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It sleeps up to three, there’s travel seating for four. But, it’s the twin single beds, set conveniently low and with a full-width washroom beyond, that are the star layout attractions here.
Plus, Alde’s 3020 heating system heads up a formidable specification for this low-profile coachbuilt from France.
Built on Fiat’s wide-track rear axle Ducato chassis, and with all GRP-clad bodywork (sides, roof and underfloor), it has the fully sufficient 130bhp engine as standard.
But, those beds really are twin singles – measuring in at a generous enough1.98m x 0.76m each on super-comfortable Bultex mattresses, set at a height that means they’re easy to access. The same goes for their bases, where they’re easy to lift to get at a generous amount of storage. Pneumatic struts also make sure those bases stay up, even when they have the extra weight of bedding on them. Both these underbed areas also have handy external hatches.
The lounge single, at 2.08m x 1.00m, involves a bit of making up that means in most cases it will be consigned to occasional use only.
There’s also a quality, full-width washroom beyond those single beds. There’s sufficient space for a separate shower cubicle and an all-metal fixed basin, as well as a swivel-bowl toilet, beyond which is the main wardrobe.
No window is a bit of a disappointment, but there is a neat selection of shelving across the back wall, with shock coring to make sure items like shampoo bottles are kept in place – there’s also a sliding mirror-cum-vanity unit door.
Towards, the front of the 665, the kitchen might look small, but it has Dometic’s space-efficient hob with three-in-a-line gas rings. The separate sink is served by a proper metal tap. Thetford’s N3000 fridge/freezer, with automatic energy selection, boasts an impressive 149-litre capacity. Worktop space is tight, although there’s a decent amount of high- and low-level storage.
Likewise, the lounge is compact rather than spacious, yet there’s still plenty of space for just the two of you once you’ve swivelled those captain’s style cab seats. Note, also, UK models will get a hinged top to the pedestal-leg table, which makes manoeuvring all the easier.
The furniture finish here is called Elegance, but the darker Montalcino is also offered. There’s a choice of upholsteries, too, with some eight alternatives to the Honfleur with faux leather trim here. As well as Alde as standard, there’s an underfloor heating option, at £360.
Rapido also tries that bit harder to suit our particular preferences. UK spec’ models will also get a folding table rather than the solid unit shown here.
It’s always included a proper oven, in a decent location, among its UK offerings (there’s not one fitted in this left-hand drive demonstrator borrowed direct from the factory, but it will go under the hob, also with space to provide a cutlery drawer).
The oven/grill comes with a standard UK Pack, also giving us floor carpeting.
Meanwhile, there’s plenty of scope to personalise further, including various Fiat engine and transmission upgrades. This example has a whole host of options (see below) that take it up to a more realistic £53,384, but there are plenty more to choose from, although some are better value or more essential than others. Here, the spec’ is topped off by the bed covers and cushions, at an eye-watering £560 and frankly should only be considered if your Rapido dealer offers them as a compliment to seal the deal.
Verdict: A classy two-berth with plenty of qualities beyond its two single beds
Plus: Comfortable beds, generous washroom, UK-friendly specification, good storage, Alde heating
Minus: Just one interior mains socket as standard, kitchen roll holder location
In-a-nutshell: Quality, style, practicality, comfort
There’s more information on the Rapido ranges on the Rapido website. To find out more about our discounted premiums visit the motorhome insurance discounts page.
