Boasting a sleek, modern look inside and out, this new Type B motorhome comes equipped to travel and camp off the beaten path.
By Mark Quasius, F333630
March 2022
Entegra Coach, known for its high-end diesel pushers, has released a new model targeted at an entirely different type of RV owner. The Entegra Launch is a four-wheel-drive Type B motorhome built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van platform. This compact model can take you to many off-the-grid locations but also perform as a daily driver. It should appeal to the growing segment of RV buyers who want to explore remote areas but don’t want to give up certain creature comforts. The Launch will be equally at home in Utah’s red rock canyons, Colorado’s mountains, your favorite ski resort, and your local grocery store parking lot.
Exterior
The review model featured the Aztec partial-paint scheme, a sporty look that starts with a silver background and adds matte black and bold orange accents. For a more conservative look, the Launch also is available in the traditional Mercedes-Benz silver with no accent striping. A third option is Forest Glade décor, with a sandstone base enhanced by green and earth-tone accents.
Satin-black steel running boards with LED lighting function as rock rails, protecting the vehicle’s rocker panels from objects that get kicked up during travel. They also make a nice step. The running boards have a mesh design, which helps keep them clean and turns them into a location for securing mountain bikes or other cargo when you are away from the RV, or at night.
The steel roof rack can carry kayaks and other cargo; it is mounted high enough to clear the solar panels, vents, and other items on the roof. Front and rear wind deflectors shield the cargo and also help to keep the back of the vehicle clean when traveling. A large LED bar on the front of the rack lights up the night as needed. The roof ladder mounted to the back of the RV can be removed and hung on either side of the vehicle to assist in loading and securing cargo.
Chassis
The 19-foot-7-inch-long Mercedes-Benz 4×4 Sprinter 2500 van has a 144-inch wheelbase and is equipped with a 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel engine rated at 188 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission delivers the power from the peppy engine to the wheels. Entegra further beefs up this chassis with its E-Z Drive suspension, which features Koni shock absorbers and a heavy-duty rear stabilizer bar.
The Launch has a 9,050-pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), a 13,930-pound gross combination weight rating (GCWR), and a 5,000-pound-rated hitch receiver for towing or mounting accessories such as a bicycle rack. A 24.5-gallon diesel fuel tank and a 5.8-gallon DEF tank supply the vehicle with fuel. An on-board air compressor serves quick-disconnect air chucks at the front and rear of the vehicle, which makes it easy to add air to tires or rafts.
With an 8-inch ground clearance, the Launch is suitable for off-road excursions. The unit is equipped with aggressive BFGoodrich T/A K02 tires; they are mounted on aluminum wheels that sport an attractive satin-black anodized finish.
Interior
The Launch comes in one floor plan, the 19Y. Its functional interior blends space for traveling, living, cooking, dining, and sleeping, plus bathroom facilities and storage, all in a compact 19-foot layout.
The ceiling, covered with soft-touch vinyl, is punctuated by LED lighting. Rubber nonslip flooring offers durability and easy cleanup should mud or other outdoor elements be tracked in.
The cockpit accommodates two for long, comfortable drives. The heated pilot and copilot seats can swivel to face the rear of the coach when parked. Controls for power door locks, heated power mirrors, and power windows are easy to access. The Launch comes with a complete suite of Mercedes-Benz safety equipment, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot assist, adaptive braking, and parking assist.
A row of seats behind the cockpit includes a chair that slides into the aisle and tilts back for reclining.
The center console area sports a 10.25-inch MBUX infotainment center. This wide screen handles radio and Bluetooth inputs as well as a dedicated GPS navigation system. The screen also becomes a monitor for the rearview and 360-degree cameras. If selected, a split screen displays what is behind you when backing up while providing a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle — a huge asset when maneuvering into a tight spot among the trees, for instance. A smartphone tray with wireless charging is built into the center console. For privacy, a shade can be deployed at night to separate this area from the rest of the RV.
Immediately behind the cockpit chairs, a second row of seating accommodates two additional passengers. These seats recline and offer just enough legroom for inserting a removable table, which folds open to create a surface for dining, working on a laptop, etc. One chair can be slid out into the aisle when traveling to allow maximum reclining.
