Full review

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Eura Mobil Xtura 686 EF motorhome

Here’s something of a rarity – a mainstream manufacturer (part of the mighty Trigano Group) building a specific 4x4 motorhome. 

The new Xtura, which was launched in January at the Stuttgart show, isn’t a two-wheel drive motorhome with a 4x4 option, it’s all-wheel drive as standard. 

It comes from Eura Mobil, a marque that has only recently reappeared on the UK market via M and C Ltd in Hull (so right-hand drive is available), and, unsurprisingly, it’s based on the Mercedes Sprinter.

Its maker describes the Xtura as being for “superlative independence”, claiming that the 330Ah lithium battery, 3kW inverter and two 120W solar panels can give you “independent power for up to 30 days.”

Just as important if you want to truly get off the Tarmac, Eura Mobil says its newcomer has an “especially torsion-resistant superstructure” including an 85mm-thick floor – you won’t want creaks and rattles as you head across the desert! – while its Garmin navigation system is said to work anywhere in the world.

The exterior

Externally, the Xtura isn’t just a standard low-profile motorhome with enhanced ride height. There are chunky off-road wheels and tyres, contrasting grey skirts, contour graphics, overcab LED lights and a substantial roof rack with rear ladder. 

The shape of the rear bodywork is also designed to maximise the departure angle when off-roading. 

The wood-free construction of the body features GRP walls, roof and floor with aluminium profiles joining the sides and floor, while the habitation windows are the flush-fitting, framed type.

Cab and living area are both finished in a creamy beige, while the front bumper retains an unpainted plastic finish for practicality. 

A skirt locker can be found on the nearside and there’s a full-sized rear garage with 1.19m headroom and adjustable lashing points. All the hatches have double seals.

The base vehicle comes with the 190hp motor and automatic gearbox, as well as four-wheel drive.

In the UK, we also get the Xtura Package, so the MBUX infotainment system, automatic climate control, Traffic Sign Assistant, LED headlamps, front fog lights, automatic high beam headlights and a 92-litre fuel tank are also included. 

The interior

There’s just one interior layout – labelled 686 EF – with a classic rear single bed format. The two-tone furniture is in Chalet Rustico finish and the upholstery is called Trail (a cream faux leather that seems at odds with a motorhome designed to go where it’s muddy). 

It’s quite a distinctive interior look that incorporates cream mouldings around the cab (with integral reading lamps) and felt-look panels on the walls with storage pockets built-in.

Entry to the vehicle is via an extra-wide habitation door on the offside, featuring a waste bin and window.  Once inside, you’ll see the en vogue face-to-face lounge and daylight flooding in through the overcab sunroof.

The offside seat is just for one, while opposite is more of a sofa (and underneath that is a fold-away Aguti travel seat for one rear passenger). 

The table here is a fixed one with folding top but other designs are available. Most importantly, the Xtura comes with Alde’s ‘wet’ central heating system as standard. 

The kitchen

The kitchen runs aft of the lounge on the nearside and what it lacks in worktop space it makes up for with supersized drawers and a 146-litre compressor fridge. 

The hob is a modern mix of gas and induction cooking but the oven’s position high up over the fridge, and the omission of a grill, will disappoint some chefs. 

The washroom

Opposite the galley, the washroom sits behind dark glazed doors and incorporates a bench cassette toilet and a swing-wall design to create a large shower area with twin drains. 

The washbasin and wall mirror are also supersized in here. 

The bedroom

Finally, the rear bedroom offers single beds of 1.92m and 1.95m in length, reading lights, two opening windows and a small roof vent. 

Where to buy

Eura Mobil motorhomes have been reintroduced to the UK by M and C Ltd of Hull, which is well-known for representing the Italian Rimor brand. 

The plan is to gradually appoint up to six or seven Eura Mobil dealers to cover the UK with a good geographical spread of outlets.