McLouis Fusion 373 2025

McLouis Fusion models were originally developed as a partnership between the Italian motorhome manufacturer McLouis and UK brand Auto-Sleepers.

Initially, the idea was to tempt first-time buyers with a product that, while cheaper than Auto-Sleepers and possibly more youth-oriented, might potentially persuade them to consider buying an Auto-Sleeper motorhome in a more well-heeled future.

This season, that philosophy seems to have evolved, because all four Fusion models (the island bed motorhome in the range, the 367, has been dropped) have had a revamp that, on the inside at least, makes them much more Continental than before, with pale colours and not much in the way of wood veneer anywhere.

I took the McLouis Fusion 373, a motorhome with fixed single beds, for a spin around Norfolk to test it out.

Exterior and cab

In previous years, McLouis Fusion models had a Lanzarote grey cab and an otherwise mainly white exterior with red and grey decals swooshing back – the kind of thing that you’d
see gracing the sides of many low-profile motorhomes sold in the UK.

This year, they return with a white cab, while the three remaining sides are almost entirely silver-grey with white surrounds, and just a single black slash down the sides and across the front of the Luton.

There is also some heavy branding. It all looks a lot more sophisticated, especially with the smart black alloy wheels, and frankly, a lot more Continental.

All production models will be built on the Series 10 Fiat Ducato, with its opinion-dividing, heavily branded new horizontal front grille, but also with new driver safety features, an electric parking brake and a new cab with a 9in Pioneer DAB radio with Apple Carplay or Android Auto, and an integrated rear-view camera and sat nav. In short, plenty of features for an enjoyable experience when driving a motorhome.

The new Ducato will also feature, as an optional extra, an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Fiat changed to this new gearbox – from a nine-speed version launched as the Ducato’s first ever “proper” auto gearbox only five years ago – in May this year. It is said to offer better comfort and efficiency.

My test model, being a prototype, was based on the old Series 9, with six-speed manual transmission. It was still very pleasant to drive though, which will always be a consideration when you’re buying a motorhome. It certainly doesn’t feel as though you are driving a ’van that’s 7.45m long, even with just the 140bhp standard engine fitted.

Behind the cab, the forward-facing settee includes two travel seats. These are a bit of a squeeze to get into, but whoever sits here will find the nearby USB and USB-C socket very handy, and they’ll also have an excellent view through the big window.

My test model included an optional fifth travel seat, facing backwards, that you make up out of the side seat on the nearside. I initially had questions about this –I thought any bigger child or adult sitting here would perhaps knock their head against the housing for the drop-down bed that is immediately behind the seat. However, I come to 6ft 6in and when I tried it, I didn’t find this an issue.

Whoever sits at this seat won’t have a window to look out of, and may need to dangle their feet in the stairwell. As a result, it is probably only suitable for shorter journeys, as opposed to being used during one of the best road trips in the UK. But it is simple to put together: you just need to turn the cushions. Now why can’t all travel seats be as easy as this?

On arrival, both the hook-up point and the water inlet are located nicely away from the habitation door. But sadly, owing to the motorhome layout, the same can’t be said for the cassette access: it is just a foot from the door, so would be emptied within an awning.

One bonus from this model is that it includes full central locking – on all of the doors. Just one click, and you can simply walk away.

Lounging and dining in the McLouis Fusion 373

The Continental look continues once you go inside, with the assistance of a grab handle. A couple of light switches located just under that handle mean you shouldn’t be stepping into the dark, even at night-time.

For 2025, McLouis has replaced the medium dark-wood veneer that used to grace most of the walls here, with a light, speckled foil wrap. I think this is likely to prove much more hardwearing in the longer term.

UK models will come with carpets as standard, but if you remove them, the light flooring complements this new look and makes the whole interior much brighter than average.

With the cab seats swivelled, the lounge can easily seat five people, and the table is big enough to extend out to the side seat, something we like to see in this type of motorhome. Even without any window behind this, daylight easily gets in through the opening sunroof and the other window.

