DETAILED REVIEW

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Knaus Van Wave 640 MEG Vansation

If you’re looking for a premium chassis to underpin your next motorhome, then the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is the obvious candidate. However, arguably a base vehicle with even more driver appeal is the Volkswagen Crafter – or its nearly identical twin, the MAN TGE. Built in the same Polish factory as the VW, this is the first ever light commercial vehicle from lorry maker, MAN. It’s also the base for an increasing number of campervans and motorhomes from Knaus, which is reducing its dependence on the Fiat Ducato.

This Van Wave MAN 640 MEG Vansation – deep breath before trying to reel that off – is the latest addition to Knaus’ MAN-based line-up. As a ‘Van’ it’s a slim-bodied model (only 2.20m wide) but the ‘Wave’ bit is new as that means it has a drop-down bed. Meanwhile, Vansation in the title tells us it has Knaus’ clever FoldXpand rear end design which saves body length by integrating the Cateye Evolution tail lights (which also incorporate dynamic indicators). It’s a 7m model with a 3,500kg gross weight (but still a respectable payload) and the MEG suffix describes a twin bed layout.              

What’s included

Importantly for a motorhome that will sell as much on its driver appeal as its layout and furnishings, in the UK the MAN is supplied with the top-of-the-range 177PS engine and eight-speed automatic gearbox (a torque converter unit, not the Transporter’s DSG) as standard. It also gets air suspension for the rear axle, alloy wheels, ESP with hill holder, as well as a metallic grey cab that contrasts nicely with the pale grey side walls of the Knaus body.

The body itself has a GRP roof and smooth aluminium sides, while the awning is included in the spec. In fact, the only extra-cost options on this show vehicle were the electric step (£482), nearside bedroom window (£267), and Dometic roof air-conditioning unit (£2,181). Knaus adds considerably to the standard spec for our market.

That includes having twin full-sized loading doors for the rear garage. There’s a light in there on either side, too, and tie-downs are adjustable on rails. Internal headroom is a bike-friendly 1.18m, while the garage can carry up to 250kg. The exterior also includes the Knaus ServiceBox with all the water points grouped together (fresh and waste water capacities are each 95 litres).   

The layout

The layout is typically Germanic, with a half-dinette lounge featuring a tiny jump seat adjacent to the door – it’s more of a footstool for the swivelled cab seat than a place to park your derrière. The permanent table is not too dominant but there’s a slight step in the floor between the lounge and kitchen areas – at least that means all the seats are at a comfortable height.

Not so ideal is that the drop-down bed (1.77m by 1.27m) comes down over not just the seating but also the hob and the doorway – no morning cuppa until upstairs occupants have arisen! The rear beds are better – 1.89m long on the nearside and 1.92m opposite. There are reading lights, USBs and a mains socket at the head of the beds, but also cupboards that stop you sitting up with that early brew.  

The kitchen

The kitchen has just a two-burner hob as standard but an oven – set below the counter – is an option that most UK buyers will surely want (note that the vehicle seen here is to German LHD spec). As seen, there are two super-sized soft-closing drawers and a flip-up worktop extension, while the fridge is a tall/slim 142-litre model.   

The washroom

One of the best features in this high-quality Teutonic motorhome, however, is the washroom, which has an excellent swing-wall arrangement to turn toilet room into showering space. It comes with a bench cassette loo and very well-thought-out storage for all your toiletries.