The much-anticipated B-Glass Geist Phantom has finally arrived in Australia and it's better than merely excellent.

There hasn't been a lot to get excited about in locally produced motorhomes for some time. Ours is a very small market and apart from a few innovative manufacturers, the bulk of the vehicles in showrooms look remarkably like those of more than a decade ago. Why is this so? Because rather than innovate, most companies simply copy American designs, which for the most part are stuck firmly in the 1980s and early '90s.

However, the last two years has seen the arrival of European motorhomes and what a fuss they've caused. Some local companies cried foul, citing compliance issues and mounting disinformation and smear campaigns to frighten off potential buyers. Fortunately, the importers have been persistent and have jumped through hoops, with the result that at least one brand, Geist, is now fully Australian compliant and ready to roll.

Their Phantom is a B-Class motorhome (no bed over the cab) on a Mercedes Sprinter cab-chassis that's able to be driven on a standard car license. Geist is part of a larger group that produces more motorhomes in six months than, for example, Winnebago has in the last 40 years.

The Phantom is a comprehensively equipped package that not only looks the business, it's good value and seems well made.

Technically talking

Our test Phantom is built on the just-superseded Sprinter and also has the motorhome door on the driver's side. Inconvenient for Australian conditions, it appears Geist will soon be shifting the door to the proper side as well as sending out Phantoms on the new Sprinter cab-chassis. Both changes will greatly enhance its appeal in Australia.

The body is streamlined while the rakish fibreglass nosecone reduces wind resistance and helps lower fuel consumption. Construction mainly consists of an outer skin of aluminium, an inner lining of ply and a core of foam insulation; all vacuum bonded together. This keeps the vehicle light, gives a smooth finish and makes it easy to keep clean. Despite the comprehensive standard equipment list the four-berth Phantom boasts a 1200kg payload. It also has a useful 1900kg towing capacity, so taking a small boat or trailer along is easy, too. External storage is good, with a through-bin and a tall, corner cupboard at the rear, plus smaller side lockers.

The Sprinter has a 2.7-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel driving through a five-speed auto and it moves the Phantom along nicely. This is also the first Sprinter I've seen with a full wood-grain kit on the dash, adding a touch of style to the usually bland grey plastic cabin area. Through access to the living area is easy as the cab is quite wide, so the co-pilot has no excuse for not getting the kettle on within moments of stopping. Both front seats swivel, although the driver's doesn't turn completely around, and if you need to carry passengers the dinette has lap-sash seatbelts for two and provides a good view to the side as well as through the windscreen.

The inside story

There are two Phantom floor plans; this one with the rear corner bed and bathroom, and another with a bed across the back and a side bathroom. I'd probably choose the latter as the bed doesn't have a chamfered corner, although the bathroom seems slightly smaller. Also, the bed is mounted quite high up, providing a huge rear boot that can accommodate bicycles and the like. Very practical…

Standard equipment includes a two-door gas/electric fridge freezer, oven and a slide-out pantry, roof-mounted airconditioner, a combined gas hot water and ducted central heating system, a DVD/CD/radio and MP3 player with ceiling-mounted speakers, a 15-inch flat screen TV and much more. Oddly, a microwave is optional; something even the cheapest vehicles usually have as standard. About the only other thing I'd like to see is a second house battery - and maybe solar panels or one of the new EFOY fuel cells power sources. The solar panels and extra house battery are cost optionally available - the fuel cell would need to be retro-fitted.

Come dinner time the dinette can be extended to accommodate four or five, helped by the swivelling cab seats and the two-seater settee behind the driver's seat. The dinette also converts to a second bed, which is actually a better shape than the main one. The angled rear bed is okay as long as one of you is rather short, while the rear corner bathroom is nicely equipped and has a separate shower with a curved and folding - if somewhat flimsy - screen. The whole interior is nicely finished, with warm and inviting colours, curved cabinetry and some really thoughtful touches. Think of it as IKEA-on-wheels…

In the end

Geist's Phantom has had a difficult local birth but it's been worth the wait. It seems well built, is thoughtfully designed and very nicely finished. It also brings style and panache to a market sorely needing it, while for the money it's a good buy and definitely worth considering. You'll likely hear some local players shouting "Holy Geist" now it's finally arrived.

Thanks to Trevor of Geist Caravans & Motorhomes, 3/392 Manns Rd, West Gosford, NSW 2250. Tel: (02) 4324 7606

Review published in Caravan + RV magazine, Autumn 2007. Words Richard Robertson, photos Phil Cooper.