Verdict
The flexible sleeping arrangements in a single-axle van make this a winner for families – 8/10
Pros
The design of the 556 has to be praised
The Quasar is shorter than and almost as light as the Amara, but has an extra berth
The flexibility of its rear dinette means it will suit a family with two, three or four children.
Cons
The washroom is tight on space
It is shorter than the Coachman’s and because of the van’s narrow body width, it is also shallower
The kitchen has also been squeezed to accommodate the extra bunk, and lacks storage.
Pitching & Setting-up
The Quasar is built on an Al-Ko chassis with an Al-Ko stabiliser, buttonless handbrake and 13-pin electrics as standard. Other standard equipment includes a barbecue point, mains socket and wet locker. The van also has a super pitch connection point.
The door of the large front locker is held high by two gas struts. Access to the two gas cylinders is easy. Access to the steadies is also easy and the Quasar’s waste pipes are on the offside of the van. Step inside and you’ll find all controls grouped together on a panel just by the entrance.
Living
The Quasar’s styling is cheerful and modern. The light wood tones and worksurfaces make it feel light and open inside, so much so that the narrower body shell is hardly noticeable.
The front lounge is short of full length, but, thanks to a smaller-than-normal chest, there is still room for parents and two or three kids. The sofas have bolster cushions and throw cushions are also provided, so it is very comfortable. There’s a Heki rooflight for natural light, and a ceiling light, two corner lights and two spotlights for evening. A TV and power point is provided by the chest. The Quasar also has a radio/CD/MP3 player, two speakers and a directional aerial.
The rear dinette is the larger of the two, providing plenty of space for four kids, even at meal times. It also has a chest with a TV and power point nearby as well as a Heki rooflight, ceiling light and four spotlights.
Kitchen
With such a large dinette in the rear of the van, it’s unsurprising that the Quasar’s kitchen feels a little squeezed. But it still has all the equipment a family will need. There’s a 112-litre fridge, separate oven and grill, three-burner hob and microwave. Two power points are provided, both near the strip of worksurface. The Quasar too has a recessed drainer, though it does not have a glass lid for the sink, so the lack of worksurface is more keenly felt here than in the Amara.
The lack of storage is also a bigger problem in the Quasar than the Amara. A large overhead locker with plate and cup racks provides ample space for crockery. But a good portion of the floor-level storage is dedicated to housing the two tables, so the only remaining cupboard is not adequate for a family’s food. We think Lunar would have been better off using some of the wardrobe space to store the table as Coachman does.
Washroom
The Quasar’s washroom is equipped with a separate shower and solid screen; a swivel toilet; a basin and a large mirror with a spotlight above it. All this equipment means, on paper, the Quasar’s washroom looks able to serve a family. But in reality space is tight.
Using the loo and supervising teeth brushing will be fine. But getting dried and dressed after a shower would be tricky in the small space. Families may prefer to use the facilities on site.
Despite the small space, storage is good. There is only one shelf in the shower, but the wheel arch makes a handy spot to put your shampoo. There are open shelves by the mirror and the cupboard below the basin has shelves to make better use of the space.
Beds
The Quasar’s front double bed is 10cm narrower than that in the Amara, but otherwise the make-up is remarkably similar. The bed is made with slats and the cushions are a good fit. If you want to use the sofas as single beds you’ll find them very short – 1.70m.
It’s the rear beds that differ so markedly. The full-size dinette not only provides an extra berth, but several different configurations. The seats can transform into a double bed with or without bunks above; two bunks with seating or a single bed beside them; or four bunks. The extra cushions provided for the bunks are a good fit and guards and ladder are provided for both upper bunks. A material door separates the bunks from the rest of the van.
Storage
Both dinettes have overhead lockers with positive catches. There are four large ones in the front and six smaller, narrower ones in the rear. There are also under-seat boxes in both dinettes. All have supported lids and front access, and the two in the rear are accessible from outside the van.
The heater is fitted below the wardrobe, so it has no shelves or drawers, but adequate hanging space.
Technical Specifications
| Berth | 6 |
| MiRO | 1289 kg |
| Payload | 210 kg |
| MTPLM | 1499 kg |
| Shipping Length | 6.39 m |
| Width | 2.16 m |
