Frankia Now low-profile motorhome

The all-new Now motorhome from Frankia has the wow factor!

The Frankia Now motorhome

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

This is a Frankia motorhome like no other. Its aim is threefold: to provide a spacious feeling inside, to introduce clever multifunctional features, and to have a sense of Scandinavian style. All this with the high quality that this premium German brand is known for. 

But Frankia is also known for large A-class motorhomes (up to almost 9m in length) and, more often than not, the rear-wheel drive Mercedes Sprinter chassis. 

This is neither. It is a low-profile model built on the ubiquitous Fiat Ducato. Which also makes it Frankia’s entry-level motorhome, starting (in Germany) at €83,990, although the show model’s multiplicity of optional extras pushed that up to around €110k. 

But then nothing – nothing at all – about this motorhome feels in the slightest bit entry-level. Nor has it been palmed off to another Pilote Group factory; Now will be built by Frankia in Germany, although not now, you’ll have to wait until spring for production to commence.

The exterior

The outside could have been a touch ordinary; there is nothing unusual about the shape. However, with a black cab and simple black geometric graphics, the Now looks appropriately contemporary. What makes it stand out is the yellow striping.

This is called the ‘brass’ colour scheme (in production the graphics will better reflect the title) and it has matching interior fabrics. As-yet-unnamed alternatives will be a silvery blue and a pale rose. 

So, it looks good with its alloy wheels and flush, framed habitation windows, while the black awning matches the overall scheme. But so far, it’s unremarkable.

One of the few true surprise launches at this year’s Caravan Salon Düsseldorf, the Now was making its world premiere and attracting plenty of attention. What made you come back for a second look was the interior.

The interior

Frankia hasn’t reinvented the wheel, but think of it as polished alloys in a world of steel rims. There’s still a typical 7m motorhome layout with half-dinette lounge, central kitchen and washroom and rear twin beds  mounted over the garage. 

But instead of conservative Teutonic design, the Now feels special from the moment you open the habitation door – it’s windowless so there’s no ugly plastic trim inside, nothing to disrupt the lines and the acoustics are better, too. Then grab hold of a real wood handle to help yourself aboard; that first touch is important!

The décor 

Immediately, you’ll see the mix of Scandi modernity and 1920s Art Deco, with velour cord textiles in that bold as brass colour scheme. 

Sharp shapes are out and curves are in, while great attention has been paid to the lighting, both natural and artificial. For the former, windows are on either side, both in the bedroom and lounge/kitchen. For the latter, ambient lighting is dimmable throughout and found at ceiling and floor level.

Frankia has also achieved a greater feeling of space than you’d expect in a 7m motorhome. A number of factors are at play here; the lack of top lockers, the slimline galley, no curtains, plenty of open space and headroom of up to 2.13m.

The kitchen

The aisle between washroom and kitchen is particularly generous and yet, with a chopping board cover for the sink and the new Frankia Tower that incorporates a slide-out shelf for your coffee machine (or toaster or whatever), as well as the compressor fridge, the galley doesn’t seem to suffer too much and we’re even promised an oven (a Thetford Duplex) for UK buyers. 

The washroom

The washroom impresses even more, with a swing-wall shower that uses magnets in place of fiddly catches and has twin drains in the tray. A ceramic toilet is included as standard, too. 

The beds

Then there’s the rear bedroom, featuring single beds (2.01m and 1.94m long) and a large wind-up sunroof for more daylight. 

A drop-down bed over the lounge is optional, while the lounge itself features a fold-in-half table and a corner cupboard forward of the door. 

But this is more than just storage space; it splits in two, the top half lifting off to become a jump seat or footstool.

Where to buy

SMC Motorhomes in Newark is the sole UK dealer for Frankia motorhomes.

This is a family-run business with a wide range of brands (Auto-Sleepers, Globecar, Knaus, Pilote and Weinsberg, as well as Frankia and Yucon), and its own comprehensive on-site workshops, including an experienced insurance-approved bodyshop.