The
Free Spirit may be just the ticket for RVers looking for a sleek
diesel motorhome that can double as a second car.
It is easy to fall in love with
Class B motorhomes. Luxurious enough for cross-country touring,
they're still nimble enough to negotiate crowded parking lots
when you need to duck out to the mall. One of the newest Class
B platforms is the Free Spirit 210 by Leisure Travel Vans, and
a family reunion near Winnipeg last July provided the perfect
opportunity to take one for a road test.
 The
Free Spirit begins its life as a DaimlerChrysler Sprinter chassis.
Leisure was the first of the B conversion companies to adopt
the new frame when Chrysler discontinued the venerable Dodge
van platform last year, so the company gained a head start on
working with the new mount. It has evolved into three distinct
floor plans - the Free Spirit 210A and 210B, which each seat
five people and sleep two, and the 3S model which seats six
passengers and sleeps three with the electric rear sofa. Our
test unit was the 210A, which features the kitchen on the street
side of the unit with a large window just above the sink. Our
Free Spirit had the optional electric sofa in place of the rear
dinette.
The Free Spirit is powered by a 2.7-liter turbocharged Mercedes
Benz diesel with common rail direct injection. Apart from being
very quiet, the five cylinder engine delivers incredible fuel
economy. To my delight, I found the Free Spirit's 95 liter fuel
tank gave me a range of 885 kilometers. When I did finally have
to stop for fuel, I faced an interesting dilemma - the van's
sleek exterior doesn't have the traditional door hiding the
fuel tank neck. The first time you fill up, you have to look
closely to spot it, hiding seamlessly along the exterior panels
by the driver's door. Neat.
The interior is spacious and thoughtfully designed. While Euro-style
white cabinetry is standard, our test unit had cinnamon maple
cabinets, one of three optional finishes available (the others
are cherry and honey birch). With a choice of five interior
decor schemes, this allows you to create an RV that truly reflects
your own unique tastes.
The kitchen cupboards and drawers were quite spacious and neatly
finished. A tip-out tray under the sink, and an extra drawer
under the stove, make the most of the available space. The tip-out
tray was a great feature - I found it came in very handy for
preparing snacks. A spacious, wire basket-style pull-out pantry
offers substantial storage for packaged foodstuffs. A unique
combination locking table pedestal and sliding table is standard,
as is a stainless steel sink. Our unit also featured a 12-cup
coffee maker in lieu of a cabinet above the kitchen sink, which
was a big hit each morning. Rounding out the major kitchen features
are a three-way Norcold refrigerator and a microwave. The 210B
model features a kitchen corner cabinet located by the sliding
door. It's an option on the A floor plan.
...
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