Full review

Words and photos: Peter Vaughan

The Mobilvetta Tekno Line K-Yacht 59

Hymer and Pilote established the A-class breed in the UK, but models like the former’s classic B544 weren’t big motorhomes; they didn’t need to be because the main bed was a drop-down one above the cab. Such models have always been popular here, but their appeal on the Continent must have waned as they are very hard to find in current ranges.

It’s great, then, to see this new addition to Mobilvetta’s K-Yacht line-up for 2022. Not only is it spacious for its size, due to the lack of a separate bedroom, but it’s remarkably compact, too, at just 5.99m long.

You can thank the buying power of Marquis (Mobilvetta’s UK importer and sister company in the Trigano Group) for the inclusion of such a Brit-friendly model in a portfolio that first appeared on our shores in 2017.  Its Anglification even extends to a UK-handed format, with the driver’s door actually serving the driver and the habitation door on the nearside.

This K-59 is the baby of a five-model range this season, but all K-Yachts get a new look. That’s most obvious in the bold front grille design emblazoned with the Mobilvetta logo in chrome, but there’s also a squarer profile where side walls meet the roof (making for easier awning fitment). Body construction is described as iTech, which is 100% wood-free.

Another significant change is under the skin, as all the 2022 models are on a 4,400kg chassis. You’ll have no worries about the adequacy of the payload, but you will need a C1 licence, precluding some buyers trading down from larger A-classes.    

What’s included

On the road, you’ll appreciate Marquis’ decision to equip all the Mobilvettas with Fiat’s latest 160bhp motor and nine-speed automatic transmission as standard (although our test vehicle was a prototype with a manual gearbox). It’s the right motor for a motorhome like this and the ultrashort rear overhang makes for an exceptionally stable vehicle.

Unfortunately, the Ducato’s firm ride also endows the K-59 with a number of rattles and this prototype had a particularly annoying squeak, like a supercharged budgie was on board.

Forward visibility is, of course, panoramic and the K-Yacht is easy to place on the road, while the twin-lens bus-style mirrors give excellent rear vision. The standard Zenec Xzent head unit with 6.5in screen also includes the reversing camera’s display (as well as DAB radio and sat-nav), but this was not yet connected on the test motorhome. The windscreen wipers are correctly set up for right-hand drive, but still leave a large unswept area adjacent to the driver’s side A-pillar.

Watch out, too, for the blind spot created by the low-hanging mirror on the offside – caution is required when entering roundabouts.

That aside, it would be easy to fall for this Italian’s good looks; what it lacks in size it compensates for with panache. The spec is typical of a Marquis offering – no factory-fit options at all; just note that the awning and bike rack seen here are extra-cost accessories. Everything else is standard – the 16in alloy wheels, TV aerial, 120W solar panel, framed habitation windows, both doors linked to the remote central locking and even the Trafficmaster tracking system with a 12-month subscription. The Ducato chassis also receives a leather steering wheel with radio/phone switches, cruise control, Traction Plus, ESC with Hill Descent Control, twin airbags and Crosswind Assist, but not the latest electronic instrument cluster.             

The exterior

Externally, the bonnet is released inside via the usual Fiat catch but the letterbox-like opening is as restricted as many an A-class; at least the windscreen washer filler pipe has been extended for easy top-ups.

Despite the K-59’s size and its lack of a fixed bed, it also has some useful external storage – although there’s no double floor. There’s a small locker on the offside, aft of the driver’s door, that could house your mains levelling wedges and mains lead. Then, forward of the gas compartment on the nearside, is another, larger locker. But the main outside storage is at the rear nearside, where a tall hatch measures 1.45m by 0.58m. Inside, there’s over 2m of headroom, a light, a 230V socket and a couple of (slightly flimsy) folding shelves that divide the space if you don’t need its full height. Also on the nearside, the wide entrance door needs no external step (there are two small steps inside) and it comes with a waste bin as well as a pull-across flyscreen.          

The interior

Once you’ve entered, past the fancy back-lit mirror, you’ll have to remind yourself that this is, indeed, a six-metre motorhome – and that Tardis technology is still science fiction. With a full-width 2.35m body extending right into the cab, the vast windscreen and such an open and spacious layout, you’ll be certain that you’re in a bigger motorhome – a much bigger one.

It’s not just space, but style, that’s on offer here, too. The new furniture with duo-tone top lockers and chrome handles looks suitably classy, while the previous ‘eco-leather’ upholstery has been replaced by a new mix of diagonally stitched vinyl and brown cloth. I liked the décor but, as with other aspects of the Mobilvetta’s spec, it’s Hobson’s choice. Side windows with Roman blinds, padded kick panels on the sofas and a soft-touch headlining on the ceiling complete the upmarket ambience.

