Bürstner Lyseo Sovereign Collection 744 low-profile motorhome

Bürstner’s Sovereign Collection motorhomes mixes proven layouts from the Lyseo range with added value on the outgoing Fiat Ducato cab

The Bürstner Lyseo Sovereign Collection 744 motorhome

Motorhome prices have rocketed since Covid but there are still ways to get a better deal. One route is to opt for the outgoing Fiat Ducato Series 9 cab, rather than the new facelifted model with its unloved slotted grille. 

Bürstner is actually capitalising on the fact that it has some of the earlier base vehicles left in right-hand drive form and has elected to create a special edition for the UK market, the Sovereign Collection.

Taking the most popular layouts from the Lyseo Harmony Line range, it mixes these proven designs with an enhanced specification and a competitive price tag. 

Four models are offered; the compact 594, single bed 727, island bed 736 and, perhaps most appealing (certainly the most unusual) of all, this 744, which has two lounge areas and two drop-down beds, all in an overall length of 7.36m.

The spec

Unlike most special editions, however, the Sovereign doesn’t have a take-it-or-leave-it spec; our test vehicle boasted over six grand’s worth of optional extras, most significantly the automatic gearbox, plus berths and travel seats for five, rather than the standard four folk. 

But don’t think that, unlike some German motorhomes, you’ll be trawling through a long list of options; this is a well-equipped motorhome, with features such as the Thule roll-out awning and 100W solar panel included as standard.

There’s a premium look to the Sovereign, too, with smart alloy wheels, a gloss black grille, black surrounds to the headlights (with LED daytime running lights) and Lanzarote Grey paintwork.

Running boards help merge the Fiat and Bürstner elements, as well as easing access to the cab. 

The well-finished body has truly flush habitation windows, an XL entrance door (with window, bin and flyscreen) linked to the central locking and there’s the trademark high-level rear brake light incorporated into the Bürstner logo. 

The only downside is the electric step that has a buzzer instead of auto-retracting.

Construction includes a GRP floor and roof (plus a 10-year water ingress warranty) and the chassis is extended underneath to the very rear of the vehicle, which is also attractively styled with distinctive tail lights and bold Bürstner branding. 

There’s no spare wheel, though – just a Fix ‘n’ Go kit.

The garage

The rear overhang is quite long, so you won’t want to put too much weight in the rear locker, but this isn’t a full-sized garage. It does run the full width of the vehicle with loading doors on either side (the offside door is taller). 

Inside, the height varies but is a minimum of 56cm in the main load space and there are adjustable lashing points to secure heavier gear, such as folding bikes. 

There’s a small light and a 230V socket on the offside, as well as a blown-air heater outlet.

The exterior

Other external features include a gas barbecue fitting and TV point on the offside and an optional (£230) outside shower on the nearside. 

What looks like a toilet hatch behind the passenger cab door is actually access to the fresh water tank, both for filling and cleaning. 

A neat drip catcher is provided for when you’re topping up this inboard 105-litre reservoir. The 90-litre waste tank is underslung and has a large bore outlet for quick emptying.

The gas locker (also on the nearside) holds two 11kg cylinders side by side and it’s mounted low, so you don’t need to call Popeye when one runs out.

The cab

Once inside, only the most observant drivers will spot that this isn’t the latest Fiat cab. The Italians have hardly pushed the boat out with the latest refresh and this Series 9 has all the toys, the only surprise being the central lockable storage bin instead of the double cupholders.

So, the spec here includes the fully digital dashboard (even including a percentage reading for your AdBlue tank) and Fiat’s own 10in Uconnect multimedia touchscreen, rather than aftermarket unit.

Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all present and correct, along with an excellent reversing camera display.

Both front seats are height adjustable and trimmed in Harmony Line upholstery in a mix of faux leather and fabric (as seen throughout the vehicle). 

The air-conditioning is digital (so you can set the temperature) and the electric parking brake simply releases as you pull away. An induction charging pad is fitted for your phone, too.

Driving is typical Ducato, with a firm ride and crisp, direct steering. Performance is adequate from the 140hp motor and the nine-speed automatic gearbox (pricey at over four grand) still impresses, although it is no longer the latest thing. 

Conversion noise is not intrusive although there seemed to be a squeak coming from the front drop-down bed.

The interior

Enter through the habitation door and the first thing that may strike you is the flat floor throughout the living area – from the cab right back to the rear lounge there are no steps to trip over! 

That’s down to Bürstner’s Thermo-Floor, which is described as an insulated sandwich-construction floor. 

It includes a couple of storage compartments (around 11cm deep) that are hidden once the removable carpets are in place.

The other aspect that will immediately impress is the lighting. There are ambient strips and downlights under both drop-down beds, more mood lighting built into the top lockers and a selection of swivel reading lights, each mounted on a rail so that you can reposition them at will.

Headroom is generous (up to 2.05m) in the central kitchen area but reduces to a modest 1.78m under the front bed.

The front lounge

Up front, the half-dinette lounge is utterly conventional. The rear bench includes automotive-style, height-adjustable head restraints, while the wall-mounted table incorporates a large swing-out extension leaf. 

A single side seat forward of the door creates room for five and, although there’s no window here, the glazed entrance makes up for that. With an opening overcab sunroof as well, there’s no shortage of daylight here. 

