Giottiline reveals four all-new 2024 low-profiles

Introduction

The manufacturer, which has just appointed Brownhills in Newark as a main dealer to join the two existing Giottiline dealers, Wandahome and Yourstyle Leisure, expects the launch of these new models, as well as the appointment of Brownhills, to increase its appeal to UK buyers.

Three of the new coachbuilts are in the Toscan range, which replaces the Therry range as the brand’s flagship line-up. They are the Toscan 74NF, the Toscan 74GC and the Toscan 69GC. All three are built on the Citroën Relay as standard but there is an option to have them based on the Fiat Ducato and the Peugeot Boxer.

The 69GC is 6.99m long and features a twin rear single bed layout with the beds above a garage, which is large enough for cycles (1.19m high). It has four belted travel seats with an option for a fifth. The Toscan 74GC has a similar twin rear bed layout and also a garage capable of carrying bicycles but is built on a longer 7.42m chassis. Finally, the 74NF also sits on the longer 7.42m chassis and features an electrically adjustable rear island bed, which sits above a slightly shorter garage (1.16m reducing to 0.86m), but which is still capable of carrying a cycle. At the front are facing sofas (the other two Toscans have a forward-facing half-dinette and a side-facing single seat). All three have an electric drop-down double bed above the lounge, making all three four-berth models and all have a garage capacity of 300kg.

Befitting of the flagship range, the Toscan low-profiles have extras such as an opening overcab Skylight made of glass in three sections, which sits in an all-new one-piece fibreglass roof. They also get a new extra-wide (600mm) habitation door with blind, flyscreen and an electric window, plus central locking linked to the base vehicle, and the option for new white or grey thermoformed strips framing the exterior rear panel.

Other extras include a twin-lens rear camera, full LED rear lights, handleless cabinets and drawers, a new kitchen design, enhanced LED interior lighting, a new 167-litre flat-door fridge (model specific) and a choice of standard (lighter) colour tone or a darker Elegance finish to the interior.

Joining this trio is the all-new Ford Transit-based Siena 386, which is a 6.99m-long five-berth as standard and a six-berth as an option. This new Siena comes with rear transverse bunk beds (2.19m by 0.91m) and a large electric drop-down double over the lounge (1.92m by 1.49m reducing to 1.26m), plus one or (optionally) two more berths that can be created from the lounge, either the standard single (2.15m by 1.13m) or an optional double bed (2.15m by 1.60m).

It can also carry up to six people thanks to a rear half-dinette with two forward-facing travel seats and two rear-facing single travel seats, along with the two swivel cab captain’s chairs. The central kitchen comes with a three-burner gas hob and plenty of storage, although some of this will be taken by an oven which is likely to be specified for the UK market by the British dealers.

Giottiline has also introduced a new options pack – the Premier Edition – for the Ford-based Siena models. This combines two existing packs – the Siena and the Privilege packs – and adds extras such as an automatic gearbox, 16in black alloy wheels, a 170bhp engine, a Sony radio with 9in screen, pleated cab blinds, carpets, plus other extras, such as exclusive upholstery, all as standard.

In other changes to the Siena range, the 390, 395, 397 and 440 all now get the 167-litre Trivalent flat-door fridge. The arrival of these models sees Giottiline producing four ranges: Siena (eight low-profiles, four of which are on either a Citroën, Fiat or Peugeot and four on the Ford Transit, as well as two overcabs on the Citroën, Fiat or Peugeot).

Joining these is the GiottiCompact range of two low-profile models based on either the Citroën, Fiat or Peugeot, which remain unchanged for this season. Then there are four GiottiVan campervans, of which the UK will only get three as the new Ford-based 60FT campervan is not available in right-hand drive. So, the UK market gets the Citroën, Fiat or Peugeot-based 54T (5.41m, rear transverse double), 60T (5.99m, rear transverse double), and the 60B (5.99m, rear transverse bunks). Then at the top of the tree is the Toscan range of three all-new low-profiles.

