First look: Sunliner Olantas

While more young families are flocking to caravans, motorhomes still suffer from an image problem with the younger set. It doesn’t help that a common stereotype of a motorhome owner is a retiree too old to unhitch a caravan!

As a result, most Australian motorhome manufacturers pitch their products to the ‘silver set’, resulting in conservative, practical designs that deliver enough space and storage for the Big Lap but with less of an emphasis on the latest design trends…

But times are changing. Young people do actually like the idea of campervans and motorhomes – just witness the ‘vanlife’ phenomenon on social media, as carefree 'yoof' flee the cities in their thousands in modern-day Kombis, or even tiny homes.

Motorhome specialists like Sunliner are tapping into this trend,  with the 44-year-old Melbourne manufacturer recently introducing a new model on the appealing Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform, with features pitched directly at the young -- and young-at-heart...

Mercedes magic

Due to features like purpose-built motorhome chassis and higher GVM ratings, most motorhomes in Australia are built on the Fiat Ducato or Iveco Daily truck platforms. But with the Olantas, Sunliner has specifically designed a motorhome to suit the more upmarket Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, which arguably delivers a more car-like experience than its cab-chassis rivals.

As a result, a Sprinter-based motorhome like the Olantas is more likely to appeal to first-time motorhomers. It's smoother and quieter on the road than the Iveco or Fiat, and rides and handles pretty well too.

The Olantas is still a big thing at 7.0m long and 3.3m high, but you feel less like you're driving a truck and more like you're behind the wheel of a very large SUV. It's a nice cabin too, with comfy seats, plenty of storage areas, a decent audio system, climate control system and 12V sockets -- about the only other things we would have liked on our test vehicle were satellite navigation and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The base 2.4-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel, matched to a five-speed automatic transmission, offers decent grunt and fuss-free cruising, only running out of puff up steep hills. If you want swifter acceleration (and higher fuel bills), there's a V6 engine and seven-speed auto option (we managed a respectable 14.4L/100km driving the four-cyllinder, which didn't include any freeways).

Eye-catching appeal

While the Olantas is smartly styled on the outside, with its tasteful graphics and fibreglass rear bumper moulds and side steps around the front doors, it’s on the inside where the 'wow' factor really is.

While the stabiliser legs require manual winding, the electric entry steps and powered awning make setting up a breeze, as does the clearly laid out switch panels and gauges above and to the side, of the entry door.

With big windows on either side, the front lounge/dinette area is instantly inviting. With the slimline Luton peak fitted to the review model, there's no banging your head as you move from the driver's cabin to the living area. The downside is less storage areas above the cabin -- a higher peak with another double bed can be fitted, but with the drop-down, electric queen bed right alongside, it's not a workable option. You'd also lose the sleek, streamlined exterior look up front...

The front seats don't swivel around but with seating for five on the two lounges, around an adjustable dining table, it's not an issue. This particular layout also gets a side coffee table with twin USB points and a connection point for the TV aerial (an arm for the standard 19in TV/DVD can be fitted on nearby wall).  There's also a Bluetooth stereo above the door, playing through interior and exterior speakers.

Interior bling

Really lifting this motorhome above the ordinary is some modern black tapware and a sophisticated lighting system. But rather than a floodlit LED experience you find in many modern RVs, Sunliner has taken a more tasteful, 'mood' lighting approach with the Olantas.

Complementing the usual reading and ceiling down lights is the golden glow of under-cabinet strip lighting and three large ceiling-mounted panels in each of the 'living' areas, that can be programmed to glow in a range of colours, or flash intermittently for a cool nightclub effect. Yeah baby!

Kitchen and bathroom

Immediately right through the side entry door is the compact, corner kitchen with three-gas burner cooktop/oven and bowl sink, both with hard lids to extend the otherwise limited bench space. Directly opposite, Sunliner has squeezed a slimline 141 litre Thetford fridge/freezer along the wall, with small microwave mounted above, which has allowed room for more cupboards and pantry space alongside.

Any grumbles about a cramped kitchen are quickly forgotten upon opening the solid door leading to the extra-large rear bathroom, which presents more like a master bedroom ensuite and walk-in robe than your typical, full width but little depth rear ensuite found in many Australian RVs.

Immediately on the left is the vanity with ceramic sink, mirror and cupboards, above and below. The large shower in the corner features curved, tempered glass sliding doors, and there's ample space around the cassette toilet. In fact, with the main storage areas for clothes also back here, it also doubles as a spacious change room, with none of the claustrophobic feeling you often get in RV bathrooms.

Limited storage

Probably the biggest drawback of this particular Olantas layout (there are five in total, including two 7.8m long slide-out options) is limited storage. There are four onside external lockers of various sizes, but none overly large. You could fit larger items like camp chairs in the space over the driver's cabin, but there's little storage under the lounge seats, with the space under the smaller lounge taken up by the Webasto gas heater, 100Ah battery and 1000W inverter.

Kitchen storage extends to some pull-out drawers including one for larger pots, a few overhead lockers, and an open shelf, as well as two pull-out pantries and another cupboard. Depemding on the length of trip, clothes, towels and linen should fit in the three-quarter height robe and cupboards located in the ensuite.

Another minor gripe is the lack of a central heating outlet in the bathroom -- you'll need to open the door to let some heat in when nature calls on cold mornings.

The large skylight with 12V fan above the dinette is also blocked when the electric bed is raised during the day, and the queen bed's east-west layout means there will be some climbing over sleeping partners to get to the toilet at night.

Other than that, the Olantas appears built to Sunliner's usually high standards -- we spotted some unfinished timber inside some of the cabinetry but that's about it.

A special mention also of the super-smooth, belt-driven drop-down bed -- it's quicker and quieter than your typical, chain-drive electric motorhome bed. We also liked the rock-solid Dometic security door -- an item usually exclusive to caravans.

Verdict

The Sunliner Olantas is a breath of fresh air in the Australian motorhome market. It offers plenty of bling and driving appeal but without compromising too much in the way of practicality and comfort.

While it probably won't appeal to the Big Lappers, it's a good option for those planning  shorter trips and desiring a premium motorhome with a bit of wow factor.

Specs: Sunliner Olantas 452

Base vehicle: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516, rear drive
Engine 2.2-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power/torque: 120kW/360Nm
Gearbox: Five-speed automatic
Tare weight: 3650kg
GVM: 4490kg
Payload: 840kg
Licence: Car
Passengers: Four
Berths: Two
Travel length: 7000mm
External body width: 2450mm
Travel height: 3300mm
Cooktop: Thetford Triplex 3 gas cooker and oven
Fridge: Thetford AES 141-litre
Microwave: Sharp
Lighting: LED
Batteries: 1 x 100A/h
Solar: 150W panels
Air-conditioner: Houghton Belaire 2400 roof-mounted
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Shower: Separate cubicle
Hot water: 20 litre gas/electric
Central heating: Webasto diesel
Fresh water: 100 litres
Grey water: 55 litres
Gas: 2 x 4kg
TV: 19in LCD TV/DVD
Price (drive-away Vic): $144,980
Supplied by: Melbourne RV, Bayswater, Victoria
More info: Sunliner RV