Rolling Homes Darwin FL 6.0 Campervan

Evolution results in a smaller model in the range and it's the best yet

Appropriately, considering the name, the Darwin has evolved. It arrived as a 6.8-metre campervan with an unusual ‘ML’ mid lounge model. The more conventional ‘EL’ followed with an ever-popular end lounge, then the ‘FL’ completed the trio with its side sofa facing the sliding door.

All Darwins up until this point were long-wheelbase models, but the long Crafter really is rather l-o-n-g and probably a bit too lacking manoeuvrability for those seeking the easy driving nature of a campervan. So, now there’s a six-metre Darwin FL – and it’s the best version yet.

Under six metres

The Darwin FL 6.0 still seems like a super-spacious two-berth, despite the loss of 850mm of overall length. It has a long settee – 1.73m long – opposite the entrance and there’s plenty of floor space, which dog owners (especially) will appreciate.

With a full-height walk-through into the cab, that adds to the open feel, while the raked backrest on the settee makes it a very comfy place to relax – even better if you can have the door open for fresh air and great views.

The cab seats swivel to increase lounging space, or you can dine here on the island leg coffee table. For more serious meals there’s a free-standing table to be used in conjunction with the sofa. 

At night, of course, your lounge becomes your bedroom. The settee pulls out and folds flat, the cab seats are turned sideways and infill cushions extend the bed’s length.

Gas-free kitchen

To the rear of the entrance, the kitchen’s curved counter – with resin worktop and splashback – is another aspect that gives the impression of space. But the generous amount of preparation space is no illusion. 

You can have your Darwin with a two-burner gas hob (plus one induction ring), although the show vehicle was the gas-free version – a £600 option that adds a 3kW inverter, upgraded battery charger and two-ring induction cooker. A 300Ah lithium battery is standard, while a 320W solar panel is a £1,395 option. Up above the galley is a built-in microwave, as well as additional storage.

The lightweight board cabinetwork seen here (it’s called White Oak Wash) is just one option; you can also have Rolling Homes’ trademark real oak furniture – we would! Diesel heating (Truma Combi) is standard, along with sheep’s wool insulation and part-leather upholstery. 

Built and spec'd to order

Prices start at £84,995, based on a Commerce-spec van with 140hp engine and manual gearbox. Going up to a Commerce Plus with 177hp and automatic transmission (as shown) takes that up to £91,095.

But then this example had 18in off-road wheels, a heated windscreen, Light and Vision Pack, LED headlights, sat-nav, Advanced Assistance Package, Extended Assistance Package, heated seats, an ergoActive driver’s seat, cornering lights and heated washer nozzles, resulting in a total of £105,750.

Back inside the Darwin FL, there’s full-height furniture facing the galley. Here, you’ll find a full-height wardrobe, incorporating shelved sections top and bottom, while alongside is a waist-height 84-litre compressor fridge with a cupboard below. 

Excellent bathroom and rear corner storage

Then, between the fridge and the cooker, there’s a door into the washroom, which can also be accessed from outside, via the campervan’s barn doors. The superior Dometic toilet here has a ceramic bowl and the fixed basin is also ceramic.

There’s plenty of space to use all of the facilities but you will need to employ the curtain when showering – pity. That’s one of the few downsides of the model. Water tanks are quite modest, too – 60 litres for fresh, 50 litres grey waste.

With no fixed bed, you might also be wondering about storage for your outdoor gear – chairs, levelling wedges, etc. Worry not, because in the rear nearside corner is a full-height locker (with the boiler in its base).

You access this space through the back doors.
Completing this premium campervan, it’s good to know that Rolling Homes is a VW Motorhome Qualified Converter and the Darwin is type approved as a motor caravan and comes with a three-year warranty.

Rolling Homes’ move from pop-top Transporters into larger Crafter conversions has now resulted in a whole range of Darwin models – this is the best version yet.