PRECIOUS METAL! Start-up manufacturer Latitude Motorhomes first offering the Titanium is precious metal in more ways than one. by Richard Robertson

Transcription

1 PRECIOUS METAL! Start-up manufacturer Latitude Motorhomes first offering the Titanium is precious metal in more ways than one by Richard Robertson

2 Day Test 35 It s no surprise Ben Maclean (pictured) and brother Michael chose the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter as the base for their launch vehicle. It s familiar territory and still the most refined light commercial vehicle on the market, although VW s soon-to-be-released Crafter will probably change that. The boys have done an impressive job with the Titanium and it should find ready buyers in the booming van-conversion market. The sudden demise, buyout and rebirth of Paradise Motor Homes earlier this year left many of us stunned. A sorry tale that had nothing to do with the viability of the business or the quality or popularity of its motorhomes, it has, however, lead to the creation of Latitude Motorhomes by Ben and Michael Maclean, sons of Paradise s founder Colin Maclean. Latitude Motorhomes is entering the booming van conversion motorhome market segment, but with plans for a campervan and a fullsize coachbuilt model too, due to customer requests. It s a gusty move yet entirely understandable, given their pedigree. Based in Burleigh Heads at the southern end of the Gold Coast, Latitude Motorhomes is off to an impressive start judging from it s launch model the Titanium which is based on a longwheelbase (LWB) high-roof Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van. Opening Play A van conversion motorhome makes a lot of sense for Latitude s first offering. Already a complete vehicle requiring just the fit-out, it avoids the need for expansive manufacturing facilities, extra staff and larger capital outlay. It also happens to be a fast growing industry segment, which is a happy coincidence given the established competition in Australia s small motorhome manufacturing marketplace. Given the number of people dropping by the factory when I was there, plus the regular phone enquiries, it appears they re in with a good chance.

3 36 Day Test In line with their experience at the premium end of the market, Ben and Michael have chosen to stick with the Mercedes Benz Sprinter, although the 6.96 m LWB version, not the 7.36 m XLWB. We feel the long-wheelbase Sprinter gives the best combination of liveable interior space and compact exterior size, Ben said. What we re able to provide is a high level of equipment, innovation and style at an affordable price $139,000 drive-away in Queensland. From that starting point we can also easily make changes to suit customer s specific needs. The Sprinter model the Titanium uses is the 316 CDI where the 3 means it has a 3.55-tonne gross vehicle mass (GVM) and the 16 means 160 hp, or 120 kw. CDI means it s a common-rail direct-injection turbo-diesel, which at this output level is a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder unit. Drive is to the rear wheels via Mercedes silken 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic gearbox. In the Titanium the GVM has been increased to 3880 kg, which given its impressive 3160 kg tare weight provides a maximum payload of 720 kg. Of course, having a sub-4500 On the road the Sprinter is easy to handle and drives pretty much like a car. The Titanium s metallic paint and understated graphics are a nice touch too.

4 Day Test 37 kg means you can drive the Titanium on a standard car licence. Adventurers can opt for the 519 CDI 4x4, with a 4.49-tonne GVM and booming 140 kw 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel, but that s another story On the road the Sprinter impresses with its highly refined ride, engine and transmission, delivering a near car-like driving experience. Visibility is excellent and being not only rearwheel drive but a Mercedes, the turning circle is exemplary. While the dashboard is Teutonically grey it s efficient if not always intuitive. Safety is also about as good as it gets, with airbags and a raft of electronic aids like Crosswind Assist and Adaptive Electronic Stability Program. Overall my brief drive in the Titanium was a valuable reminder why the Sprinter is still the prestige motorhome chassis choice. Brass Tacks As is usual with a van conversion there are no external storage lockers; rather, room for chairs, hoses, leads, etc, is provided Design detail extends to this neat Titanium badging above the headlight.

5 38 Day Test in a rear boot under the bed, accessed via the rear doors. There, a combination of open storage and deep drawers (with room for a small generator on a slide-out) provide a high degree of storage versatility. Double-glazed, top-hinged acrylic windows are used all round, except in the back doors, where the Sprinter s fixed glass is retained. Other external features include a wind-out awning, electric entry step with auto-retract, illuminated grab handle, fold-down outdoor table, and a Winegard Sensar TV antenna. The test vehicle also came with three options that for now are part of a standard introductory special: A Dometic Fresh Jet rooftop reversecycle air-conditioner, an Eberspacher diesel room heater, and leather cab upholstery. After the test this rear drawer system was added, which has room for a small generator as well as hoses and leads, etc. Note how the rear doors have been panelled inside, with blinds for the fixed glass rear windows.

