The underlying livery of this Globetrotter is sparkling metallic silver, with a stylishly shaped black panel around the cab windows contrasting with a white radiator grill that flows into a narrow white skirt down each side. Combined with the edges of the cool white roof and rear panel, these white lines neatly define the shape of the Globetrotter.
Sitting serenely on a trio (per side) of smart alloy wheels, it is definitely ready to 'go and have some fun'.
Taking the Globetrotter for a drive…
Some of the important things you can't see are worth a mention at this point. Dethleffs have chosen the Fiat Ducato as the base vehicle but have replaced the Fiat chassis with low platform chassis from Alko that has wider rear axles for stability with axle stabilisers and stronger springs that provide 'automobile-like' comfort.
Like most current European vehicles, the Fiat has a broad suite of braking and stability assistance programs built-in as standard as well as the most useful 'hill-hold' and 'hill descent control' programmes that make starting on hills and descending hills much safer for drivers not familiar with driving heavy vehicles.
While the Globetrotter is available with the 2.3-litre motor, in view of our hilly New Zealand terrain, Acacia Motorhomes proprietor, Jonas (the accredited Dethleffs agent in New Zealand) has elected to import the three-litre Multi-jet 180 Maxi 177 BHP turbo-diesel model.
After just a short drive through the undulating eastern suburbs of Auckland, I believe he has made the correct choice. The Ducato is front-wheel drive though a six-speed automated manual transmission gearbox (AMT). Drivers and passenger airbags are fitted.
Cab driver comforts include cruise control, cab air conditioning and electric windows.
Bigger kitchen & bathroom
At 8.71 metres long, this Globetrotter A-class is the largest Dethleffs motorhome Acacia Motorhomes have imported.
The real attraction is of course, what that extra length contains; what do you get for your money? That would be a bigger kitchen with lots of cupboards and drawers, a more spacious lounge dinette, and being able to enclose the shower stall/toilet vanity to create a spacious en suite.
The kitchen is one of the best I've seen in a Euro RV. It’s very stylish, has plenty of usefully shaped cupboards and drawers, and adequate bench space. The 190-litre fridge/freezer is a beauty but I'm not sold on the placement of the oven above the fridge. It may be the only space available but cautious cooks like myself still fear the prospect of an accident with a hot dish of food exiting the oven out of control.
As for the bathroom, the curved white toilet door swings open 90 degrees and can latch shut in this position to close off the lounge/kitchen area. Sliding mirror-glass doors close off the bedroom on the other side creating an en suite – shower on one side, toilet/vanity on the other.
The layout
As you'd expect, there is plenty of room inside the Globetrotter Xli for six, either for casual entertaining or dining.
An overhead bed drops down on belts into the cab space. It is a generous bed, made cosy and inviting by the sheer curtains that screen the sides as it drops. It is easy to access – just a step up from the side settee. The decor is conservative autumn tones and the quality superb.
The 2000 by 1500mm king-sized bed is higher than normal to accommodate the garage, but access is eased by having the floor step up either side. There are four useful sized lockers under the floor suitable for shoes and other odds and ends.
Three large drawers at the foot of the bed more than offset the loss of under-bed storage. There are hanging lockers and a drawer cabinet either side of the bed and three overhead lockers above.
The verdict
This is a motorhome for the discerning buyer. Dethleffs have built it around the needs of owners who will spend months at a time in their Globetrotter. They have added a generous dash of style and offered it to buyers saying 'come and have some fun'.
The Globetrotter as reviewed included the $6000 'options pack' and retails for $230,000. As a special introductory offer for a limited time Acacia Motorhomes is including the $6000 'options pack' in the basic price of $224,000.
For further information phone (09) 534 0823 or 021 227 6662.
For the full review, check out issue 125 of Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations magazine. Subscribe here.
