Frankia Neo MI 7 BD A-class

Base vehicle: Mercedes Sprinter Price from: £110,350 Berths: 2/4 Travel seats: 2/4 Length: 6.88m Width: 2.24m Height: 2.96m Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: 532kg

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Frankia Neo MI 7 BD

The Neo was first introduced in 2020 as Frankia’s entry into the 3,500kg class, the company being better known for its larger, heavier A-classes, such as the fully loaded Platin.

Now, for 2023, the Neo is set to make a bigger impression on the UK market, thanks to two significant changes.

Firstly, there is a more traditional option for the interior design (called Manhattan/White), while, more radically, the Neo MT (low-profile) is joined by a new MI (A-class) version, still offered as a 3.5-tonne motorhome on a Mercedes chassis. Both body types are available with the GDK layout (twin single beds) or the BD floorplan seen here (with transverse double).

The exterior

This might be the baby of the Frankia fleet but it has a distinctive look featuring a bold new front end with ultra-slim full-LED headlamps, LED fog lights and a black grille wearing the three-pointed star.

The new design has also allowed Frankia to offer a comprehensive range of Mercedes-Benz assistance systems on its latest model. The 150PS engine is standard but a 177PS option and nine-speed automatic are available.

Crucially, despite being suitable for any driving licence holder, the new Neo A-class is said to offer ‘over 500kg’ of payload, although you may still have to watch that optional extras don’t erode this too much, especially as both the (nearside) cab door and drop-down front bed can be deleted from the spec.

If a Mercedes-based A-class motorhome is what you’re after, though, it’s also worth adding that Frankia states that the Neo will undercut rival vehicles from both Carthago and Hymer on price.

Neither of those competitors will have the Neo’s tailgate door, which provides such easy loading of the garage. Of course, that’s a Frankia trademark feature and it’s in addition to a conventional side-hinged garage door on the offside.

Internal headroom in this zone, with its heavy-duty flooring, is 1.20m.

The interior

Inside, it may be that the GDK layout proves more popular with us Brits because of easier access to the beds, but the BD’s smaller allocation of space to the bedroom means more room in the lounge and the addition of a side settee, as well as the nearside’s L-shaped sofa.

Without the cab bed, the Neo MI 7 BD feels especially spacious, but, even as a four-berth, this is a comfy lounge area with a fixed table that doesn’t dominate.

As you come into the motorhome, you’ll spot another familiar Frankia feature – a trapdoor just inside the entrance that lifts to reveal a useful home for shoes and boots.

The kitchen

Aft of the entrance is the galley with its contemporary design of gas-on-glass hob and plenty of drawer-based storage. Towards the rear, the worktop steps up over the fridge – a 78-litre Thetford compressor model – but a clear line of sight to the rear wall is maintained on this side of the motorhome.

The bed

That aids the impression of space in the Neo, while the rear bedroom will suit lankier motorhomers – the mattress measures 2.02m by 1.39m. There are windows at either end of the bedroom, as well as top lockers along the back wall and a concertina privacy screen.

You’ll need to use the ladder for access and remember, of course, that you may have to climb over your partner if you need a nocturnal trip to the loo (as ever with this type of layout).

The washroom

It’s the Neo’s washroom that’s the most innovative aspect of the model. It uses a bench cassette toilet, rather than the ubiquitous swivel type, and this slides away to give masses more room for showering.

Not only that but the rectangular washbasin also disappears, drawer style.