Frankia Platin I 8400 Plus

A C-shaped lounge makes the biggest Plus model the most desirable

UP until now, as we’ve gone from one Frankia to the next, it has been, quite literally, more of the same. More space, more storage, more spec, but a very similar feel. Walk into the 8400, though, and the impression is totally different. Gone is the very British-style U-shaped rear lounge, replaced by C-shaped seating wrapping around the nearside and back wall. If you expect to spend a lot of time inside your motorhome, either because you’ll be touring the (not very dry) British Isles or because you’re serious about winter camping, then this ultimate lounge, in what can only be described as an ultimate motorhome, is just so desirable. The views out through the offside and rear windows enable you to enjoy your surroundings and the slide-out 32in TV is just the icing on this very rich gateau.

Backing onto the lounge is a more spacious kitchen, too, although sadly one that misses out on the UK-style cooker. Here it’s a more modest threeburner Dometic hob with a Thetford Duplex oven/ grill mounted under the counter. What you lose on the one hand, though, you seem to gain in extra worktop space and more storage, while there’s something very sociable (for the chef) about the position of the galley in relation to the lounge.

There’s the same 153-litre fridge/freezer that opens from either side, too, and the coffee machine and microwave are again hidden in the cupboard above the fridge as part of the UK Pack. In fact, all the same extensive spec is offered here as in the smaller Platin and, like the 7900, you can have this layout as a (more affordable) Fiat-based F-Line or Titan if you prefer.

OUR VERDICT

It’s hard not to fall in love with the Platin I 8400

Plus for its superb lounge and that take-no-prisoners standard spec. For long-term touring, it’s undoubtedly the one to have. But it’s not our favourite. That’s the 680, which will be much more manoeuvrable and surely has everything a couple needs for very comfortable living on tour.