There is clever thinking behind the Carthago C2 Tourer I 145 RB LE Lightweight 3.5t, a ‘van which recently launched as part of a line-up that currently comprises five A-classes, all on a Mercedes Sprinter with an Al-Ko low-frame chassis.

Carthago is, of course, famous for manufacturing luxurious (and quite expensive) low-profiles and A-classes. All that luxury comes not just at a price, but with extra weight as well; which is why hitherto, so many of its ’vans, such as the Carthago chic s plus I 61 XL LE. have only been available to those with a C1 licence, or who are able to afford the training course to get one.

That target market is getting smaller, so lighter-weight models were needed, without compromising build quality.

The new Carthago C2 Tourer I 145 RB LE Lightweight 3.5t took the title of best A-class motorhome at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2025, where it impressed our judging panel with everything that is fitted in, despite being suitable for a usual licence. In the ‘van, there are some weight-saving innovations (such as a polypropylene gas bottle locker), but the main weight reduction comes in the width of the vehicle.

The side profile of the 'van
The slender A-pillars frame the huge windscreen

The I 145 RB LE is only 2.17m wide. That means it can afford to be 7.21m long without breaking any weight thresholds. It is available with an MTPLM of 4200kg, but is designed to have an MTPLM of 3500kg, so anyone can drive it, something which could make it an appealing prospect to those looking at luxury motorhomes on the market.

Carthago’s designers have taken advantage of the new C2 to tweak the front end, too. I thought the hexagonal grille was certainly striking, with a central ‘C’ that lets you know this is a Carthago.

The grille on the front of the C2-tourer
New grille blends in with the LED daytime running lights

And see how that grille seamlessly integrates with the LED daytime running lights and headlights, which then lead onto two slender A-pillars running up to the roof. They frame the huge windscreen and are, in effect, the only thing blocking the view all the way back to the habitation area.

Carthago says the design is meant to resemble a biker’s helmet. I couldn’t quite see it ourselves, but it certainly provides excellent vision.

The lounge in the Carthago C2 Tourer I 145 RB LE Lightweight 3.5t

Inside, you get all the style you’d expect when you’re buying a motorhome from such a luxurious brand. You can go for Casablanca 2, as I saw when I reviewed it, with Fine Cherry furniture and high-gloss ivory contrasts. Or there’s Nuovo, with more muted furniture, and high-gloss ivory, handle-free locker doors.

The cab seats swivelled round to face the lounge
Front lounge has opulent upholstery and a large pedestal table

The captain’s seats in the cab swivel around to join the two travel seats and side seating, forming a lounge with a pedestal table that I reckon could easily seat six. While perhaps some daylight is lost from having a cab bed, the huge windscreen and large windows almost make up for the loss, with ambient and directional lighting for night-time.

The kitchen in the Carthago C2 Tourer I 145 RB LE Lightweight 3.5t

The diminutive kitchen includes innovations such as a split cover over the three-burner gas-only hob and a sink cover that doubles up as a shelf, so workspace should be fine.

The kitchen with the sink cover raised
Innovative kitchen design provides a split hob cover and a sink cover that doubles up as a handy little shelf

The larger shelf immediately behind the travel seat headrests works as a useful serving bar – with two sockets nearby. And I found the area to be well lit, with a large window and LED lights.

The washroom

The washroom, which straddles the aisle, is not as spacious as those in other Carthago ’vans. The wheel arch intrudes into the shower cubicle, although you do get a roof vent and a clothes rail. The main washroom on the door side (so the cassette hatch intrudes into an awning) houses a salad-bowl-style basin, a mirror, a roof vent and good lighting.

The beds in the Carthago C2 Tourer I 145 RB LE Lightweight 3.5t

The rear single beds are long (2.0m and 1.9m), comfortable (85cm wide), and furnished with stylish lighting. Something that I thought could be an issue was USB ports – or rather the lack of, with only one in the whole motorhome.

The fixed rear single beds
Single beds at the rear are long, comfortable and stylishly well lit

The cab bed, which you barely notice when raised, comes down to provide two sleeping places with reading lights and a small shelf for books. There is also an optional fifth bed, which you make up out of the lounge seating.

The cab bed
Unobtrusive cab bed comes down to provide sleeping places for two

Storage options in the Carthago C2 Tourer I 145 RB LE Lightweight 3.5t

But while Carthago has narrowed this ’van, it has not reduced storage options. You still get a double floor with plenty of access, a good selection of lockers, two hanging wardrobes below the beds, cupboards galore in the washroom, and six large drawers in the kitchen along with useful open shelving, which will be particularly helpful when you’re kitting out your van.

The overhead lockers in the bedroom
Capacious overhead lockers in the bedroom in high-gloss ivory finish

One improvement this year is the swivel-out shoe cabinet under the travel seats, something which I think would be perfect for when you arrive back after a day of exploring.

Alternatives to consider

One A-class that impressed us last season was the Le Voyageur Eterna 7.0 GJF, a highly luxurious option which also provides an MTPLM of 3500kg. Alternatively, try the 2024 Carthago c-tourer I 145 RB LE Superior, an appealing A-class with an excellent lounge and plenty of comfort throughout.

Technical spec

  • Price: £108,640
  • Sleeps: 4
  • Belts: 4
  • Base vehicle: Mercedes Sprinter with Al-Ko low-frame chassis
  • Engine: 2.0-litre, 150bhp turbodiesel
  • Length/width/height: 7.21/2.17/2.95m (23’7”/7’1”/9’7”)
  • MTPLM: 3500kg
  • MiRO: 2987kg
  • Payload: TBC
  • Water (fresh/waste): 150/140 litres
  • Leisure battery: 80Ah
  • Web: www.carthago.com/en/

A big choice for those who are thinking of buying a ‘van will be working out the right type to opt for – if you’re not sure, knowing the differences could help you choose between a campervan or motorhome.

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