Full review

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Niesmann + Bischoff Flair 880

In most motorhome ranges, a length of 8.87m would signify the biggest and best, but not with Niesmann + Bischoff. Introduced for 2023, the new Flair arrived as a 9.27m liner.

But, if that’s just a tad too big, this new-for-2024 880 version shaves 40cm off the length.

Of course, it retains the characteristic Niesmann look which, incredibly, has now been around for over a decade. Externally, the makeover is modest but the latest Flair has all its habitation windows in real glass, rather than plastic. 

The options

Don’t expect any two examples to look the same, though – there 128 options just for the outside. 

That starts with a choice of white or silver (a £10,640 option) with additional decoration in Rhodium Silver, Lava Orange or Carbon Optik, coloured strips on the spoiler and matt black or chrome for the grille.

All Flairs are built on a rear-wheel drive Iveco chassis but the desirable 3-litre 207hp engine and eight-speed ZF torque converter automatic transmission will add £8,848 to your bill. 

You can also upgrade from 7,200kg maximum gross weight to 7,490kg, still staying within the limits of a C1 driving licence. 

Air suspension, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic lights and wipers, and cab seats with heating and their own built-in suspension are all further extras that you’ll want to consider.

The spec

But it’s the modern interior, which Niesmann describes as ‘Clou inside’ (harking back to the brand’s earliest flagships) that will have you reaching for the order form. 

The clear line of sight, the contemporary design and the feeling of space give the Flair a clear advantage over the competition, even if this is a smaller model. 

And, if you’re deciding between a 920 and an 880, the lounge’s sideboard is missing here and the nearside settee is 20cm shorter, with a similar saving in the length of the galley. 

You still have the same huge garage at the rear (some of the other external storage is slightly reduced) and the vehicle’s stats are still just as impressive – 370 litres of fresh water, 250 litres of grey water, up to 190 litres of diesel and up to 600Ah of lithium batteries.

The interior

The layout stays the same, too, with parallel sofas up front and single beds (which join in the middle) at the rear – now accessed by a wider step. 

Natural acoustic felt covers the walls, while a clever mechanism first seen in the iSmove allows the nearside settee to turn to face forward and provide two belted rear travel seats. 

Of course, there are more personalisation options inside, too – light oak or dark walnut furniture, five seat cushion materials and a dozen different backrests (to match or contrast), and three finishes for the cupboard doors and drawers.

The kitchen

Then choose your kitchen – the standard version, one with a dishwasher or oven, or both, or an additional  compressor fridge. 

The hob is a hybrid gas/induction unit and the extractor hood appears electrically from  behind the unit with a flourish of James Bond-style theatre. Of course, a coffee machine is another option. 

Opposite, the fridge is concealed, your wardrobes can be designed to incorporate shelves, drawers and hanging space to suit your requirements and a microwave can be added, too.

The washroom

Even more of a standout feature, perhaps, is the washroom, which is identical in the 880 and 920. The concrete finish could come straight out of an apartment, as could the smoked glass sliding door between the  shower and toilet. 

Further sliding partitions close off the whole washing/changing zone and separate it from the bedroom. And, if you need more berths, a drop-down bed above the cab can replace the standard cupboards.

All of this choice comes at a cost, of course – around £300k for this Düsseldorf show motorhome.

Where to buy

The sole UK dealer for Niesmann is Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld in Stafford. This company sells exclusively Hymer Group products, including Carado, Dethleffs, Laika and Hymer itself, as well as  Niesmann + Bischoff.