesn’t compromise on space or equipment. But it also makes the process of buying a luxury A-class so much easier, without endless options to confuse you.