Full review

This type of compact A-class – with a layout majoring on a generous front lounge and lacking a fixed bed – was once a best seller for the likes of Hymer and Rapido. And yet neither maker offers anything of this ilk in 2019, for which you can probably blame different tastes in the biggest motorhome markets – Germany and France.

Maybe the Italians think differently, though, or more likely it’s the strength of the relationship between Auto-Trail (as importer) and Roller Team (Tuscan manufacturer and sister member of the vast Trigano Group), for here’s a baby A-class that looks to possess a lot to like for British buyers.

This new-for-2019 Pegaso has a UK-handed layout with a driver’s door that’s actually by the driver and a habitation door on our nearside. That gives it an immediate plus, not just over its very limited range of real rivals, but over most A-classes of all sizes and prices.

The price of the Pegaso 590

The Pegaso 590 adopts a value-for-money approach that puts it in the ‘entry-level’ category as far as A-classes are concerned.

Not only does the £59,995 price tag look appealing, it stands out even more when you realise that there isn’t page after page of options, nor even a must-have pack of extras. You can upgrade the engine from 130 to 150bhp (tempting) or 177bhp (pricey) or go for a Comfort-Matic gearbox; other than that, just consider whether you need a lounge carpet.

Even the bike rack on the back is in the standard spec, as are the 16in alloy wheels and the top-hung, twin-lens driving mirrors.

Air-conditioning, cruise control, radio with TomTom sat-nav, Bluetooth and steering wheel controls, a passenger airbag, heated mirrors, Traction Plus and Hill Descent Control are all included in the price - as is a reversing camera linked to its own display.

The high-backed captain’s chairs – made by FASP – come with integral seatbelts and tilt-adjustable squabs. The wipers are correctly set up for right-hand drive and sweep a decent proportion of the panoramic windscreen.

Pegaso's design and construction

The boxiness of an A-class can be hard to disguise but Roller Team has created a distinctive-looking vehicle that avoids any ‘mobile library’ overtones. Its grey surround to the grille is, perhaps, the boldest feature.

The construction of the Pegaso benefits from Roller Team’s Evo Technology, with Styrofoam insulation, glass-fibre upper and lower coverings on the floor, and a 10-year body integrity warranty. The Italian firm also uses spacers between the chassis rails and floor to reduce creaking. On all but the worst rural roads, the Pegaso seemed to be fairly free of rattles.

Just as the full-width cab with its widescreen windscreen is part of the attraction as you motor along, the same is true when you’re parked up.

Those captain’s chairs swivel easily to take their place in a lounge that belies the size of the motorhome. There’s a true L-shape to the offside sofa, where the inward-facing section is as comfortable as the two-seater settee opposite; seven folk could gather here in comfort.

In the day, you won’t be short of light, thanks to the generous glazing in the cab and wind-up Heki rooflight over the lounge. In the evening, if you switch on all the LEDs it’s too much but it does give you plenty of choice.

The Pegaso's kitchen

In this motorhome kitchen, there’s a Thetford Duplex combined oven and grill. Given that this ’van is just six metres long, it’s hard to see how Roller Team could have given it a better spec.

There’s no pull-out/up worktop extension but probably enough preparation space anyway. A cutlery drawer is found behind the door on the end of the galley, where you’ll also discover a very long (760mm) slide-out surface that’s perfect for storing non-perishable foods.

The tall fridge boasts a 141-litre capacity and a useful bottle drawer in its base. There’s a pull-out pantry unit for even more storage.

The height of the cassette loo is a shame. Mounted on the plinth, I sat with legs stretched out on tippy-toes - anyone shorter than my 5ft 10in would really struggle.

Leg and shoulder room on the throne are fine and, despite a step up into the shower tray, there’s still 1.94m headroom in the proper separate cubicle, with bi-fold door and twin drain holes.

The washroom has a large mirror, plenty of storage, a roof vent, an opening window and a lock on the door, but just a shelf for your loo roll and no hooks for towels.

The drop-down double bed

No fixed bed, but sleeping comfort is every bit as good as most permanent beds. All you have to do is tip the cab seats forward and pull the double bed down from the ceiling.

A major advantage over any drop-down bed in a low-profile model is that you don’t instantly lose all your lounge. Both settees, and the table, remain fully accessible.

It’s also possible to turn the lounge into a double bed, though you’ll then have to scale across this to reach the cab berths.

Despite the generous kit level, this Pegaso boasts over 600kg of payload on a 3.5-tonne chassis – another benefit of going smaller. And that spec goes on to include 6kW gas/electric Truma Combi heating and a roof-mounted solar panel.

Build quality impressed, too – Roller Team has come a long way from its budget roots, with the solidity of the furniture being impressive in this Pegaso.
 

You can read the full version of this motorhome review in the March 2019 issue of MMM – click here to buy a digital back issue.