At night, this area is brightened by the LEDs under the drop-down bed, and the huge amount of ambient light here, including around the mirror just by the door and in the Plexiglass panels located on the edge of the settee.

There are no lights for focus near the cab seats, however, and if the two of you like to stretch out in the cab seats when you are touring on your own and use the lounge seats as a footrest, then whoever does this in the passenger seat will find they have to stretch their legs around the half-partition that acts as a support for that fifth travel seat. And that is likely to be slightly irritating.

From this position, though, you can easily watch your set if you’ve packed the best motorhome TV. The bracket and sockets are above the fridge on the other side of the door. Together with the solar panel controls, this is actually a bit of an eyesore in an otherwise slick interior. The sockets are also the only mains sockets in the lounge area, although the two in the kitchen are closer to anyone on the settee.

The kitchen in the McLouis Fusion 373

You could say the Continental feel extends to the kitchen, because you only get a two-burner gas hob here, although it is large enough for big pans. However, there’s a combined oven and grill below, and the unit is L-shaped, to make the most of the available space.

The sink is a good size, and it is very well lit, with a striplight under the locker and another big LED above you, which you just need to press to switch on. This year, a handy little spice rack is positioned to the right of the hob, and there is enough space under the sockets for a motorhome kettle or toaster.

On the other side of the aisle there is a slimline AES fridge. But there isn’t any microwave.

The washroom in the McLouis Fusion 373

The floor remains flat all the way to the bedroom, so there are no potential trip hazards on your journey to the washroom. You have to squeeze around the swing door, but not as much as you might do in other motorhomes I have seen of around this length and with a similar layout. I was a bit surprised, though, to see that the only partition between here and the rear bedroom is a plastic concertina screen. As a result, the dressing area doesn’t feel quite so private. Even the swing door has a substantial gap above it.

There is quite a step (with a lip) up to the offside shower, and the wheel arch intrudes. But there is good headroom, with two drainage holes, a small vent and (new for this season) a rail for drying wet clothes.

You step up to the main washroom, which has a basin, a lit mirror, a soap rack with hooks for flannels, a towel hook and a toilet roll holder.

Sleeping in the McLouis Fusion 373

Both of the single beds at the back are 2m long, and very comfortable. The medium-sized Heki and two medium windows allow in a fair amount of daylight, while at night, you have two individually switched, angled spotlights, a push-on LED light – similar to the one in the kitchen – which is an easy reach from the bed, and ambient light (this can only be controlled from the bed on the nearside).

If you want, you can turn these two singles into a huge, luxurious double, with the aid of a cushioned panel you slip between them at the front.

You do need to clip this on then fasten the clips, which involves having to crawl underneath it, and once it is in place, access to the cupboards and cubbyholes is a little restricted. But the ladder you use to get up to the bed can be positioned with the washroom door closed, so you still get your privacy.

The drop-down bed is large and comes with two reading lights. It only drops so far, but is easily accessible via the ladder provided. The ladder doesn’t really get in the way, although the bed partially obstructs the habitation door.

Because of the bed’s height, when it’s lowered you can still just about make use of the front lounge underneath – the LEDs below the bed should help to keep things nicely illuminated here.

My test model included the option of a fifth bed, which is assembled by lowering the table, clipping on a platform with a leg that is otherwise stored in the garage, and adding just two infill cushions.

Agreed, this kind of bed is never going to be superbly comfortable; but I was impressed at the inclusion of this useful extra platform. In some other motorhomes with this kind of make-up bed, it feels as though the whole thing might collapse if a hefty adult ever sat on it.

Storage in the McLouis Fusion 373

The 373 is blessed with a huge garage, easily accessible through large doors on either side, something which will be incredibly helpful when it comes to loading a motorhome. For 2025, this also comes with a mains socket, lighting, and holds for bikes.

You might not even need to load any suitcase in here, however, because under the nearside rear bed there is a huge wardrobe that easily has enough space to store one. It also has a hanging rail that runs most of the length of the bed.

