Geist Explorer Premium I650G motorhome

Berths: 4 Travel seats: 2/4 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: 475kg

The Geist brand – built by LMC in Germany – returned to the UK last season. Now, for 2018, the Explorer Comfort I655G motorhome is replaced by the Explorer Premium I650G, retaining the classic, UK-style rear lounge but with a new look to the interior and a completely new exterior rear panel.

It is joined in the new Explorer Premium range by the I710 with fixed single beds and a rear washroom – a new layout this year.

All Geist models are A-classes using LMC’s Long Life Technology construction. In contrast to conventional manufacturing systems using a frame of wood and EPS, Geists have a core of XPS foam (called Jackodur) and polyurethane bracing in the framework of the outer walls for torsional stiffness. Both the Jackodur insulation and PU mouldings are completely water resistant.

On the roof (which is strong enough to walk on) and under the body, GRP is used for high impact resistance and protection against hail. Then the interior walls, insulation and outer shell are bonded together in a process claimed to be unique. As a result, Geists come with a 12-year guarantee of body impermeability, subject to annual servicing.

The base vehicle is the Fiat Ducato with a 3,500kg gross weight and 130bhp Multijet diesel engine. Both the 150bhp motor and Comfort-Matic gearbox are available as extra cost options. The low frame version of the Ducato chassis should ensure a stable feel to the vehicle’s on-road handling. Not only are the daytime running lights by modern LEDS but so are the headlamps.

Standard specification of the chassis, meanwhile, includes height-adjustable captain’s chairs in the cab, 16in alloy wheels, ESP and Traction+, aluminium-style dashboard trim, cruise control, heated/electric bus-type mirrors, a leather steering wheel and remote central locking. More upmarket fittings include climate control and a Zenec DAB radio with sat-nav and reversing camera.

The choice of rear lounge A-classes is a limited one. Here, there’s a really generous U-shaped seating area with windows on three sides and a central, pedestal-leg table. An unusual additional feature is the fold-away rear travel seats mounted under the settees, so the I650G can be used as a four-berth.

Forward of the lounge and aft of the habitation door, the kitchen includes a three-burner hob, under-counter Thetford oven and an extractor hood. The drawers have soft-closing mechanisms and, opposite, is a 140-litre Thetford fridge/freezer with bottle drawer.

The all-in-one washroom faces you as you enter the habitation door and is served by a 102-litre fresh water tank and 10-litre boiler. The waste water tank is heated and it’s pleasing to note that LMC/Geist quotes payloads including 50 litres of fresh water – so much more realistic than some makers.

A drop-down A-class bed (claimed dimensions 1.95m by 1.43m) is, of course, an expected aspect but this high-spec motorhome also comes with features designed to match UK expectations, such as rear corner steadies and the Truma Combi 6 gas/electric heating with iNet box for control from your smartphone. Other standard features include dimmable ceiling lights, an illuminated wardrobe, a flyscreen door and a 250kg limit for the rear external locker.

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