Swift enters a whole new motorhome league with the compact Rio and we've got pictures and a video to get a sneak preview before it hits the showrooms
 

To watch the video of the new Swift Rio click here

The Rio is compact – 6.40m long (just a bit longer than an XLWB Fiat panel van) and slim (2.26m) – and, of course, it’s only 3,500kg. It’s got Swift’s new SMART construction and it even has a great big top-hinged tailgate at the back.

There are two layouts 320 and 340, both of which are featured in the video.

The former is a pure two-berth while the 340 can sleep four. It has shorter (1.28m) settees at the back but a longer kitchen. Thanks to a half-dinette behind the cab, the 340 comes with four seatbelts.

 
At night, 340 owners benefit from a drop-down bed with a Duvalay mattress and turn-key electric operation. Bring the bed right down until it touches the sofas if you’ve left the kids at home or make up the transverse bed from the settees and use the drop-down bed in one of its higher positions if you need to use both beds.

What Swift haven’t omitted is an electric step to aid access through the rear hatch.

The Rio is a well thought-out alternative to LWB van conversions, benefiting from the extra space afforded by a coachbuilt’s flat sides without becoming too bulky.

Of course, much of the concept is similar to the Bürstner Brevio but the more Anglicised design – better lounge, full cooker, door on the UK side, two-berth option – arguably makes the Swift a motorhome of wider appeal.

At £44,400 to £45,400 (with the 130bhp engine) it’s priced usefully below the equivalent German too.
 

Visit the Swift Manufacturer Page Find Swift Motorhomes for Sale, Reviews plus find your local Swift dealer. Click here

Read our exclusive Live-in Test of the new Swift Rio 320 in the November issue of MMM.