When you’re considering a premium motorhome for extended European adventures, the Carthago Chic E-Line I 51 QB deserves your serious attention. This flagship model from the German manufacturer represents the culmination of decades of engineering expertise, dating back to their beginnings converting VW vans in 1979.
You’re looking at a substantial investment here; when new in 2016, this model commanded around £95,000 before upgrades, with fully-specified versions exceeding £100,000. Seven years on, these vehicles still maintain impressive resale values, testament to their build quality and enduring appeal.
If you’re an experienced motorhome owner looking to upgrade to something truly special, the Chic E-Line offers a compelling blend of luxury, practicality and engineering excellence that rewards discerning buyers.
Size and Practicality
You’ll immediately notice the Chic E-Line’s commanding presence on the road. Standing over 3 metres tall and just over 2 metres wide, this is a substantial vehicle that demands respect, both from you as the driver and from other road users who tend to give it plenty of space.
With a gross weight of 4.5 tonnes, you’ll need a C1 licence to drive this motorhome legally in the UK. This weight classification isn’t just about size, it allows for a generous payload of 837kg, giving you ample capacity for all your touring essentials without compromising on comfort.
The large rear garage is a standout practical feature, offering enough space for bulky outdoor equipment. You’ll appreciate thoughtful additions like the outdoor shower, 12V socket and 240V outlet in this area, perfect for cleaning off muddy gear or charging outdoor equipment without bringing it inside.
Driving and Handling
When you take the wheel of the Chic E-Line, you’ll benefit from the upgraded 3.0-litre 180bhp engine that comes with this particular model. This represents a significant power boost over the standard 2.3-litre 130bhp unit, providing reassuring performance when tackling mountain passes or overtaking on motorways.
Despite its imposing dimensions, owners report that the Chic E-Line handles with surprising agility. The double-floor construction contributes to a lower centre of gravity, enhancing stability through corners and reducing susceptibility to crosswinds.
You’ll find the cab environment offers excellent visibility, with large mirrors helping you manage the vehicle’s width. The driving position is commanding, and the seats provide proper support for those longer touring days that this motorhome was designed to handle with ease.
Living Space
When you step inside the Chic E-Line, you’re greeted by a spacious, well-designed interior that revolves around a substantial L-shaped lounge. The large round table is a distinctive feature, though some users find it somewhat oversized for the space.
You’ll appreciate the thoughtful lighting design, with a combination of ambient and task lighting creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. The light-coloured upholstery looks elegant but does raise practical concerns about staining, particularly if you’re travelling with children or grandchildren.
The central locking system for interior cabinets is a standout feature you’ll quickly come to appreciate. At the touch of a button, all your cupboards, drawers and even the bathroom door lock securely for travel, ensuring your belongings stay exactly where you put them, even when navigating winding Alpine roads.
Sleeping Comfort
You’ll understand the “QB” designation when you see the impressive island queen bed that dominates the rear sleeping area. This fixed bed offers generous proportions and eliminates the nightly ritual of converting dining areas into sleeping spaces.
Above the cab, you’ll find a drop-down double bed that provides additional sleeping accommodation. When lowered, it requires the front seats to be folded forward, but the system is engineered for ease of use, particularly welcome after a long day of touring.
What you’ll particularly value is that both sleeping areas are permanently made up, meaning no complex conversions or hunting for bedding at the end of a tiring day. For couples occasionally travelling with guests, this arrangement offers the perfect balance of convenience and privacy.
Kitchen Functionality
You’ll find the kitchen in the Chic E-Line punches well above its weight for a mobile cooking space. The three-burner hob, ample counter space and clever storage solutions create a genuinely usable culinary environment.
The inclusion of a De’Longhi coffee machine, neatly tucked away when not in use, exemplifies Carthago’s attention to detail and understanding of what luxury motorhome owners value. The kitchen also features high-quality glassware, including proper brandy glasses, reflecting the sophisticated lifestyle this vehicle is designed to support.
