Gentleman Jack
See other motorhome reviews written by Gentleman JackA 3500kg ’van packing a large garage and a slide-out sounds like a game-changer – read Practical Motorhome's Moto-Trek X-Cite G review to find out if it is
Overview
Moto-Trek’s established Euro-Treka models are still described as ‘revolutionary’. This apparent contradiction is explained by their main selling point – they remain one of only two British manufacturers to volume build coachbuilts equipped with slide-outs.
The latest model, X-Cite G, is destined to enjoy wide appeal because it offers a comprehensively equipped motorhome with a garage, in addition to the slide-out, and yet can be driven by anybody with a licence to drive a passenger car. Want to find out more? Read our review!
On the road
This and other 2.2-litre Peugeot Boxer derivatives with the ubiquitous Sevel underpinnings are powered by Ford’s reliable Puma engine. It has a louder bark than the Fiat, but it feels more spirited and is well suited to its gearbox ratios.
Lounging & dining
Its freestanding table can be moved around to suit the preferences of those on board – a welcome feature that gives the Moto-Trek quite an advantage over rivals. Most photographs show the table parallel to the settee, which requires diners to eat side-by-side. We prefer to dine facing each other, so we would move it forwards and one of us would sit on a swivelled cab seat.
Kitchen
Our pet hate in motorcaravan kitchens is a lack of effective task lighting in the evening; there were no such worries here.
Sleeping
The ’van we tested was a preproduction prototype, with just one bed. The 2016 brochure indicates that the seat bench in production models will be convertible into a low-level island double. This will be perfect for accommodating guests arriving under their own steam or even for couples wanting a double bed each!
Washroom
Still, the room gets full marks for the generous storage and ‘proper’ vanity basin. The wooden duckboard should protect the shower tray and – as with so much in the Moto-Trek – we wondered why other manufacturers hadn’t followed suit.
Storage
There is a downside to the Moto-Trek X-Cite G being fully loaded and having such sturdy furniture: the weight. With two people aboard this example, the actual available payload is nearer 150kg than the quoted figure of 250kg. (We’ve estimated an additional 25kg for the De-Luxe Pack and 75kg for the passenger.)
The good news is that Moto-Trek has recently achieved some weight saving, while a free weight upgrade to 3850kg is available. Of course, this would compromise the original aim of having a slide-out and a garage on a sub-3500kg motorhome. The payload quoted for 2016 models weighing 3500kg is a more practical 300kg. This can be increased by an additional 90kg by travelling with only 10 litres of fresh water on board.
Equipment
Technical specs
Sleeps | 2 | |
Travel seats | 2 | |
MTPLM | 3500kg | |
Payload | 250kg | |
Length | 6.38m | 20′11″ |
Width | 2.25m | 7′5″ |
Height | 2.87m | 9′5″ |
Fresh/waste water | 100L / 66L | |
Leisure battery | 100 Ah |
Verdict
Moto-Trek has produced a game-changer of a ’van with its X-Cite G. The slide-out is well-executed and production models will have a greater payload. It’s also British-made and well-built.
Conclusion
Pros
- An impressive design in a 'van with an MTPLM of 3500kg
- It's well-built with lots of storage