The wardrobe below the offside bed is almost as large, and comes with shelves. Both of these storage areas can also be accessed by lifting the bed slats, which stay up even with the mattresses on top of them. There are two large shelved overhead lockers in here, plus open shelving on the far side of each bed – where you can store glasses or a book – and two branded magazine pouches further down, to match the one you’ll find by the door.

Anyone sleeping in the rear, then, is well catered for. Those in the front, perhaps less so. There are two overhead lockers here, but no space under the seats and only a small pelmet shelf over the cab. Once the drop-down bed lowers, there are cubbyholes at each end of it, but these are going to be pretty inaccessible during the daytime. Those under-the-bed wardrobes could be large for a very good reason.

The kitchen comes with one big shelved overhead locker, and a bit of one of the cubbyholes just behind the drop-down bed.

Below is a large cupboard on the left with an internal drawer, a shallow shelf below that, and a substantial space at the bottom. This could be the only place for storing large pans, as the pan locker under the oven is no great size.

The washroom has a cupboard under the basin, a cubbyhole behind the toilet and one overhead locker.

Don’t forget to make sure you’re aware of all of the relevant motorhome weights before you load your ‘van too, to ensure you stay safe and legal on the road.

Equipment in the McLouis Fusion 373

The interior finish may set the McLouis apart from others, but in terms of the equipment provided on board, it is fairly conventional. However, the motorhome heating system, which comes in the form of Truma Combi 6E heating, will allow you to use this vehicle comfortably all year round, and the anti-frost device that comes with it, and which you should keep a regular eye on, is easily accessible – not in the living area, but in the garage. There’s also a 120W solar panel.

Lighting is certainly more extensive and flexible than average, but then you don’t get any lights in the cab.

There’s a big fridge, but you only get a combined oven and grill, and a smaller hob than you might expect to find on UK-made alternatives. I would have liked to see perhaps one more mains socket in the living area, too.

Buy if… 

You are a couple or a family with small kids, you like Continental styling, and you eat out quite often. Families with more discerning older children, or groups of adults, could find having storage space so weighted towards the back a touch tiresome for those sleeping in the front.

Alternatives to try

If you like a Continental style and want a Fiat Ducato-based option, the Pilote P720U Expression has an excellent washroom and provides brilliant storage if you’re touring as a four. Alternatively, the Bailey Adamo 75-4I provides an excellent driving experience, a comfortable interior and a good kitchen.

Technical spec as tested

• Price: £79,495
• Chassis: Fiat Ducato Engine 2.2-litre, 140bhp
• Power: 140bhp @ 3500rpm Torque 350Nm @ 1400rpm
• Transmission: Six-speed manual (with an option for eight-speed automatic)
• Price: TBC (£77,995 in 2024)
• Sleeps: 4 (option for 5)
• Belts: 4 (option for 5)
• Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato
• Engine: 2.2-litre, 140bhp 
  
• Length/width/height: 7.45/2.33/2.95m (24’4”/7’6”/9’7”)
  
• MTPLM: 3500kg (option to raise to 3650kg)
• Payload: 428kg
  
• Water (fresh/waste): 115/135 litres
• Website: www.mclouisfusion.co.uk

Conversion

Fiat Ducato chassis, Lanzarote grey metallic cab, glass fibre underbody, 33mm anti-hail roof, automatic air conditioning, front fog lights, mains socket in garage

Lounging and dining

Front lounge with pedestal table, L-shaped settee and side seat. Blinds and flyscreens to all windows, Truma heating, LED lighting. USB and USB-C socket, 12V sockets

Kitchen

Two-burner gas hob, combined oven and grill, 150-litre AES fridge, stainless-steel circular sink

Sleeping

• Rear single beds: 2.00 x 0.83m
• Drop-down double bed: 1.95 x 1.30m
• Front single bed (optional): N/A

Making sure you’re aware of the common pitfalls will be an important step in ensuring you get the right ‘van – take a look at our guide to how to choose a motorhome to ensure you know everything you need to know.

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