Perhaps the most practical kitchen feature is the central locking system that secures all drawers and cupboards during transit. You’ll no longer worry about finding your kitchen contents scattered across the floor after a particularly winding stretch of road – everything stays exactly where it should be.
Bathroom Usability
When you explore the bathroom facilities, you’ll discover a well-designed space that makes excellent use of the available dimensions. The separate “waterfall style” shower is particularly impressive, offering enough room for larger users without feeling cramped.
The toilet compartment is positioned opposite the shower, creating a practical division of wet and dry areas. Like the kitchen cabinets, the bathroom door benefits from the central locking system, ensuring privacy and security while travelling.
You’ll find an abundance of mirrors throughout the bathroom area, enhancing the sense of space while providing practical functionality. The overall design prioritises usability without compromising on the luxury feel that permeates the rest of the vehicle.
Power and Systems
You’ll be well-equipped for extended off-grid adventures with the Chic E-Line’s comprehensive power systems. The model comes with substantial battery capacity, and many examples have been upgraded with solar panels to enhance self-sufficiency.
The control panels are thoughtfully positioned, accessible but discreetly tucked away under a cover to maintain the clean aesthetic of the living space. The interface is designed to be straightforward and intuitive, allowing you to monitor and manage your resources with minimal fuss.
Heating comes courtesy of a Truma system that provides efficient climate control throughout the vehicle. The double-floor construction offers excellent insulation, helping to maintain comfortable temperatures while reducing energy consumption, particularly valuable during cooler seasons or at higher altitudes.
Storage Options
You’ll never feel short of storage space in the Chic E-Line. Beyond the substantial external garage, the interior offers a wealth of cleverly designed storage solutions throughout.
The kitchen features deep drawers and spacious cupboards for all your culinary equipment and provisions. The “huge” cupboard mentioned specifically for bins and condiments demonstrates Carthago’s understanding of practical needs during extended trips.
Around the bedroom area, you’ll find ample wardrobe space and additional storage under the island bed, accessible via a lifting mechanism. This thoughtful approach to storage continues throughout the vehicle, ensuring there’s a designated place for everything you might need on your travels.
Suitability for Different Uses
You’ll find the Chic E-Line I 51 QB particularly well-suited to extended European touring. Its combination of comfort, self-sufficiency and practical features makes it ideal for longer trips where you’ll appreciate the thoughtful design touches that might go unnoticed on shorter outings.
For couples looking to travel in luxury, this motorhome offers the perfect balance of space and manageability. The four-berth, four-belt configuration means you can occasionally accommodate guests or family members without compromising on comfort.
If you’re considering full-timing or spending several months touring each year, the Chic E-Line deserves serious consideration. This is the sort of van you could easily live in; high praise indeed for its liveability and practical design!
Other Motorhomes Worth Considering
Frankia I-Series – Offers similar luxury appointments but with slightly different layout options and design philosophy.
Hymer B-Class SupremeLine – Another premium German manufacturer with comparable build quality and features.
Niesmann+Bischoff Arto – Provides a similar level of luxury with distinctive styling and excellent driving dynamics.
Bürstner Elegance – Offers luxury features at a somewhat lower price point, though with some compromises on build quality.
Final Thoughts
The Carthago Chic E-Line I 51 QB represents a significant investment, but delivers exceptional quality, thoughtful design and genuine luxury in return. You’re buying not just a vehicle but a lifestyle enabler that will serve you faithfully for many years of memorable adventures.
For couples with C1 licences who prioritise comfort, build quality and practical features for extended touring, this motorhome ticks all the boxes. The 2016 model reviewed here demonstrates how well these vehicles age, a testament to Carthago’s engineering excellence and attention to detail.
While the size and weight require consideration, particularly for storage and driving restrictions, the benefits far outweigh these practical limitations for the right owner. If you’re ready to embrace luxury motorhoming without compromise, the Chic E-Line deserves your serious consideration.
Do you have a motorhome to sell? Call us on 01283 240237 or simply enter your reg number here to sell your motorhome!
