Knaus first introduced L!VE as its entry-level brand in 2018. A-classes were not included until last season, and now the 2021 versions have arrived. We viewed the fixed-single beds Knaus L!VE I900 LEG at Davan Caravans & Motorhomes in Somerset.
L!VE models are customisable, but some design elements are universal. One is fantastic vision. Driving this 8.61m-long twin-axle, you should have no difficulty seeing where it sits on the road, thanks to the huge cab and lounge windows.
The cab is fairly standard Ducato, although our test model had a 160bhp engine upgrade (£1908) and Fiat’s nine-speed auto gearbox (£3025). As standard, you get comfortable, easily adjustable Grammer cab seats.
The motorhome sits on Al-Ko’s low AMC chassis for a more stable ride. So, although there is an electric step fitted as standard, you barely need it.
Things are a little less satisfactory by the habitation door. The offside toilet is unusually far forward, so its access hatch sits just to the left of the door, and would come within any awning.
That low chassis does not guarantee a flat floor: headroom is good by the door and the kitchen, but there is a step up to the washroom and lounge.
Two cupboards to the left of the door are ample for coats and boots, and the shelf in between would be ideal for mobiles, if only there were a USB port.
Still, it is a comfortable lounge, well lit thanks to large windows and a Heki, and even better on our test model with the Cream Nature leather upholstery that is a £1852 option. Seven could easily be accommodated in here, and could all be seated at the pedestal table.
The TV (part of a £2771 package) pops out of the bulkhead behind the travel seats. Tuck the set away and the top of this bulkhead forms a useful place to put together drinks and dishes.. You might need this space, because kitchen worktop is not particularly generous.
You only get a three-burner gas hob, a fairly standard sink and a combined oven and grill. Next to this, however, is the latest 177-litre Series 10 Dometic fridge with two-way opening doors.
The washroom door is at a diagonal, with the toilet in the corner. This is a wide washroom, with a huge cupboard and a large, flathandbasin. The shower on the nearside is more cramped, with the wheel arch intruding into the tray, but there is a roof vent, good lighting, a shelf and two drainage holes.
The two rear beds are both over 2m, while a pull-out panel and a separate infill creates an even larger double.
There is a huge sky view rooflight, while the single window on our test model (a second is an option) was a good size. Two spotlights facilitate reading, but again there are no USBs.
The drop-down bed is one of those where you have to get the folded cab seats just right to bring the bed down fully. But it is large and comfortable, with touch-control LEDs.
There are huge storage spaces under both settees, but with no access flaps and heavy cushions, these are a little tricky to access. There are four large overhead lockers in the lounge, in addition to the cupboards by the door. The wardrobe between the washroom and the bed is large, and there is more hanging space in the cupboard under the offside bed. There are overhead lockers at the back and cubbyholes along the side, too.
Washroom storage is also excellent; kitchen storage less so. There are three shelves in the cupboard under the sink. One of the two overhead lockers is shelved, and there is a cutlery drawer. There is also a locker below the fridge, and another up above.
The garage is large and well lit, and there’s a service hatch here that offers access to the water tanks, the power supply and the Truma frost control.
PRACTICAL MOTORHOME SAYS…
This motorhome offers super all-round vision and a low chassis, so don’t let the prospect of its 8.61m length put you off. What’s more, the beds are huge and comfortable, as is the lounge. But the substantial customisation available can’t totally gloss over the one or two niggles, such as the dearth of kitchen work surface and the fact that the floor isn’t flat throughout.
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Seven could easily be accommodated in here, and could all be seated at the pedestal table
Technical Specifications
| Berth | 4 |
| MiRO | 3972 kg |
| Payload | 1028 kg |
| MTPLM | 5000 kg |
| Shipping Length | 8.61 m |
| Width | 2.32 m |
