BURSTNER SOLANOT 615

ORIGINAL THINKING FOR THE LOW PROFILE CONCEPT

Words and photos by John Page

Making the point about where the strength of the motorhome market is headed, Profiles account for 48% of Bürstner’s’ 2007 line up. A-Class are 32% and Overcabs that once upon a time dominated the scene are at 20%. These Profiles from Kehl have style, colour and a truly practical approach. No one does the shape better although several makers from the UK and mainland Europe have similar silhouettes that also get the most important bit right – notably the line of roof where it meets the windscreen continuing the slope that starts with the bonnet, sweeps upwards and flattens on the roof. Burstner also make a decent job of the back end with subtle mouldings for top bottom and the rear light clusters, plus the asymmetrical window to the sleeping area with a neat scenic logo alongside. The popularity of Profiles is hardly a surprise given the obvious benefits of improved fuel consumption, reduced airflow noise, stable ride quality as well as the sleeker shape compared to the overcabs. Although it’s fair to say that this maker achieves a very sleek line indeed for their Levanto Overcab family range. Lest you get the wrong idea, most of the Profiles including the 615 do have fully belted forward facing travel seats for four and a second double bed of somewhat limited appeal. Burstner stockists Timberland loaned us the T 615, a two-toned silver machine of 6.92m length selling at £41,224 on the road.

Construction

The building block on which Burstner form the T 615 is the Fiat Camper chassis, the only European brand designed and manufactured exclusively for leisure vehicles at a plant independent of the commercial vehicle activity. Therefore its geometry, low build height and suspension characteristics all help to achieve an especially quiet, stable motorhome with good weight distribution. Peering underneath the chassis is to see a tidy approach for the installations including the moulding that fully encases the waste water tank, mud flaps and anti rust treatment of the chassis members. Impressively smooth aluminium panels form the side walls, skirts and roof surfaces with GRP for the front and rear mouldings. A five-year water ingress warranty applies to the body with the proviso that regular inspections are carried out. My only personal criticism is the compressor and tyre repair kit in place of a spare wheel although I’ll admit that today’s tyres are tough. Three dramatic paint schemes for the Solano include our test vehicle in two-tone silver, the orange fire and the ocean blue schemes. Give me the orange every time.

On the Road

Right from the off, seated in the driving chair, it felt pretty good with firm support for back and thighs and twin easily adjustable wide armrests. The telescopic steering wheel is an improvement on the previous tilt adjustment to get comfortable with – the rear view mirrors are placed just so and a view of the dials unobstructed through the steering wheel. Manipulation for the interior climate change including air con’ is dead simple and non distracting and the same applies for the radio. Call me old fashioned but I’m ambivalent about sat-nav and the unnecessary sophistication of the dashboard that tells me whether it’s raining outside, how far we’ve travelled and dozens of other bits, when all I really need is total and trip mileage – all else is distracting particularly in today’s often frenetic traffic conditions. Gear lever position, sun visor height, radio/CD reception are great on the new road surfaces. On poor road surfaces the ultra firm ride can get noisy. No doubt that is likely to improve with a laden vehicle and when the suspension has softened a bit.

Rear passengers have the benefit of an engine powered heater in cold weather and loud speakers in the roof to enjoy some of the entertainment.  A ride quality, harder than but comparable with a modern saloon car, resulted in cornering entirely without drama together with our unwavering straight line progress as a direct effect of good power steering response and that low drag body shape. Noise levels from the airflow and engine were minimal and tyres likewise on our new super smooth road surfaces -but could be a touch obtrusive on poor surfaces. A full load compared to our minimal one and a little softening of the brand new suspension will mute that. An occasional rattle from the shower partitions was trivial and no other noises off at all! Sixty miles per hour equated to 2,100 rpm – 70mph equalled 2,500 rpm and the fuel burn over 253 miles including M-roads, A-roads and lanes gave an encouraging 31.6 mpg.

On Board – At Ease

Arguably, the 615 concept of fixed bed alongside a washroom, centre galley and forward lounge/diner is now the most popular European floor plan within a low profile shell. Transverse beds with garage under (our favourite) take second place – twin bedded types come third, while the UK influenced large rear lounge idea is quietly making inroads. Each has its merits and demerits. The one we have here holds sway perhaps for its simplicity of getting to bed and convenience of washroom close by. All three tend to be categorised as 2 + 2s with travel seats for four and a second bed of fussy make up for two children. Burstner’s treatment of the theme is practical and imaginative.

Using something like 42% of the total living area including the cab, space for eating and unwinding is generous for two, three or a four-person crew. There’s the angle adjustable side couch, double bench seat and the pair of lie back and luxuriate recliners (as in our Pic’). The dark blue soft furnishings are restrained but help is at hand for avant-garde campers with several brilliant alternatives in terra cotta, pale blue, orange and a Japanese floral design to make your friends drool. Bags of sunshine and fresh air through the opening curved rooflight over the cab and all windows equipped with blinds, flyscreens and net curtains. At night time sliding spotlights for ideal positioning were something new and a four-speaker system produced good medium-fi radio and CD quality. To keep up with the Joneses flat-screen TV is an option for bolting to the maker’s swivel bracket. This and the monitor control panel were both at a comfortable height to read easily. Congratulations to yet another German maker for the clarity and obvious simplicity of a monitor panel that gives all the necessary information without recourse to a manual. Its position so much better than the common practice of placing it above the entrance door.  Heater controls just inside the door at waist level were also ideally placed to see and adjust.

