Verdict
The latest Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a fine base vehicle, its 6.95m length allowing more living space than the average van conversion, which was very apparent throughout Practical Motorhome’s review of this camper. The Lunar Landstar RL’s smart looks and practicality make it an attractive option for couples.
Pros
There’s plenty of food preparation space
The sofas can be used as singles or a double
Cons
There’s a separate shower, but it’s not plastic lined and there’s no window
Lunar has long been associated with motorhome manufacture. A coachbuilt riding a Mercedes-Benz base vehicle, its first Roadstar model was produced 30 years ago.
Lunar continued to build motorhomes before ceasing production in 2008 to focus on touring caravans. The firm recently rejoined the market, but this time focusing on van conversions. In 2013 it launched the Nissan-based micro-motorhome Vacanza, now re-named Camper Car. It has followed this with a larger conversion, the Landstar RL, bringing back a flavour of the old Roadstar name.
Launched at the Caravan and Camping Show at Birmingham’s NEC in February, the Mercedes-Benz based high-top is designed to appeal to couples who want coachbuilt-style accommodation within a compact and easier-to-park panel-van package. The Landstar’s layout comprises a rear lounge, offside washroom and wardrobe, and nearside kitchen.
The ’van’s silver bodywork boasts bold graphics in blue, grey and black. Alloy wheels complete the smart exterior. All the service points – water filler, mains electrics socket and the toilet cassette hatch – are located on the offside. Grade 3 thermal insulation accreditation allows year-round touring.
The electric step extends automatically when the ’van is unlocked, and retracts when locked
Living
The Lunar Landstar RL’s lounge is bright and airy, and the headroom is very impressive. Couple that with unfussy, modern décor and you get a great feeling of spaciousness.
Suede-effect stain-resistant upholstery can afford to be in pale colours, but only two scatter cushions and bolster cushions are supplied.
The rear lounge area has a captain’s swivel table that stores neatly away in one side of the small wardrobe.
The windows in the sidewalls could do with being bigger to let in more light, but a Heki rooflight helps with natural light and ventilation.
Night lighting is courtesy of four LED corner spots and dimmable integral roof locker lighting. Roof lockers bear a gloss finish with chrome handles, giving this motorhome a Continental feel, while twin speakers for the radio are ceiling mounted by the rear doors.
Kitchen
In the kitchen, users get a good length of worktop helped further by glass covers for the sink and hob, a removable draining board and flap extensions at each end. A Dometic oven and three-burner hob are fitted, with a microwave above. There’s also a decent sized cupboard to stow pots and pans.
Opposite the kitchen is a Dometic 95-litre fridge fitted below the small wardrobe. Kitchen storage is good, comprising an overhead locker, a drawer and two cupboards. The sink comes with a large domestic-style chrome tap.
Washroom
The Sprinter’s extra length allows a separate shower cubicle in the washroom, but it’s not a moulded plastic unit and there is no window fitted. The remaining washroom spec includes a Thetford swivel cassette toilet and a small hand basin, which has storage below it and a large mirror above.
Beds
The two settees at 6ft 3in x 2ft 3in are long enough to be used as single beds, or will convert easily into a large double. Four spotlights illuminate each end of the sofas – having four helps when the sofas are configured either as singles or as a double bed.
Storage
On the side of the wardrobe, facing into the lounge, are the TV bracket, the aerial point and the mains socket, one of five in the ’van. The Truma Combi heating control panel is in the lounge area.
The fridge’s location, below the wardrobe, means space for clothes is reduced, but the fridge is raised from the floor for convenience.
There’s dedicated cupboard space for the table next to the small offside wardrobe, which takes a nibble from the clothes hanging space.
Technical Specifications
| Payload | 420 kg |
| MTPLM | 3500 kg |
| Shipping Length | 6.95 m |
| Width | 1.99 m |