6 Day Test 39 As expected the body is fully insulated, while standard equipment also includes a 200 amphour AGM deep-cycle house battery and 150 watt Redarc solar panel, with a matching Redarc Manager30 power management system. Fresh and grey water capacities are 110-litres and 80-litres respectively, hot water is 14-litres using a Truma LPG/240-volt unit, LPG comes from a pair of 4-kg cylinders, and the 17-litre cassette toilet has an SOG ventilation system. One feature worth a mention on its own is what the brochures describes as backlit billet switches. To you and me they re the little silver light and power buttons, backlit with colours according to their use and individually laser etched with symbols and names. They re a breath of minimalist futurism in an world otherwise full of mundane black plastic switches Stepping Inside There are only so many ways you can arrange things in a rectangular box. So it should come as no surprise the floor plan has a front lounge/dinette using the cab seats; a split kitchen in the middle, a bathroom towards the back and a rear bedroom. Opening the side entry door triggers a courtesy lighting system of concealed blue LEDs, which is terrific when returning to the vehicle at night. Decor in the test vehicle was fairly neutral, with glossy white cupboards and drawers, glossy woodgrain panelling and light grey wood-effect vinyl flooring. In the kitchen, light grey marblelike bench tops and a brown acrylic splashback tied everything together, providing an overall upmarket feel. Of course, there s a range of colours to choose from to tailor the interior to your tastes. Top to bottom: Backlit, custom labelled billet switches are neat and easy to use; The Redarc Manager30 power management system is a beauty (we have one in Project Polly); Rear boot has main power circuit breakers plus 240 V/12 V/USB charging outlets.

7 40 Day Test Cabinetry appears excellent and uses quality German Blum-brand drawer systems and cabinet door lifts, solid stainless steel cabinet locks, high pressure laminate bench tops with 2 mm ABS edging, plus interlocking, glue-andscrew cabinet construction for strength and durability. The Titanium is unashamedly built for two and nowhere is this more apparent than the dinette. Perhaps the biggest compromise in the design, it requires the cab seats to be swivelled until facing each other, whereupon a small table stored behind the driver s seat is slipped into its mount on the passenger s seat base. While fine for meals for two it s not designed for entertaining (which of course you can do outside under the awning), nor is it really conducive to long nights watching TV, reading or just relaxing. However, for that there s always the bed, which we ll come to soon Top: The dinette is small, cosy and strictly for two. Note the Remi cab blinds. Above: The small dining table uses a Lagan mount and stores neatly behind the driver s seat.

8 Day Test 41 Space Monster? The kitchen is a comparative space monster, but sure to please those who love to cook when travelling. The main work area is between the driver s seat and bathroom, and includes an all-in-one three burner gas cooker and sink unit, three deep drawers and a 136-litre Waeco 12/240-volt compressor fridge. The splashback cleverly frames the kitchen window, while above is a slimline rangehood built neatly into the base of a run of three cupboards. A smaller bench unit sits immediately to the right as you enter through the side door. It houses a microwave just under the bench top with more drawers below, while the bench space is handy when both cooking or passing things outside the vehicle. Cabinet Decisions The bathroom is between the main kitchen bench and bedroom, and in keeping with other vehicles in this class it s an all-inone unit, albeit larger than most. One-piece moulded with a recessed toilet, the corner Kitchen space is good and nicely finished. Note the acrylic splash-back with window cutout, neatly integrated range hood and generous, deep drawers.

