2023 Swift Ascari 372 motorhome

Just the kind of coachbuilt motorhome that will make you wonder if it’s worth trading across from a van conversion… meet the Ascari a compact newcomer for 2023 from Swift. The 372 here is a two-berth motorhome for sleeping, but with four travel seats, while its shorter sister the 344 offers full accommodation for four.

A slimmer winner

These Ascari’s are also slimline in terms of their overall body width, at 2.26m with the mirrors tucked in. Hence, the suggestion there will be appeal to those who were leaning towards a van conversion. Quite simply, your living space is optimised in a coachbuilt, and overall insulation levels are better. Pricing tends to be more competitive, too.

Despite its mid-market positioning, there’s an upmarket look to the Swift Ascari. Features such as the alloy wheels, coloured cab, habitation door with window and some very contemporary graphics all help. The main bodywork is GRP-faced and, as ever from Swift, backed by a 10-year warranty.

In this walkthrough video, we take a look around the all-new Swift Ascari 372 motorhome:

Under the bonnet, Fiat’s 2.2-litre 140bhp engine should provide sufficient performance and economy, with Swift also offering the option of automatic transmission.

The Swift Ascari 372 floorplan sees a forward-facing rear travel seat behind the driver which, with the cab seats on swivels, helps towards a comparatively decent sized front lounge which gets plenty of daylight thanks to the opening sunroof over the cab area as well as the lighter colours used for the furniture and soft furnishings.

That travel seat has fixed head restraints and a rather upright backrest, while a neat touch is the armrest with an integrated double USB portal.

Arguably, though, the main seating area is at the back (although admittedly it might be tempting to leave the rear as a ready-made bed on some occasions). In daytime mode, it’s actually a U-shaped lounge here, with a pedestal leg table and neatly padded panelling around the windows that are themselves generous in size and, as you’d expect, all opening (all top-hinged) and all with concertina blinds and flyscreens.

The appearance of lockers on the back wall of the Swift Ascari 372 motorhome is actually a trompe l’oeil – it’s just some panelling. But, it does help alleviate any feeling of being hemmed in by the presence of too many upper-level cupboards.

And you’re hardly likely to be struggling for overall storage anyway. There’s also a decent sized wardrobe and the rear wall has pre-fixings for a Thule bike rack.

The bed configurations are two singles 1.96m and 1.83m nearside and offside respectively. Or you can make a transverse double 1.92m x 1.83m. Plus you still have the forward lounge if one of you prefers to sit up late/get up early.

Mid-‘van, the kitchen is nearside, washroom offside. The former’s hob features three gas rings in a line – a first for any Swift motorhome – as opposed to the usual sink arrangement. But, their centralised location doesn’t make the most of the extra worktop they offer either in front of or behind the whole hob.

There’s also a combined grill and oven – a Dometic (previously Smev) unit that’s usually more at home in a campervan than a coachbuilt. It’s set low under the sink, with an 80-litre fridge to its right. There’s also a useful worktop extension to the left of the sink, plus a microwave oven (one of the latest flat bed models, which doesn’t rely on a rotating glass plate) housed above.

Across the corridor, the Ascari’s washroom benefits from a series of space-saving fittings – from its tambour door to Thetford swivel-bowl toilet to the neatest of foldaway washbasins. The latter isn’t particularly deep, but will surely prove more than adequate for general handwashing duties. The mixer tap is rather large in comparison.

There’s also a separate shower, while plastic mouldings should make sure waterproof levels are maintained. The duckboarding, hanging rail and rooflight are also helpful fittings.

Indeed, all are indicative of a well thought through motorhome interior that not only looks good, it’s all very practical.

To find out more about insuring a Swift Ascari or your current motorhome visit our motorhome insurance discounts page.

Verdict: Ascari bridges the van conversion/coachbuilt gap

Plus: Smartly styled, narrow body width, rear lounge layout for lots of daytime living space

Minus: Small washroom

In-a-nutshell: A slimline tonic

Alternatives: Adria Compact, Elddis Accordo 135