Custom-molded, vinyl-covered ABS wall panels create an attractive look, should be easy to clean, and also will help to keep the interior quiet. Large flush-mounted windows adorn each side of the coach; the front sections slide open for ventilation and can be operated by the second-row occupants. The windows are fitted with cassette shades for privacy. The rear dual-pane acrylic windows also feature cassette shades.
A Firefly multiplex wiring system incorporates a touch-screen panel for controlling and monitoring various systems in the RV. A MaxxAir deluxe power roof vent facilitates airflow, especially when cooking.
The Firefly control panel.
Speaking of food prep, the Launch’s galley is surprisingly well equipped. Tecnoform cabinets, made of lighter-weight materials, exude a high-end European look. The galley counter is fitted with a stainless-steel sink and is accompanied by cabinets and drawers below. When additional workspace is needed, a Tecnoform shelf powered by a sturdy mechanism slides out from the galley into the area near the motorhome’s side door. The shelf rises to the same level as the countertop and locks solidly into place. The galley also has 120-volt-AC receptacles and USB charging ports.
A portable induction cooktop stores in a cabinet and can be pulled out for use on the galley counter or its extension shelf; it also can be taken outdoors. A 3-cubic-foot 12-volt refrigerator is positioned in the side of the coach so it is accessible from inside or outside the vehicle.
You’ll likely want to park the Launch in scenic, out-of-the-way locations to spend time outdoors, communing with nature. Opening the side door exposes the galley to the outside. A hinged table mounted to the backside of the galley wall can be unlatched to fold down for outside dining. Its stainless-steel cable support has an adjustable catch that allows you to vary the amount of drop and ensure that the table remains horizontal — even in locations where the motorhome is not on level terrain.
The Launch’s wet bath comes with removable bamboo shelves).
A Carefree power awning with LED lighting and a wind sensor is mounted over the patio area. A Boss dual-zone entertainment system provides plenty of sound outside and inside the vehicle. A screen door panel with magnetic and zipper enclosures can unfurl and drop down to protect the interior from unwanted flying visitors.
Back inside, the wet bath makes the most of the compact space allocated for it by combining the shower, toilet, and storage space. The 31-inch-by-26-inch fiberglass shower is equipped with an Aqua View Showermiser unit, which recirculates cold water back to the fresh-water tank until heated water reaches the shower faucet.
A cassette toilet shares space in the shower stall. When the 5-gallon cassette is full, it can be removed via a lockable compartment in the exterior wall of the motorhome and carried away to be emptied.
A retractable clothesline makes the wet bath a convenient spot to hang damp clothing or swimwear. When the area is not in use, bamboo shelving can be put in place to store cargo, wet or dry. A power vent fan removes moisture and odors from this room.
When the power bed is lowered in the rear cargo area, storage space remains below.
Perhaps the real secret to the livability of this coach is the rear cargo area, which doubles as a bedroom. Mountain bikes and other bulky items fit in this area, which comes with standard L-track mounting locations. A 49-inch-by-79-inch power bed, with a 750-pound capacity, can be raised to the ceiling during the day. On the underside of the bed, two vinyl storage pouches with turn locks can be partially detached so they hang down for ready access if desired.
When it’s bedtime, the power mechanism lowers the bed to a comfortable level. Fiberglass side pods expand the sleeping area. Even when the bed is lowered, a couple feet of cargo space remains beneath it. (Note that large items will need to be removed from this area and cable-locked to the steel running boards mentioned earlier.)
At the rear of the RV, in the utilities control panel, a quick-disconnect faucet facilitates washing off muddy gear before stowing it in the garage area. A roll-up screen door can be deployed to provide privacy and/or airflow when the vehicle’s rear steel doors are left in the open position.
With the bed raised back up to the ceiling, vinyl pouches drop down for easy retrieval of items.
Utilities
The Launch is built to be as self-sufficient as possible, with ample electrical power for dry camping in remote locations. Its removable 30-amp power cord can be plugged into a 30-amp campground receptacle (or a 15- or 20-amp standard receptacle utilizing a 30-to-15 adapter); this cord also can be plugged into a portable generator if desired. In addition, 200 watts of solar is mounted on the roof; additional portable solar panels can be connected via the motorhome’s external plug, further improving the battery charge rate.