9 42 Day Test The bathroom was missing a shaving cabinet, which is still being chosen. Even so it s well equipped and has a waterproof toilet roll holder built into the side of the corner hand basin. handbasin has a mixer tap with an extension shower head that can be wall mounted, alongside the liquid soap/shampoo dispensers. There s good lighting and ventilation, plus an opaque door, and while test Titanium s bathroom might appear a bit spartan, it s because Ben and Michael were still sourcing their ideal shaving cabinet. Without Compromise? Van conversion motorhomes (like our Project Polly) often suffer from bedding compromises; be they having to make the bed up every night, choosing between singles or a double, or simple having a bed that s too short. But not in the Titanium. A fixed north-south bed measuring 1.89 m x 1.35 m (6 2 x 4 5 ) sits between the bathroom and rear doors, with one edge running along the side wall. The measurements are honest and the length doesn t include the extra room the slight gap to the rear doors provides. For someone like me at 1.85 m (6 1 ) that extra room is invaluable, while for those who prefer singles a twin-bed layout is also available. The bed leaves walk-though space on the kerb side (mind the wheel arch) to make access easier, plus it provides space for a single bedside table and drawer in the back corner, which also houses the water heater in a cupboard at bottom. There are overhead cupboards down both sides and across the rear, plus access to the under-bed storage via doors at the front. While there are large windows on both sides of the bedroom, the back door windows are fixed glass, but the

10 Day Test 43 doors themselves have been soft panelled inside and the windows fitted with privacy screens very civilised. On the kerb side, between the secondary kitchen unit and bedroom, is a three-quarter height wardrobe. The TV is positioned on top via an industrial grade swivel mount. Sturdy and secure it s a far cry from the fiddly extending arms usually used. On the rear wall of the wardrobe is an AM/FM/USB/Bluetooth stereo connected to four speakers, two of which are over the bed head. What I think From its Mercedes-Benz Sprinter base to its stylish interior, high-tech inclusions and quality fit out, the Titanium is impressive. Latitude Motorhomes might be an industry newcomer but the experience of its founders shows. The Titanium is an excellent vanconversion motorhome any manufacturer or owner would rightly be proud of. If you re in the market for a quality motorhome be sure to arrange an inspection and test drive. Especially before you part with any of your own precious metal Secondary kitchen unit houses the microwave and has plenty of extra storage, while the TV sits atop the tall wardrobe on an excellent, sturdy swivel base. Below: The permanent north-south bed is basically queen sized, with access on the kerb side and a corner cupboard that also houses the hot water system.

11 44 Day Test Specs GENERAL Make Latitude Motorhomes Model Titanium 7.0M Type Van Conversion Berths 2 Approved Seating 2 Licence Car VEHICLE Make/Model Engine Power Torque Gearbox Safety Fuel Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 316 CDI 2.2 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel rpm rpm 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic Front airbags, ABS, ESP, CA, TC. 100 L WEIGHTS Tare Weight Gross Vehicle Mass Max Payload Braked Towing Capacity 3160 kg 3880 kg 720 kg 2000 kg DIMENSIONS Overall Length 6.96 m (22 10 ) Overall Width 1.99 m (6 6 ) Overall Height 2.90 m (9 6 ) Internal Height 1.92 m (6 3 ) Rear bed 1.85 m x 1.35 m (6 1 x 4 5 )

12 Day Test 45 Specs EQUIPMENT Slide-Out Awning Entry Steps Cooker Rangehood Sink Fridge Microwave Lighting Air Conditioner Diesel Space Heater Hot Water System Toilet Shower CAPACITIES Batteries Solar LPG Fresh Water Grey Water Hot Water Toilet No Wind-out 1 x Electric 3 burner gas Yes Single bowl stainless steel 136 L 2-door Compressor (12V/240V) Yes 12 V LED Rooftop Dometic Fresh Jet reverse-cycle Optional Truma LPG/240 V Pedestal Flexible hose 1 x 200 AH Optional 2 x 4 kg 110 L 80 L 14 L 17 L (cassette) Pros Mercedes Sprinter base vehicle Build quality Standard equipment Style Design options Standard price Special launch deal CONs Small dinette Extra fresh water would be good PRICE ON-ROAD From Drive-away QLD $139,000 As Tested Drive away QLD Special Warranty Mercedes Daily Warranty Motorhome Warranty - Appliances $139,900 inc solar, diesel heater, leather upholstery 3 years/200,000 km 3 years As per manufacturer Contact Latitude Motorhomes 5/14 Rothcote Court Burleigh Heads. Qld T: (07) Click for Google Maps W: latitudemotorhomes.com.au 2017 imotorhome Pty Ltd All rights reserved