Rear speakers are fitted, and artificial lighting is comprehensive, with LED strips above and below the top lockers, floor-level lights in the galley, eye-catching blue strips under the drop-down bed and ceiling lamps that incorporate the Mobilvetta logo, but there are no directional reading lights anywhere in the vehicle.

It’s not hard to fall in love with this lounge, though. The cab’s Aguti captain’s chairs somehow seem to be more comfortable for relaxing than driving and they rotate fully, so you can put your feet up on the settees. The sofas, too, are comfortably shaped, but it’s the cab seats you’ll use to view the telly. A TV bracket is fitted above the mirror in the entrance area, but I’d have expected a flatscreen (and possibly a satellite dish as well) to be included at this price level in order to fully live up to Marquis Leisure’s ‘no extras’ billing.

For dining, there’s a large fixed table – perhaps a bit large for what is primarily a couple’s motorhome. It’s sturdy enough, slides in all directions and could serve four people easily, but it would be better still if it folded in half to become less obtrusive. Or maybe Marquis could persuade the Italians to include a UK-style removable free-standing table?

Another aspect I’d change is the small backrest cushion alongside the rear travel seat, which doesn’t align with its neighbour. It looks a tad odd but was, perhaps, another sign of this being a prototype.    

The berths

A big plus of an A-class over a low-profile model with a drop-down bed is that here the bed lowers into the cab, so most of your lounge remains undisturbed – you can even leave the table laid for breakfast.

Just tip the cab chairs’ backrests forward, undo a seatbelt-style catch and the bed swings down easily into position (it takes quite a bit more effort to push it back up). It doesn’t lock into place, though, so there is some small movement (and creaking) if you’re a restless sleeper.

As the mattress is around 1.30m off the floor, you’ll need to use the short ladder to reach your sleeping quarters but, once you’ve scaled that, you’ll find an exceptionally comfortable (though not huge) double bed.

The only light is on the offside, dictating heads at this end, but more of an issue (especially if you take the K-59 back to its Tuscan homeland) will be the lack of a rooflight directly over the bed; the nearest ventilation comes from a large wind-up sunroof mounted further back over the lounge.

Those who like pitch-blackness for sleeping should also note that the K-59’s control panels and blue LED light switches ensure that it’s never totally dark inside.

Should you need an occasional extra bed, it’s a doddle to lower the table and add a large, folding infill cushion (which can live in the tall external locker on the nearside) to bridge the gap between the sofas. It’s a good single berth that might even cater for a couple of kids but it prevents the use of the ladder, making access to the main bed suitable only for the very energetic.

By night, as well as day, the Alde radiator-based heating is another new feature for the K-Yacht this year and it does give a homely warmth, without drying the air.    

The kitchen

The kitchen makes a great first impression. That combined induction and gas hob looks great (and the electric aspect is vastly superior to older-style mains hotplates), while the galley’s design is attractive, with lots of gloss finishes. Even the kitchen roll holder adds a designer touch. There’s an oven/grill, too, just beneath the counter, and a huge fridge/freezer on the other side of the motorhome, so all the equipment boxes are ticked (bar an extractor or microwave).

Worktop space is not so well provided, however, especially once the two sections of sink lid have been removed, and the sole 230V socket in the galley is high up above the hob, which is far from ideal (other mains sockets are at the front of the lounge, adjacent to the TV bracket and in the exterior locker).

Low-level galley storage is fairly limited, but does include two slide-out shelves in the cupboard under the sink, where you’ll also find a cutlery holder. With large top lockers, a big cupboard above the fridge (perfect for cereal packets, etc), and another underneath the wardrobe, however, overall storage for foodstuffs and culinary kit should more than suffice.  

The washroom

There’s plenty of storage in the washroom, too, although the mirror-fronted top locker door does come rather too close to hitting you on the nose as you open it!

Behind the toilet, there’s access into the tall exterior locker but, if the K-59 was mine, I’d add a hanging rail in here, to turn the ablutions area into a true changing room. As it is, the wardrobe is outside the zone, next to the fridge.

That said, space to get dressed or undressed is not as ample as it might, at first, appear. You go up a small step into the washroom but headroom is still 1.92m and this looks like a big space, stretching across the back of the motorhome and enhanced by large mirrors. When you come out of the shower, you might find that room to towel yourself off is not as generous as you’d hoped.

The shower itself, though, is excellent in use and attractively appointed, as well as addressing practicalities such as twin drains and a shelf for your shampoo. There’s plenty of room to use the swivel cassette toilet, too, although the height of the seat may be uncomfortable for those without long legs. That said, this washroom is still a key part of the K-59’s undisputable showroom appeal.

Motorhome supplied by Marquis Leisure, Northampton
Tel: 08000 267777
mobilvetta.co.uk

Insurance: £716
Tel: 0800 975 1307
shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk
For quote details: motorhome.ma/QuoteInfo