Check out our review of the 2021 Auto-Trail Grande Frontier here
If, from a motorhome, you want a fixed bed, separate shower, big fridge and a weight under 3500kg then the Auto-trail Excel 670B is a worthy consideration.
The motorhome actually weighs 3300kg and is under seven metres long but it packs in a remarkably spacious layout.
The cohesive bedroom offers a nearside fixed bed, with en-suite shower beside it, plus wardrobe and four deep drawers plus overhead lockers to give excellent storage possibilities.
The kitchen is ingeniously spacious in terms of both worktop and cupboard space. The three-burner hob and sink are both triangular, which creates a large space in the centre for food preparation.
The 670B is a four-berth, although only the two cab seats are belted. By day, you can happily seat eight in comfort, three on each of the settees and two more on the swivelled cab sets.
The open-plan lounge benefits from lots of light flooding in from the cab as well as side and roof lights.
Woodwork is a warm-looking, pale chestnut shade, the cab is predominantly cool grey and the upholstery is a modern-look combination of creams and fawns that use an elliptical-line design for interest.
Curtains are palest fawny-grey, lined and, like the rest of the motorhome’s fittings, high in quality.
Lighting, all 12volt-powered, involves a series of strips containing tiny LED lights. There’s one over the kitchen and five more in the ceiling. Spotlights over the bed and in the lounge complete the look.
Heating is via the 5.5kw Webasto Dualtop system, powered by diesel, sipping infinitesimal quantities from the main tank. It runs while you’re driving and heats both space and water, so, when you arrive at a site, your water is already warm.
There’s an optional Sports Pack (at £1,095) that gives you stunning blue metallic graphics on the outside, and equipment that includes a Status TV aerial, different upholstery and graphite-shade slate and effect worktops instead of the standard ream ones. We reckon it’s well worth the extra money.
One downside is that you can only travel with two people so, although it’s a four-berth, that extra double in the lounge is academic, which is a pity, as this motorhome is plenty spacious enough for family use.
Verdict:
When you take into account the under-bed cavern (with exterior access), there’s more storage than you’re ever likely to use except on long holidays. There’s the luxury of a fixed bed and separate shower – and a wide-open lounge. Add in that large fridge with separate freezer and you have pretty much the perfect motorhome and certainly excellent value for the price.
Fact-file:
Price: £41,938
Berths: 4
Belted seats: 2
Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato 33 100bhp (Multijet 5-speed gearbox)
Size: 6.72m (l) 2.79m (h)
Width: 2.32m excluding mirrors
Weight: 3300kg (MTPLM)
Insurance cost: £229.75 *
*Motorhome insurance cost based on 2010 Auto-Trail Excel 670B valued at £41,938. Fitted with Thatcham Category 1 alarm and manufacturers immobiliser, kept at home at TD9 8BD. Motorhome owners – professionals over 50 years old with no claims, convictions or health conditions in last 3 years. 4 years no claims bonus mirrored from car policy and 2 years motorhome driving experience. Members of motorhome club doing less than 7000 miles annually. £250 excess applies. European cover included. European Breakdown £42 extra. Premiums include insurance premium tax at 5% and are correct as of 15.09.10.
Are you joking seating eight in comfort??
its a push to seat 4 in comfort. lol