Full review

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Frankia Platin Pure I 7400 Plus

All things are relative in the world of A-class motorhomes. This new Platin Pure is hardly compact, at 7.76m long, nor is it entry-level, with a total cost as shown here of £176,950. But it’s still a Platin, which means a very high spec and a rear-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz chassis with 5,500kg maximum gross weight.

Previously, Frankia’s range-topping Platin was only available as a 7900 model (8.07m long) or an even bigger 8400 (8.61m). If you wanted something a tad more manoeuvrable, then the 7400 layouts could be ordered in the M-Line range but, by the time you’d added all the extras to bring these up to Platin spec, you’d exceeded the price point of a larger motorhome.

This anomaly is something that sole UK Frankia agent, SMC Motorhomes in Newark, has wanted to address previously but only now (mid-season in 2024) are the Pure versions being launched. 

You can choose from the rear lounge Plus model seen here or the GD with twin single beds over a rear garage. Both are unique in the market in using the rear-wheel drive Sprinter chassis-cowl (rivals all use the front-drive version with an Al-Ko chassis), which has the huge traction advantage on slippery surfaces of twin rear wheels.

It also has the 190hp engine and nine-speed automatic gearbox as standard (FWD Sprinters offer only 170hp) and boasts a payload of considerably over a tonne as well as a towing capacity of up to two tonnes (subject to a maximum gross train weight of 7,000kg). 

This is a vehicle in which you’ll not have to worry about emptying the fresh water tank (150 litres) before setting off.

The options

The Pure is not quite as highly spec’d as a regular Platin but it still impresses with its kit count. 

Here, for once, is a luxury German motorhome in which the luxury bit isn’t accounted for by a lengthy list of optional extras and packs. 

The only extra-cost items on this show model were the second Heki 3 sunroof over the lounge (£1,195) which makes this space even more light and spacious, the foldaway rear travel seats (£2,825), external barbecue and shower points (£255 and £310) and additional power sockets (£370). Roof air-conditioning and a heat exchanger are also extra-cost items and will be specified for SMC’s stock vehicles.

The exterior

Externally, the Pure is only available in white (‘full fat’ Platins are available in silver), but a 5.5m Thule awning is standard and so are the alloy wheels. The Platin’s satellite dish has been deleted and replaced by an on-board WiFi system. 

Other key features of the Pure’s standard spec are the 300Ah lithium battery, three 115W solar panels (the larger Platins have room on top for four panels) and a 1,700W inverter. These would all be expensive options on most of the competition.

The interior

Inside, the Pure has a choice of the light Visby White furniture shown or the darker Noce Bianco, but there’s only one (microfibre and leather) upholstery option. 

UK models will also come with a full cooker rather than the Tec-Tower seen here (where the oven is above the fridge), while another new feature of the Pure is the larger (32in) TV that tips onto its side when stowed away.

The bodywork uses the same Thermo Guard Plus construction as other Frankias, with hail-resistant GRP and an 11-year water ingress warranty. 

The storage

The heated double floor has the same thickness of up to 348mm, offering generous additional storage, while even the rear lounge Plus model comes with a huge garage featuring both the typical offside loading door and a top-hinged hatch in the rear wall. 

So, all the things we love about Frankia’s Plus layouts and Platin spec are still here and, arguably, the more compact size makes the Pure even more appealing.

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.