Being able to enjoy the outdoors is one of the major things that attracts people to camping, and German motorhome maker La Strada is reaching the wilderness a little easier by launching the new Regent S that rides on the 4x4 Sprinter chassis.
Gallery: La Strada Regent S Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Camper
The Sprinter generally comes with a part-time four-wheel-drive system, but La Strada partners with an Austrian company to replace this tech with full-time all-wheel drive. To add even more off-road ability, a low-range transfer case, locking differentials, and all-terrain tyres are available options. Climbing over rugged terrain is easier thanks to a suspension that's higher by 110 millimetres in front and 80 mm in the rear.
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Buyers have two engine options. The base powerplant is a 2.2-litre turbodiesel making 161 bhp. Customers can upgrade to a 3.0-litre turbodiesel with 188 bhp.
Being able to drive a campervan comfortably for long distances is a very important factor for buyers, and La Strada makes that possible by retaining the Sprinter's advanced driver assistance features, like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and 360-degree camera system.
The Regent S comes standard with seating for four, but there's only a double bed, so two people would need to sleep outside. There's an optional extra bed, though. The cabin also has a kitchenette with a three-burner stove and a small refrigerator. There's a wet toilet room layout that combines the shower, sink, and toilet into a single space. An available outdoor shower lets folks enjoy the outdoors while getting clean.
The Regent S 4WD starts at 80,265 euros (£70,000 at the current exchange rate), but there is a bevy of options for taking the price significantly higher. Many of the upgrades are simple things like different wheel designs or tow bars, but there are also functional improvements like automatic climate control and a larger fuel tank.