Bentley Artisan Amber
Key Features
Full Review
The Amber coachbuilt tested here is a new model in the revised Artisan range and is designed to fit under the magic six-metre length limit, making it easier to park and cheaper on some ferry crossings. To fit under this length, the interior is a slightly unusual take on the traditional end-kitchen layout, with a rear corner washroom.
Stuck in Trafic
The Renault Trafic is a rather unusual base vehicle for a coachbuilt motorhome, being more often used for campervan conversions, since it’s a similar size to the VW T5 Transporter. However, it works quite well on a smaller coachbuilt like the Amber, whose designers have made sure the coachbuilt bodyshell isn’t much wider than the Renault cab, making for a motorhome that’s slightly narrower (2.22m/7ft 3.5in), as well as being shorter than most.
The MTPLM figure for the Renault is 3,250kg and the manufacturer quotes a 591.5kg payload within that, so the vehicle is running at over two-and-half tonnes, even before you’ve added all your kit.
First-class lounge
The Amber’s lounge is relatively small, but thanks to the swivelling cab seats, it can easily seat six or more. Even eight people would fit okay, with three on either of the side settees, but it may feel like you’re all queuing to see the doctor.
For two people, the lounge is more than spacious and I found the most relaxing position was to sit on one of the swivelled cab seats and put my legs up on the settee. Being over 6ft tall I had to be a bit careful getting into the cab seats, though, as the headroom above them is very limited. Instead of being cut out, the cab roof is left in place, with the space above it used to make a large overhead storage locker – ideal for bedding.
The only real complaint I could aim at the lounging facilities was the lack of any directional spotlights in the cab area. Actually, there is one other lounge quibble: there’s no in-built flat-screen TV, or even a pre-fitted bracket for one, although there’s a directional roof aerial as standard, plus the mains, 12V and aerial connection points above the sideboard.
A spot of lunch
When dinner is served, the demountable table is easily pulled out of its storage locker above the cab. It’s relatively light, but anyone with limited strength may find it hard to lift down. Once down, the table’s legs are easy to fold out and it sits well between the front settees, providing space for four, although more will be a squeeze.
When you’ve finished dining, putting the table away is a bit harder. There’s a knack to folding the centre-hinged table legs so that they lie flat on the back of the table top. Unusually for me, it took a bit of practice before I could become totally legless!
Cooking on gas... and electric
There’s a stainless steel sink with a chrome-effect metal monobloc mixer tap, but no space for a drainer – though there’s a small metal draining rack on the back of the hinged glass lid over the sink.
You can cook on gas or electric, thanks to the three-burner hob with one electric hotplate. As well as the hob, there’s also a separate gas oven and grill, all with electronic burner ignition.
Work surface is limited if both the hob and sink are in use, but there is a small hinged flap of work surface which sets up in front of the side entrance door.
Opposite the main kitchen unit, a small sideboard houses the three-way fridge, which is well-placed for anyone using the kitchen. It also has two three-pin mains electric sockets, which are sadly lacking in the main kitchen unit. I thought a microwave oven would have been a useful addition..
Keep it clean
Although the Amber only has a corner washroom, I was impressed at how big it felt, plus how cleverly designed it was. To make the best use of the space, a plastic swing-wall is used to house the washbasin and a vanity unit, which then swings over the toilet to open up the space behind to form a large shower cubicle. And, it really is quite a large cubicle. The large square shower tray even has two drain holes, one at each corner. I was pitched on a slight slope and found that the water drained away really well after a shower.
The jet of water from the showerhead is also nicely powerful, so little to complain about here. Even the water control for the shower. I should also mention the lighting in the washroom, which is really good. There’s a total of six LED downlighters, as well as a small roof vent above the shower and a frosted window which can be opened out.
Time for bed
Apparently there’s an increasing trend for friends to go away together, perhaps with two husbands going on a fishing trip, or two wives off on a cake baking weekend – never accuse me of stereotyping! In this case, the Amber can offer two 6ft 6in single beds, with the two settees forming the main part of each bed.
The alternative is to pull the settee bases together and make a transverse double bed, which is also quite long, at 6ft 5in – and wide, at 4ft 9in. You could also sleep lengthways on this double, with your feet on the cab seats, making a truly massive bed.
Conclusion
After a week with the Amber, my conclusions are that it’s a tough little motorhome with a surprisingly versatile and luxurious interior. The fact that there are several permutations when it comes to sleeping means that it’s suitable for couples, or just a couple of friends, or even for a single person and their dog. The washroom is really well executed and feels very spacious, while the kitchen has all you need for a touring holiday, bar perhaps a microwave oven.
I should mention that Bentley Motorhomes also build a model called the Cerise (see MMM September 2011 issue), which is even shorter than the Amber, so could be a good choice for those with limited space on their driveway to store a motorhome.
This motorhome review first appeared in the special Summer issue of MMM
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Our Verdict
Compact and luxurious motorhome that features a high level of standard equipment. Corner washroom is unusual but works well
Disadvantages
