2021 Auto-Trail Grande Frontier GF-70 motorhome

Something of a head-turner, the GF-70 is the baby of the Grande Frontier range of A-class motorhomes that was announced by Auto-Trail for the 2021 season.

It comes in at just under 7m long, boasting a well-proportioned look to its GRP bodywork. Cues such as the semi-integrated awning, black alloy wheels, coach-style mirrors, flush-fitting windows, cab door on the driver’s side, and more, are all pointers towards the premium nature of the Grande Frontier motorhome.

Based around Fiat’s Ducato chassis-cowl with Al-Ko extension, it gets the 160bhp engine as standard, although you’re likely to be tempted by the 180bhp upgrade and/or automatic transmission options. However, the standard engine demonstrates its sheer pulling power with a torque figure of 400Nm at just 1,500rpm.

Forward on all fronts

Even at just over 22½ft long, the Auto-Trail Grande Frontier GF-70 is still the baby of the three-model range. And, at 2.35m wide, it’s no wider than a typical coachbuilt motorhome.

But an A-class offers so much more, especially up front where the cab area is as well insulated as the rest of the bodywork and, because it’s the same width as the rest of the vehicle, there’s not just that bit more living space, there’s also room for a pull-down double bed.

As standard, though, there’s not the greatest of payloads, so you really should consider the extra 150kg allowance you get if you opt for the no-extra-cost chassis upgrade (and your driving licence allows). While you’re perusing the options list, you may well want to consider automatic transmission (warning: it’d not cheap)

The Auto-Trail Grande Frontier GF-70 floorplan dares to be a bit different for an A-class motorhome, too. Initially, a two-berth, with end washroom, there’s also a large lounge area towards the front and a particularly well-equipped kitchen. On top of this, as you’d expect from Auto-Trail, it’s a very generous specification.

The lounge area is particularly spacious, with a longer settee along the offside, shorter on nearside (the black leather upholstery is an optional extra), and a free-standing table (with its own dedicated travel locker). You’ll get great views out via the extensive area of windscreen, which comes with a two-way electric blind that can be raised or lowered depending on how much you want to view and/or protect your privacy.

There’s a flat floor throughout the Auto-Trail Grande Frontier GF-70 and it’s but the shortest of walks to the kitchen, with its full cooker (dual-fuel hob, separate oven and grill), microwave, inset sink in the stylish slate-effect worktop, extensive storage (two drawers, slide-out chrome racking), large overhead lockers, pan store and more. It’s the kitchen’s L-shaped unit that optimises worktop as well as storage space.

Across the corridor, as well as more lockers and a decent-sized wardrobe, the slimline Thetford fridge/freezer has a 142-litre capacity and comes with automatic energy selection.

That washroom isn’t quite full width (there’s a full-height exterior-access locker, with drop-down shelves, on the nearside), but there’s still sufficient space for a larger-then-average, plastic-lined shower cubicle, along with the usual swivel-bowl toilet and a fixed washbasin.

There’s also more than generous storage in here, with lockers over and below the basin, open shelving and a mirrored vanity unit.

As for kit in the Auto-Trail Grande Frontier GF-70, there’s a Media Pack (the Media+ is more, but gives you satellite TV reception), which extends to a 21.5in Avtex TV and Xzent touchscreen “infotainment” unit (with satnav and reversing camera), Alde heating, 100Watt solar panel, lots of interior lighting (including dimmable ambient strips), on-board wi-fi… you probably get the picture but this is an impressive touring machine!

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Verdict: Best of British goes straight to the top of the A-class

Plus: British-made, excellent kitchen, and washroom

Minus: Low initial payload, main bed needs some detail upgrades

In-a-nutshell: A-class apart

There’s more information on the Grande Frontier range on the Auto-Trail website. Find out more about insuring this or your current motorhome on our motorhome insurance page.

Alternatives: Pilote Galaxy G690D