Upping the Italian ante!
An Italian lesson? There’s an interesting take on a much favoured British end lounge floorplan here, packed up with bags of flair and a specification that wants for nothing. Indeed, the only factory-fitted extra available is automatic transmission – unless you count altering the maximum weight limit. But, more of that later.
For now, feel free to marvel at this, one of three K-Yacht A-class motorhome models bearing the Tekno Line descriptor (hence the high kit count). It’s based on Fiat’s Ducato chassis-cowl, with 2.3-litre, 150bhp engine.
On this, the timber-free, GRP-clad bodywork is added at a motorhome manufacturing facility in deepest Italy that is dedicated to making A-class motorhomes.
There’s also instant proof of how seriously Mobilvetta is taking the UK market. That body has the habitation and cab doors (and hence much of the interior) switched to the correct sides for UK use.
Other features such as the 16in alloy wheels and coach-style mirrors (electrically operated and heated) point towards the premium nature of this product.
Step inside and it’s eyes right towards that end lounge. The “eco leather” . seating is actually L-shaped, with a low-level furniture unit stretching along the nearside that’s home to, among other things, a slide-up holder for a TV screen.
The pedestal leg table has electric height operation, as well as manual fore and aft adjustment.
Overhead, meanwhile, there’s an electrically-operated double bed that can glide down to any level when you’re ready for sleep. Dimensions of 2.10m x 1.40m are on the generous side here, but there’s also a second, more conventional A-class pull-down double (1.90m x 1.35m) at the front.
There’s more seating at the front, too, thanks to a conventional continental set-up of L-shaped settee-cum-double travel seat behind the driver. Plus swivel cab seats and a single inward-facing seat. Again, this seating is around a fixed pedestal leg table.
Mid-‘van, then, is taken by the kitchen (nearside) and washroom (offside). The former has a hob comprising two gas rings and an induction area. Alongside, there’s a deep, inset circular sink with loose cover that doubles as an extra kitchen shelf when slotted into fixings above the sink.
It almost seems as if the fridge and wardrobe are in the wrong places. The 150-litre fridge/freezer, along with a combined oven and grill, is diagonally across the corridor from the kitchen, while the wardrobe is next door to the main cooking and food preparation area. It’s just a thought…
Directly opposite the kitchen, the washroom is home to the usual trio of shower cubicle, swivel-bowl toilet and (countertop, in this case) basin. There’s a translucent window behind the toilet, and a good array of storage (open shelving, low- and high-level lockers) and again, lots of details: soap dispenser, towel rail, toothbrush mug, shower duckboard.
Underfloor heating is somewhere near the top of a long list of kit, all standard, that comes with each Tekno Line K-Yacht. It works independently of the Truma Combi 6 that supplies hot water and conventional blown air heating.
All manner of other features and style touches are here, too. Extensive LED lighting. The high-gloss finish to much of the furniture. Lots of chrome detailing. A 130Watt solar panel. External sockets (gas, mains electric and shower). Automatic cab air conditioning. USB sockets. The list goes on.
A rear-view camera is part of the Zenec stereo system with DAB and satnav, and will lead to a motorhome insurance discount.
Only standard sprung cassette blinds and flyscreens to the main windows is the sole surprise.
OK, so there’s not going to be much you’re going to want to add to your Mobilvetta. That’s just as well. Do ask about the chassis upgrade options, though. If your driving licence allows, the free-of-charge 3,650kg rebadge ups the payload to a more respectable 490kg.
Verdict: High-spec’, well-priced A-class with presence
Plus: Oodles of equipment, stylish looks inside and out, well priced
Minus: Low payload on standard chassis rating
In-a-nutshell: What’s Yacht to like?
There’s more information on the K-Yacht range on the Mobilvetta website. Find out more about insuring this or your current motorhome on our motorhome insurance discounts page.
Alternatives: Bürstner Ixeo I 744, Carthago Liner-for-two I 53, Roller Team Pegaso 745
Mobilvetta K-Yacht Tekno Line 80 factfile
Model | Mobilvetta K-Yacht Tekno Line 80 |
Base vehicle | Fiat Ducato, 2.3-litre, 150bhp, Euro VI |
Dimensions | 6.99m L x 2.35m W x 2.89m H |
Berths | Four |
Travel seats | Four |
Maximum weight | 3,500kg |
Payload | From 340kg |
MPG estimate | 26-30 |
RRP | From £75,891 on the road |
Safety & security | Electronic immobiliser, remote central locking, ESP including Traction Plus, Hill Assist and Hill Descent, twin airbags, European Whole Vehicle Type Approval |
Key options | Comfort-Matic automatic transmission (£2,100) |
Just be wary, Marquis do not carry spare parts so everything has to come form Italy and takes many weeks.
Also body panel parts are outrageously expensive and have gone up 58% this year!
I would be unlikely to buy another at such costs.