Sunliner Monte Carlo 2005 Review

Monte Carlo: the name conjures up all sorts of images, mainly ones concerned with a wealthy and exotic lifestyle - casinos, large power boats and al fresco dining along the waterfront, while watching the world go by.

So it's therefore interesting that Sunliner has chosen to name its top-of-the-line motorhome after that famous principality. I don't imagine that owning a Sunliner Monte Carlo is going to be gamble; although it does have characteristics similar to a boat, it won't float, but you can enjoy al fresco dining just about anywhere you please. You can certainly watch the world go by from this Sunliner creation, but would Princess Caroline like to own one? Let's take a right royal tour and see!

At nearly 28ft (8.5m) long and with a GVM of 7000kg, the Monte Carlo can be built on either a Isuzu NPR 350 cab chassis or a Mercedes Benz 616 Sprinter.

Our review Monte Carlo was built on an Isuzu chassis that came with a 4.8 litre turbodiesel motor and a four-speed auto gearbox. I am not always a big fan of auto gearboxes in large trucks, but this one seemed to work reasonably well in tandem with the turbodiesel.

On the road the Isuzu is certainly more truck-like than its European contemporaries, but the Sunliner team has added a few of its own touches, including luxurious leather driver and passenger seats. Although the rear view mirrors do an effective job, the rear view camera mounted where the internal mirror usually fits is definitely a bonus. Having the motor situated underneath the cab means limited access to and from the driver's cab.

It's worth mentioning another handy Sunliner item: towards the rear on both sides are what looks like small aircraft landing lights - in actuality they are extra reversing lights, but set to angle outwards, very useful when reversing at night.

The Monte Carlo does have a long and lean-looking shape. At the front the Luton Peak has been curved over nicely and around at the rear, the boxy look is broken up by the air spoiler and neatly shaped tail light fairing.

Seitz hopper windows are fitted all round, but Sunliner has stayed with the more conventional Camec triple-lock security door. The Aussie Traveller awning has to be one of the longest I have seen fitted to a motorhome. Under this awning are two external lights, both operated by an external sensor and speaker from the sound system.

At first there seems to be a plethora of external lockers, but not quite as many on second glance. Along the nearside the first couple are a means to access engine components. The next two waist-height doors open to reveal the all-important slideout barbecue and Waeco Coolmatic ice box. Underneath is a ventilated compartment for the two motor batteries and four deep-cycle house batteries.

Between the entry door and the rear are two general storage compartments plus the Thetford cassette door, while at the rear is a large "boot" with access from both sides. There's a substantial amount of room here, despite the fact that the gas compartment for three 9kg cylinders takes up part of the space as well.

Along the offside are some practical items: an Onan 3.6kVa generator, an external shower and, for the person who wants everything, a Dometic front-loading washing machine!

Modern convenience
Sunliner's signature interior decor has the light-stained, curved timber finish and neat leather upholstery. Benches and tabletops are all laminated with timber edging and the entire kitchen wall is a brushed stainless steel laminate look-a-like. All the windows, being of the Seitz variety, have built-in fly screen and blind, as do the big, marine-style hatches above both the lounge area and the bedroom.

A roof-mounted air-conditioner takes over when the going gets too hot for these devices alone.

The very lounge-worthy dinette area is in the front third of the Monte Carlo. Occupying the mid-third is the kitchen bench along the offside and the bathroom along the nearside, while in the rear is the main bedroom. There is also a single bed above the driver's cab, which can be lifted out of the way.

For ease of cleaning, Sunliner has opted for vinyl flooring for most of the motorhome, with carpet just in the bedroom area.

This is a big motorhome and it has a big kitchen to match. Every palace should have one! Naturally there is the usual hardware: Spinflo four-burner hob with a separate grill and oven, Swift rangehood, 186 litre Dometic fridge and stainless steel sink.