But the real secret to the Launch’s extended runtime is its 48-volt battery pack. The 210-amp-hour lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePo) battery pack provides 10.2 kilowatt hours of power, compared to the 3-kw house 12-volt systems found in similar vehicles. This gives the Launch more power to run more things for a much longer time. A 48-volt-to-12-volt reducer operates standard 12-volt items, while larger items are run off the 48-volt side for increased efficiency. A 3,500-watt inverter creates 120-volt-AC power to run standard high-voltage items, such as the portable induction cooktop.
One benefit of the extended runtime and increased power of the 48-volt system is that the Launch can operate its 48-volt Coleman Mach 10 rooftop air conditioner via battery power — quiet cooling without a generator or shore power.
Heat and domestic hot water come from a hydronic heating system powered by diesel fuel. The gray water tank is heated via a 12-volt pad; the fresh-water tank is mounted inside the RV. A winterizing system also is included.
Final Impressions
The Launch drove like a regular passenger van and shouldn’t intimidate most drivers. It went, stopped, and turned with precision. The four-wheel drive and the BFGoodrich T/A K02 tires gave excellent traction. The coach was quiet, with no noticeable wind noise from the roof rack when driving at highway speeds.
The 48-volt high-capacity battery system really takes this motorhome to the next level, even allowing air-conditioner use when no AC power is available. Every feature is designed to conserve power and fresh water and maximize the length of your off-the-grid stay. The 200 watts of rooftop solar power (four 50-watt panels) helps extend that runtime, and, if you need or want more, you can always carry a pair of portable solar panels that can plug into the RV’s external jack.
The Launch should serve as a great base camp for hikers, fishers, hunters, or anyone who wants to get away from it all. Its rubber floor and louvered side steps make for easy cleanup in such locations.
Entegra didn’t build the Launch 4×4 for the typical motorhome owner. But for those who want to venture off the beaten path, it should fit the bill.
SPECIFICATIONS | ENTEGRA LAUNCH
MANUFACTURER
Entegra Coach, 903 S. Main St., P.O. Box 460, Middlebury, IN 46540; (800) 283-8267; www.entegracoach.com
MODEL
Launch
FLOOR PLAN
19Y
CHASSIS
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4 2500 Series van
ENGINE
Mercedes-Benz 3.0-liter V-6 Blue Tec diesel; 188 horsepower at 3,800 rpm; 325 pound-feet torque at 1,400 rpm
TRANSMISSION
Mercedes-Benz 7-speed automatic
AXLE RATIO
3.92 to 1
TIRES
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 LT245/75R16
WHEELBASE
144 inches
BRAKES
antilock disc
SUSPENSION
standard Mercedes-Benz upgraded with Entegra E-Z Drive package
STEERING
power
ALTERNATOR
220 amps; second 48-volt alternator dedicated to lithium battery
BATTERIES
chassis — (1) 12-volt
house — lithium iron phosphate battery system; 48-volt, 210 amp-hour, 10,000-watts
ELECTRICAL SERVICE
30 amps
INVERTER
3,500 watts
SOLAR
(4) 50-watt panels; additional panels, purchased elsewhere, can be added
EXTERIOR LENGTH
19 feet 7 inches
EXTERIOR WIDTH
85 inches
EXTERIOR HEIGHT
10 feet 1 inch (with A/C and satellite)
INTERIOR HEIGHT
6 feet 1 inch
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
9,050 pounds
GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR)
front — 4,410 pounds;
rear — 5,360 pounds
GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING (GCWR)
13,930 pounds
FRESH WATER CAPACITY
22 gallons
HOLDING TANK CAPACITIES
gray water — 20 gallons
black water — 5 gallons (removable cassette)
FUEL CAPACITY
24.5 gallons; 5.8 gallons DEF
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
diesel
WATER HEATER
Espar hydronic heating
HEATING SYSTEM
Espar hydronic heating
AIR CONDITIONING
(1) 48-volt Coleman Mach 10 rooftop unit
REFRIGERATOR
3-cubic-foot, 12-volt-DC, compressor-driven
TOILET
cassette (5 gallons)
WARRANTY
coach — 2 years/24,000 miles, limited;
chassis — 3 years/36,000 miles, transmission; 5 years/100,000 miles, engine
BASE SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
$217,000
PRICE AS REVIEWED
$222,000