Sleeping

Yes, of course this type of bed is easiest by far to make ready and climb into. Beneath it there is space for a mass of outdoor tackle, although the Combi heater is not readily accessible to service or get at the drain tap. More sliding spots are ideal for the compulsive reader in bed, who will be comfortably warm in winter from the ducted heater output surround, also used in the lounge area. No handy shelves for the wallets and watches etc but any of the roof lockers are within easy reach. Their combined handle and release catches, also fitted to each and every locker and drawers are quite the best seen to date for handling without fuss and closing or releasing positively. A twelve centimetre thick pocket spring mattress was the icing on the gingerbread.

The technical data refers to the 615 as having four berths, the additional two made up by lowering the table to level with the bench seat after removing half of the support leg. Then extend the side couch to meet the table before placing a filler cushion on the table to give it the necessary width. With the weight of the table to manhandle and the fiddling around it is a fussy procedure though just about adequate for two little angels to sleep on, who might well be more comfortable in a side awning.

Kitchen

On two counts at least this angled galley plan has advantages: it brings the appliances and storage lockers within easy reach and gives the chef or chefess some space in which to magic up some good eats. Across the aisle one of Dometic’s 150-litre auto fridge/freezers was also handy of access with the oven perched high on top, which is far from ideal and a potential for accidents. Otherwise, items such as the separate drainer sink, power sockets set into the spotlight panel, and loads of stowage space above and below the worktop was close to ideal. The neat slide out panel for extra worktop area on top of an array of drawers was really thoughtful and you could loose all the cooking hardware and electric kitchen gizmos you would ever need in the space under the sinks. No crocks as per standard Euro but credit for the size and good depth of the circular sink, the three 240 and pair of 12 volt sockets as well as sensible lighting and ventilation. For serving up the dining table was massively engineered complete with swivel out extension to bring it close to whoever might be sitting at the side couch for mealtimes.

Washroom

Something new and practical here as an improvement on the sometimes cramped washrooms alongside this type of fixed bed. First the sliding access door is robust to work well and close securely for travel. Then in the toilet and washbasin mode there is plenty of space to the width and length. A really useful deep wall locker neatly occupies the space at left of the flush toilet. The piece de resistance however is the spacey shower cubicle created in the middle ground by using two folding partitions that are otherwise stowed flat against the sidewalls. Ingenious and practical with it.

Stowage

Whether it’s cab, kitchen, washroom or sleeping quarters, the provision of suitable stowing space has been catered for. Furthermore the access to various lockers, cupboards and the wardrobe as well as is good and the catches used are robust and positive. The same positive thinking applies to exterior access lockers including that for the gas cylinders. Fiat’s bonnet lock and release to get at the motor is more positive thinking – the release concealed from prying eyes in the between the passenger door and its framework, and the bonnet security device falling naturally to hand as you go to lift it.

Summary

Appreciation of the Solano may well start when you look at the lines of this wind cheating shape, especially if you go for one of the imaginative colour schemes. Ask for a test drive and even if you’ve driven motorhomes for years, you will be impressed with the handling of the machine. On the inside I’ve checked out what I think are the salient points to add to yours because we all have our personal priorities. As I’ve pointed out there are three options for the ways the fixed beds are placed so do look at each one. There is a great deal to appreciate with the Burstner range and very little to niggle at as I’ve listed. Overall, on a ‘value for money’ rating T 615 does well. But don’t take my word for it, give it your own third degree – I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

Technical Data

Vehicle specification:  Burstner Solano T 615 Two + Two Low profile Motorhome

Price of vehicle tested: £41,224 on the road, including silver paintwork

Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by: Timberland Motorhomes Ltd, Lunar Road, Kirmington, North Lincolnshire, DN39 6YP. Tel: 08450 099998

Conversion

Overall length: 6.92M

Overall width: 2.30M

Overall height: 2.85M

Turning circle: 13.5m

MTPLM: 3500kg

Payload: 520kg

Construction: bonded construction with aluminium sidewalls, foam insulation and plywood inner walls.

Fresh water capacity: 120-litres

Waste water capacity: 90-litres

Gas storage: two 13kg cylinders

Auxiliary battery: 90ah deep cycle battery

Refrigerator: Dometic 150-litre auto power sourcing fridge/freezer

Water heating: Truma Combi space/water for gas/electric power with ducted blown air system

Lighting: mix of sliding and fixed halogen spotlights throughout

Upholstery: Granada blue tapestry fabric

Other equipment fitted: Blaupunkt Radio/CD with sat nav system

Base Vehicle

Type: Fiat 3800mm wheelbase chassis cab

Power unit: 2.3-litre, 130 Multijet, four cylinder, turbo charged diesel

Maximum power: 130bhp @ 3600rpm

Maximum torque: 320 Nm @ 2000rpm

Transmission: Six-speed manual to front wheels

Steering: power assisted rack and pinion

Braking system: 4-wheel disc system with ABS

Performance

Fuel consumption: 31.6mpg

Maximum speed: Estimated 87mph

Comfortable cruising speed: 65mp