However, for the person who likes to do as little as possible, there's a Dometic dishwasher as well. Fitted into the overhead locker compartment above the sink is a Technika microwave oven. It's a convenient place to locate the microwave oven, but I wonder if it's too high for shorter people to be used easily and without fear of spilling or dropping something.

There's no shortage of storage space with, in addition to the overhead lockers, two sizeable cutlery and cooking utensil drawers and four pot and pan-type drawers. Across the aisle, built into the bathroom cubicle cabinet work is a large multi-shelved pantry that's just wide enough for a multitude of food items - an effective use of space if ever I saw one.

Relaxing in the contoured leather lounge is no problem at all. Situated along the offside between the entry door and passenger seat it faces the dinette and also the flat screen TV, which is neatly fitted into the overhead locker above the dinette.

About the only disadvantage here is that you cannot watch the TV while sitting at the table. Similarly upholstered to the lounge, the dinette will seat two people comfortably.

Under the seat is the usual storage area, but instead of having to fossick around under the seat cushions, the floor panel is hinged to give easier access.

Large windows on either side of the lounge area guarantee you won't miss much of the passing scenery.

A multiple amount of halogen reading lights will provide for pleasant reading and a similar score of sound system speakers will mean easy listening.

A queen-size bed, complete with innerspring mattress takes up most of the bedroom area. There's a reasonable amount of walkaround area and a useful step to help you get into bed. A second step is also fitted, but this is probably better utilised as a bed side table.

On either side of the bed are hanging wardrobes and two small corner shelves - just the place to rest your tiara. For anything larger, there are two lockers above the bed as well. Windows on three sides and the big Seitz hatch above give good airflow and natural light.

At the base of the bed in the offside corner is a curved ceiling-height cupboard with plenty of shelves and on the opposite side is the second flat screen TV. A concertina blind closes off the bedroom area when required.

Sunliner has given the bathroom its royal treatment: separate moulded fibreglass shower, vanity sink and swivelling Thetford cassette toilet.

Little extras include two small cupboards, several strategically placed towel rails and a mirror on the bathroom door.

A few items around the entry door are of interest: both steps have hinged lids for keeping shoes and the like; by the top step is a hand-held UHF radio battery charger and above the door are two little shelves for items such as keys and torches.

Lighting throughout is all 12V and a mixture of halogen reading lights and overhead fluorescent fittings. In addition to the generator and battery charger, solar panels also top the batteries up and a 1700W inverter supplies the 240V when needed.

For those who like to take all their home theatre comforts with them, there's a full surround-sound DVD entertainment system for use with the two flat screen TVs.

The bottom line
There is no doubt that the Monte Carlo is a very luxurious C class motorhome.

Sunliner has put just about every little feature they could think of into this motorhome and, along with all the signature "Sunliner touches", they have produced one classy unit.

For a couple or even a princess, dare I say, looking to do some luxury touring, the Sunliner Monte Carlo should certainly be on the shortlist.

For more information on the Monte Carlo or for your nearest dealer contact Sunliner on (03) 9879 1776, fax (03) 9870 5139, email info@sunliner.com.au or log on to the website, www.sunliner.com.au

Sunliner Monte Carlo
Base vehicle: Isuzu NPR 350
Engine: 4.6 litre turbodiesel
Power: 127kW@2700rpm
Torque: 458Nm@2000-2400rpm
Gearbox: auto (four-speed)
External length: 27ft 11in (8.5m)
External width: 7ft 10in(2.38m)
External height: 10ft 6in (3.2m)
GVM: 7000kg
Stove: Spinflo four-burner and Cara oven
Fridge: Dometic RM401 186 litre
Microwave oven: Technika
Dishwasher: Dometic ESF245
Washing machine: Dometic front-loader
Generator: Onan 3.6kVa
Gas: three x 9kg
Price: $219,963 plus o/r

We liked:
- General finish and timberwork
- Multi-shelved pantry
- Front "lounge" area
- Innovative kitchen area
- Hinged floor panels give easy access to underfloor storage

We would have liked:
- Easier 'walk-through' from cab, but that's more a truck availability problem