This is no ordinary motorhome it is built for adventures in luxury and style whatever the weather throws at you.
Meet the GrandTourer, a stylish A-class Dethleffs Trend I 7057 that behaves far more like a boutique hotel suite than a hire van. Every box is ticked, and then a few you did not know existed.
Park anywhere, level in seconds. Hydraulic levelling, operated from inside at the touch of a button. No ramps, no shuffling back and forth, no bed that slopes towards the door.
Comfortable whatever the weather. Living area air conditioning with soft start, so it runs on the inverter and works even with no electric hook-up. Full habitation heating and hot water for the colder months, so the season is yours, not the calendar's.
Genuinely off grid.A 190W solar panel paired with a 300Ah lithium battery and an inverter. That combination means you can run continuously off grid, and even use the living area air conditioning for roughly five to seven hours depending on daylight and what else you have plugged in. Park where the view is, not where the electricity is.
Connected wherever you stop. A WiFi router with 5G that switches automatically to Starlink satellite, with a roof-mounted antenna. Signal in the Highlands, on the Welsh coast, or halfway up a Cornish lane.
Sleep properly. A fixed double island bed you can walk around, so nobody climbs over anybody at two in the morning. Hotel-quality bedding. Touch lighting over the bed, a socket and USB either side for overnight charging, a shelf within reach, plus cupboards and wardrobes. A drop-down bed above the lounge sleeps two more when you need it.
A proper bathroom, not a wet room compromise. Separate shower cubicle and separate toilet cubicle, towels provided, with a mirrored cabinet. A privacy door closes both off from the bedroom and the living area to create a bathroom and dressing room of its own.
A kitchen you will actually cook in. Espresso machine, toaster, kettle, oven and gas hob, a large fridge freezer, and all the crockery, cutlery, pots and pans you need. Deep drawers that hold everything without rattling.
Living space that works. Smart TV, comfortable sofas and an adjustable table. Integrated blinds and fly screens on every window and roof light, including sliding blinds for the cab windows, the windscreen and the habitation door. Swivel captain's chairs up front turn the cab into part of the lounge.
Outside. A pull-out awning, folding table and chairs, and sun loungers. An electronic step drops down to meet you. There is a full-width through garage with doors on both sides, long enough for bikes, boards, walking kit or a folded barbecue.
And it is a pleasure to drive. The 2.2 Ducato 180PS turbo diesel has torque to spare, so long hills and mountain passes pass without drama, and the smooth 9-speed automatic gearbox does the thinking for you. The dashboard carries an integrated 9-inch flat screen sat nav set specifically for motorhome height and width, plus Apple CarPlay. Reversing camera and cruise control as standard.
One practical note before you book. The GrandTourer has a maximum authorised mass above 3,500kg, so drivers need category C1 on their licence. If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you almost certainly already have it — check the back of your photocard for a row marked C1. If you passed after that date and do not have C1 yet, it is more straightforward to add than most people expect. Just ask and I will point you in the right direction.
"What a spec, I hear you say. This is not a motorhome. It is a luxury hotel on wheels."
Welcome to the GrandTourer. You may not want to bring it back.
