Pioneer paints a pretty picture

Autocruise retain a strong position in the top five of British motorhome manufacturers, with a reputation for quality build, good functional design and excellent aftercare including bespoke factory-based alterations.

The South Yorkshire firm have enjoyed thriving sales and excellent media reviews recently, to my mind because they have kept their finger on the pulse of innovation.

Pioneer, although promoted as a brand in their own right, are built by Autocruise to run parallel to their main ranges, offering a lighter and more continental feel to traditional British layouts. The original line-up bears the names of famous explorers, but the latest additions have taken on the names of Impressionist painters, with suitable, eye-catching graphics. I nipped over to Cotswold Motor caravans to cast an eye over some of the latest models.
 
THE PIONEER LINE-UP
 
Like the great majority of motorhomes they are Sevell based, although Peugeot Boxer rather than Fiat and they do benefit from the new, low-line, Al-Ko chassis. This gives them a road wheel at each extremity, a widely-praised reputation for road hugging and a generally pleasant drive. The exterior styling is eye-catching and sculptural; either white with silver trim and graphics or, in the case of the romantically named Renoir and Monet, optional funky-silver paint jobs complete with artist-inspired mural.
 
The interior décor has a very contemporary yet cosy feel, very British still but with a continental flavour and some up-to-the-minute detail such as alcantra-trimmed upholstery.
 
In our inclement climate we Brits cannot always sit outside and we like a good lounge with room for a bit of entertaining or telly. Pioneer do “Best-of- British” lounges: twin sofas with swivel cab seats, or a rear U-shaped one. No continental kitchens, either: there’s a real emphasis on gourmet facilities, always a full cooker, lots of storage and plenty of worktop achieved by some innovative design features.
 
Washrooms mostly feature either a separate shower or Autocruise trademarked innovation “SwingWall Shower”, as described in the 2005 Tasman review opposite. This first appeared a few years back and has proven itself by now as a real space-saving convenience.
 
The brand has a few quirks: Eberspacher diesel-or-mains electric hot water/heating system is versatile and to be welcomed, however, a pumptype water filling system would not be my personal choice and I’d like to see bigger water tanks. There are one or two less than dynamic design details, too, which if updated would add a bit of zest to an otherwise tasty new recipe.
 
We found these two very different representatives from the full range of 10 models (14 if you count the variations)
 
FROBISHER SL
 
A twin sofa model with fixed rear bed, the Frobisher is available in 4 variations, 2 on the extra long wheel base allowing a separate shower and increased storage. The other option is the lower Alko chassis to allow a bigger “garage” at the rear, capable of taking a lightweight motorbike. The SL shown here has neither, instead a comfortable height fixed rear bed, with storage under. The kitchen is superb, note the innovative swing out storage unit extending the available worktop. The lounge is stunning, with super new fabrics and some neat details such as a swing-up coffee table. I thought it a shame that this model had neither a separate shower nor the “SwingWall” version, but it’s a very attractive and comfortable motorhome for extended touring.
 
MONET
 
This time we see a U-shaped rear lounge, supremely comfortable and benefiting from views on 3 sides. There’s space for a flat screen, wall mounted TV with ariel and power sockets, lift up coffee cup flaps, and dedicated storage for the dining table. Another super kitchen, this time with fridge opposite to allow more storage in the main unit, and the L-shaped worktop further increased by a pull-up flap.
 
The large washroom has a separate shower, posh granite-effect moulded basin and is generally well thought out. Up front, this motorhome disappointed me, the cab seats being isolated, non swivel, and useless on site. The dresser is a let-down, too, as it is taken up completely by the eberspacher unit and an (albeit very necessary) exterior locker. At under 6.3 metres, though, this van packs a lot in to its very drivable size, so some compromises are excused.

For more information visit www.autocruise.co.uk

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