Lunar Roadstar EL

Berths: 2 Travel seats: 2 Base vehicle: Renault Master Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: 605kg

British manufacturer, Lunar, has launched a new coachbuilt motorhome range – its first for quite some time – based (unusually) on the front-wheel drive Renault Master. The new Roadstars mark a welcome return of this famous motorhome model name from Lunar, while the choice of base vehicle sets it apart from the majority of manufacturers who prefer to use Fiat’s Ducato or its Italian cousin, Peugeot’s Boxer.

There are advantages to building on the Renault, which will appeal to many buyers. For a start, it is well equipped, with a multi-function steering wheel, electric windows, DAB radio with MP3 player, and LED daytime running lights.

It also comes with loads of safety features as standard – electronic stability control (ESC), Hill Start Assist, Grip Xtend (which allows the front wheels to spin more to clear surface gravel or snow) and Trailer Swing Assist.

The Roadstar is powered Renault’s latest Euro VI, 130bhp, dCi turbo-diesel engine, which produces a peak of 310Nm torque, so it has ample pulling power. It comes with a six-speed manual gearbox. Unlike the Fiat Ducato, the Master requires AdBlue, which means you or your dealer will need to top this up every few thousand miles.

The EL version of the Roadstar – the most compact in the new line-up – is a two-berth, measuring 6.40m in length and 2.30m wide. It sits on a licence-friendly 3,500kg chassis, giving 605kg of payload, though there’s an option to have the chassis rated at 3,800kg, giving 905kg of payload.

The key feature is the U-shaped rear lounge, which is finished in Erin Pewter soft furnishings, along with Timeo Pine and Mussel lockers with chrome handles. The carpet is removable with vinyl flooring beneath.

At night, the lounge then converts into a double bed or two singles, each measuring 1.83m in length.

A fully equipped kitchen offers an Aspire 2 cooker with 42-litre oven, separate grill and electric hotplate, a Dometic cooker hood with integrated light, Dometic fridge with freezer compartment and a smart stainless-steel sink built into a textured slate-effect work surface.

The washroom features a corner washbasin, Thetford electric-flush toilet, a mirror and a large, fully lined shower.

The Telstar is priced from £46,999, plus a £1,999 recommended retailer delivery charge. Features such as cab air-conditioning, cruise control, twin-lens reversing camera, TV aerial and 800W microwave oven come courtesy of the Star Pack, which costs an additional £1,999.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read the full version and more in the April 2017 issue of What Motorhome magazine.

You can get a digital version of this latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.