Knaus Sun I 700 LG

Berths: 4 Travel seats: 4 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Gross weight: 4,000kg Payload: 570kg

This is one striking motorhome. From the deep windscreen to the shapely, moulded rear panel – surely one of the most attractive motorhome rears ever – and the optional black CW alloy wheels, this is a vehicle that’s set to impress.

No wonder Knaus refers to the Sun I 700 as a ‘Compact Liner’.

Three models exist, following on from the pair of tag-axles that started off this generation of Knaus flagships. Twin bed (LEG) and island bed (LX) formats are offered, but the LG shown here takes an improved approach to the transverse end bedroom design.

Access to the bed itself is via a pair of generous, curvaceous steps. And this isn’t just a bed but a stylish bedroom, complete with Roman blinds and excellent lighting. At 2.03m by 1.48m, it’s a much longer bed than you’ll see in island bed alternatives.

Forward, the en suite is palatial. The toilet room comes with the much superior Dometic loo and a basin with tap emerging from the wall, boutique hotel style. As well as a completely separate shower, there are two wardrobes.

If you need more berths, there’s the A-class drop-down bed and an extra-cost electric roller shutter provides privacy – and better insulation – at night.

Under the rear bedroom it’s no surprise to find a huge garage with two full-sized loading doors. With an internal height of 1.28m and width of 1.14m, there’s plenty of room here for your bikes.

Continuing around the outside, you’ll also find a service hatch providing access to water drain valves, the fresh water filler, electric hook-up and twin leisure batteries. Knaus isn’t the only one keeping things practical in this way but it was one of the first to do so. And it claims that its aluminium-to-aluminium construction is unique in this price class. The ‘baby Liner’ theme – well, it’s less than seven and a half metres long – continues with a 30cm-deep double floor, flush-fit windows and double-glazing for the cab as well as the living area. The cab door (on the nearside, as usual) even has its own electric step here.

The Grammer luxury cab seats (with variable squab extensions) and the bus-type mirrors complete the king-of-the-road feel behind the wheel. You’ll want to upgrade from the 130bhp engine to at least 150-horsepower. As ever with a top-notch German ’van you need to spend a while going through the many options to see exactly what you do – and don’t – need. Exclusively, however, Lowdhams offers the Sun I with its Lux Pack (£2,495 but worth up to £6,700) which adds roof air-con, satellite TV, DAB radio/sat-nav/reversing camera and alloys. Yes, we’d tick that box, too.

Even without the pack, the Sun I 700 looks like a very special motorhome, with great features like the removable rear passenger headrests and the pop-up TV between lounge and kitchen.

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