Alternatives: Hymer T-SL 668, Knaus Sky TI 700 MEB, Swift Bolero 714 SB
factfile
| Model | |
| Base vehicle | Fiat Ducato, 2.3-litre, 130bhp Euro V+ |
| Dimensions | 7.39m L, 2.35m W, 2.76m H |
| Maximum weight | 3500kg |
| Payload | 495kg |
| MPG estimate | 25-30 |
| RRP | from £51,000** |
| Safety & security | Electronic immobiliser, ABS and EBD, EBA (emergency brake assist), twin airbags, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, central locking kitchen drawers. |
| Key options | Rapido Pack – kitchen extractor, stereo upgrade, gas inverter, passenger airbag, cruise control, electric heated door mirrors, height-adjustable cab seats, cab air conditioning, cruise control (£249), habitation door window (£410), double-DIN stereo (£160), third battery including housing (£290), kitchen extractor fan (£160), heated waste water tank (£220), Camera Pack – reversing camera, habitation door flyscreen, cab blinds (£655), underfloor heating (£360), corner steadies (£100), daytime running lights (£320), external shower (£200), alloy wheels (£810). |
Why is this a left hand drive in UK McNee Bretagne
Hi Rosalie, the model reviewed was at their launch in Italy. If bought from a UK dealer it will likely have the right hand drive pack.
The folding lounge table is a thing of incredibly good design, we have (or rather, had) one in our Rapido 600. It is a brilliant piece of engineering, enabling you to walk past from lounge to cab easily. We have now traded the 600 for a 640 because of the bed, and unfortunately the 640 has a non-hinged table which although it slides and swivels ‘everywhere’, is not as good as the hinged version. And I am fascinated by the way that big, long motorhomes like this are about the same price as the small ones – similarly I can’t work out why a 6m panel van is the same price as this 7.39 coachbuilt. It’s not the strong pound to Euro rate because the European panel vans are just as expensive. You are very likely to get a hefty batch of the ‘optional extras’ thrown in free if you buy at one of the motorhome shows.
“No window is a bit of a disappointment,”.
Exactly why is that? Please tell me when you want to look out of a washroom window or want other people looking in, when you are in there using it. I get annoyed with reviewers saying things like this. ALL motorhome washrooms have roof lights and electric lighting. Why would you want a window? They cost money which is far far better spent on a cupboard. We have a different Rapido, and it has this wash room, it is fantastic. It has effectively two wardrobes, and is plenty big enough to use to get dressed in. The thing wrong with the washroom is the indefensible positioning of the light switch on the ceiling above the toilet. However that is easy to overcome. The lights wiring runs down the wall just next to the door. All you do is intercept the wiring, insert a switch and then you have a light switch where you would expect a light switch to be. Apart from the convenience to one and all of a light switch on the wall at elbow height, how can a child find the light switch at night it it is up on the ceiling? Even if they could find it, they can’t reach it.
“Key Options: Gas inverter”. Now that is a new invention, I haven’t heard of that one. You don’t explain what a gas inverter is, or how it works. Does it convert gas to electricity?
They put a kitchen roll holder in the galley area. Nice. But where do they put it? Directly over the gas hob. Luckily it comes with a smoke alarm, so that’s OK then. Or you can get your screwdriver out, and relocate the holder through 90 degrees so it is over the sink.
Thanks for your comments Andrew – we’ll take them on board.
Hi Andrew, apologies for the delayed response. An inverter is a system that allows the habitation heating system to be used when the vehicle is on the move. Hope this explains things better.
So many of the latest vans have these fixed tables in the lounge area. I don’t like them , hate feeling ‘hemmed’ in.
No , do not like the lay out at all , having to make a bed not my cup of tea . We have 2006 Bessacar 435 which has a static bed , full size cooker and a microwave. We are selling it is unfortunately we do not use it much due to work. Only done 12,000.00 miles .
Sounds good I particularly like the idea of spacious washroom and oven as we do not use microwave when touring the lack of one is not a problem.
Hi I prefer not to have to make up a bed on a night and I like a proper cooker.
Regards
Keith
To long for our Devon lanes, but lovely over seas.
Looked at a UK spec version of this van at Brownhills. It’s a matter of individual preference but my wife did not like the continental lounge. The fixed table, even though it folds in half, still imposes a constraint on the lounge floorspace. Only one 230 volt socket is mean, especially when UK sites throw in electricity for free, and the absence of a microwave is a pain for us. We never use an oven but always use the microwave, but others may be different. Quality looked OK, though you never know until after buying it.
It looks like somebody has used there loaf here my love looks very comfortable and well set out brilliant