The boiler (a Truma Combi 6 E) and fresh water fill the base of the half-dinette bench but there’s some storage under the side seat.

The rear lounge

While you’ll dine up front, or perhaps watch TV (there’s a bracket and sockets above the fridge, adjacent to the general and heating control panels), it’s in the rear lounge that you’ll want to relax and unwind. 

This size of low-profile motorhome is dominated by single and island bed layouts but testing the Sovereign in dull, autumnal weather only emphasised the appeal of doing things differently.

And this isn’t the classic, British-style U-shaped seating area. Instead, there’s an L-settee along the nearside and rear walls and a large picture window opposite. 

As in the front lounge, there are Roman blinds for privacy but most of the time you’re sure to want to enjoy the view.

There’s another TV point (optional) back here but, with armrests and scatter cushions enhancing your comfort, you may just want to put your feet up. 

Lighting is again superb and there’s plenty of storage in surprisingly large top cupboards, under the nearside seat and in a sideboard along the offside. 

There’s also a swing-out table here, should you wish to have some nibbles, although the sideboard and nearside corner shelf should suffice for drinks.  

The drop-down beds

Each of the lounges converts into a bedroom, but with nothing more strenuous required than the twist of a key and the press of a button. 

The rear bed is slightly bigger and comes down lower, to 1.16m off the floor (or down around another 20cm with a dealer adjustment). 

You need to remove the backrest cushions and corner shelf before lowering, but there’s no ladder here – a pull-out step under the wardrobe suffices. 

You’ll sleep with heads to the nearside, where touch-operated spotlamps are fitted in the ceiling, and there’s a roof vent for ventilation.

There’s no need to move or remove cushions before deploying the front bed but it does cover the entrance, making entry/exit rather awkward. 

At 1.38m off the floor, a ladder is essential for access here (and headroom in bed is reduced, to 63cm), but it’s good to see spotlights and a roof vent are fitted, just like at the rear. 

Both beds have a comfortable mattress mounted on a membrane for ventilation and, importantly, duvets and pillows can stay in situ when the beds are raised in the morning.

The optional berth

‘Our’ Sovereign also had an optional fifth berth, created in the front lounge using two infill cushions (one with a solid base and support leg) as well as the table, lowered to half height. 

As with most beds of this type, it’s not flat and could only really be considered as an occasional berth. 

Its headroom below the drop-down bed ranges from 76cm to just 42cm at either end where the cupboards mounted on the underside of the bed intrude.

This example also had a fifth travel seat that replaces the cushions on the side pew, turning this into a rear-facing seat with lap strap. 

With a very restricted view out, however, it’s also best seen as an occasional-use option. The 744 is far better as a four-berth than a motorhome for five.

The kitchen

The galley and ablutions zones fill the centre of this layout, between the lounges. The kitchen backs onto the half-dinette and remains fully accessible with both beds in use. 

It’s an L-shape design incorporating a Thetford Triplex cooker (three gas burners and a combined oven/grill) to appeal to UK buyers. 

A loose cover for the sink ensures there’s enough worktop space for meal preparation or appliances, which can be plugged into the overhead three-pin socket (or used opposite, above the fridge). 

There are cupboards on either side of the oven but the only drawer (with fitted cutlery holder) is directly below. 

However, my favourite feature in this kitchen was the slide-out unit for tins and jars.

Completing the culinary quarters, the three-way Dometic tall/slim fridge has a 139-litre total capacity (including its 12-litre freezer compartment) and automatic energy selection.

The washroom

Aft of the fridge, the toilet room door has a full-length mirror and it opens round to separate the back part of the motorhome, while a sliding door to the rear can create a full-width ablutions area.

There’s generous leg and shoulder room when sitting on the swivel cassette ‘throne’ but this is fitted on a raised (by 18cm) section of floor onto which you’ll need to position your feet, unless you’re built like a giraffe. We’d suggest you try it for size (not literally, of course!).

The rest of the loo room features high and low-level storage (the top cupboard needs fiddle rails) and one of those hidden toilet roll holders that pokes a sheet out like an Andrex tongue. 

There’s a backlit mirror and a large shallow basin in white plastic, plus hooks for robes and towels.

You can also hang things to dry in the shower cubicle, which features a second roof vent and plenty of headroom (2.01m). 

There’s a shelf for your gel and shampoo but this isn’t the largest of showers and it’s made to feel much smaller by the awkward step in the tray, which will see you standing with one foot 13cm higher than the other! 

The small drain at the front of the shower tray also seemed below par.

You may wish to take fresh clothes with you into the ablutions zone, as the wardrobe is on the ‘wrong’ side of the sliding privacy door. 

It’s a decent-sized hanging space, though, with a 1.17m drop from the rail and a large shelf above.

(Motorhome supplied by Emm-Bee Motorhomes).

As a stylish four-berth motorhome, the Sovereign 744 has lots of appeal, thanks to its two seating areas and the rare feature of a pair of electric drop-down double beds.

The L-shaped rear lounge is undoubtedly its most attractive aspect but it also marries a generous standard spec with a competitive price tag, as long as you don’t mind foregoing the facelifted Fiat cab.