Prices for the 2024 range have not yet been confirmed but look out for the November issue of MMM which will have details of all the new 2024 models coming to the UK market.

About Giottiline

Giottiline, which is part of the Rapido Group, has had a presence in the UK for several years but has not made a huge impact here – an issue it aims to resolve with the appointment of Brownhills in Newark. Brownhills is a huge dealership and will open this entry-level brand up to many more buyers.

What the Italian manufacturer has also just done is reveal its 2024 line-up, which includes four all-new low-profile models.

The arrival of these new models sees Giottiline producing four ranges, which ensures it has a broad appeal, from couples looking for two-berth campervans right up to families looking for six-berth overcabs. What it does not build is A-class models, which is in keeping with its entry-level status.

What will also be attractive to a wider number of buyers is the fact that Giottiline offers models on more than just the Fiat Ducato. It has built on the Ford Transit for two seasons and also offers models on the Peugeot Boxer and Citroën Relay.

Massimo Zevola, Sales Area Manager, Giottiline, hints that possibly more Ford-based models may be coming our way in 2025.

All models are built at its two factories near Siena in Italy, with all coachbuilts built at a facility that is only six years old and was constructed following the takeover by Rapido. The other factory, only a mile or so away, builds only GiottiVan campervans.

Neither factory is at capacity, not because of lack of demand but as a result of the chassis supply problem that has had such a massive impact on the entire industry.

Despite this, Giottiline is one of the few manufacturers who says it still has a short lead time between a customer ordering a model from a dealer and the model being delivered. While we have reported on delays of well over a year, Giottiline says its typical delivery time is just six months.

Massimo explains,

This shift to using more chassis suppliers, which is seen across the industry, is welcome news to those looking for more choice of base vehicles and its impact is seen in how sales volumes have changed.

Massimo says,

For the UK

British buyers – through Giottiline’s current trio of dealers – will have access to all the models built except the GiottiVan 60FT, a campervan built on a Ford chassis that is currently unavailable in right-hand drive.

This still leaves a comprehensive line-up of models built to attract the majority of British buyers.

Massimo explains, hinting at which models he sees most British buyers spending their money on in the coming months,

This also fits with what its current best sellers are: two campervans, the 60T (rear transverse double bed) and 60B (rear double bunk beds) and, in the low-profile sector, the Siena 330 (rear French bed). But, for next season, it is expected the new Ford low-profiles will be high demand.

Its number of British buyers are still small but this should change with the arrival of Brownhills and the fact that, as costs of new motorhomes continue to rise, more buyers will naturally consider value-for-money brands like Giottiline, while others who have traditionally looked at British entry-level models may have their attention caught by these Italian models.

Massimo says,

In addition, the investment in quality control, as well as new production facilities that Rapido has brought into Giottiline, will also bring other buyers into its dealers, the number of which are expected to grow.

Massimo says,

While there is no specific UK Pack as some manufacturers add to suit our tastes (ovens, carpets, improved heating, etc), Giottiline offers things like ovens as options and it is likely all the UK dealers will specify the models they order to have these fitted where the layout allows.

Growth and strength

What was undoubtedly a major turning point for Giottiline was its acquisition by the Rapido Group in 2016. Almost immediately the French group invested in the new factory, but it went much further.

Massimo says,

It appointed Giuseppe Pinto as the head of the company and, with him, came immense experience of automotive manufacturing.

Massimo explains,

Massimo says,

Despite the takeover, Giottiline is still independent, and, while it has the backing and support of its parent company, it decides what models to build, what dealers to appoint and how it approaches the various markets it sells into.

Massimo says,

Why Giottiline?

As mentioned, this little-known brand in the UK has its sights set high. It wants to take share not just from other imported brands but also from British manufacturers and it aims to do that with a simple tactic – offer the layouts people want at the quality and price level they are happy with.

Massimo says,