Berths: 4
Travel seats: 4
Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Camper
Length: 5.98m
Weight: 3,500kg
Full review
The three-model Ixeo Time Sovereign range has been specifically upgraded for us Brits who tend to expect plenty of standard spec and a fixed price.
The spec includes cruise control, heated mirrors, LED daytime running lights and a high-end multimedia system. There's also an awning, full leather upholstery, a 145-litre slimline fridge and a large opening roof window.
At 7.49-metres, the 745 is the equal longest model to be built in Sovereign spec. But the bright decals help to break up the expanse of white aluminium on the body sides.
The drivers' cab comes with light beige leather seats that match the habitation upholstery.
As standard, the 745 has Fiat’s Euro V+ 2.3-litre 130bhp engine. This tends to have less low-down torque than the previous generation, and. If you’re planning to carry the full 335kg payload for any distance, the 148bhp engine option (£1,180) would be a good choice.
The lounge includes a dining table that makes for a sturdy eating place for five or six. Thanks to a small step down, the kitchen ceiling height extends to 2.07 metres. But space allocated to the galley is meagre. There’s just enough room for one person to stand, and the usable worktop amounts to just 50cm by 15cm. Storage, however, is good, with an overhead locker above the hob, large drawers and an enormous shelved storage cupboard below the sink.
The kitchen is small because the washroom is effectively a large en suite to the bed at the back whch spreads over the width of the motorhome.
A large oval basin and mirror face you as you enter. There’s a huge loo to the left and a shower to the right that looks as if it is going to be equally spacious until you discover that the rear wheelarch intrudes into the base.
This arrangement is clearly very fashionable - it is also being introduced by Chausson and Roller Team in 2015. But indulging a washroom fantasy like this robs the 745 of much space. It leaves just 2.5 metres between the washroom door and the front seats. If you depend on your own bathroom facilities, that should be fine.
The rear bedroom is particularly well done, with abundant storage. With a ceiling height of 1.71 metres it is cosy, but it doesn’t feel cramped thanks partly to three LED spotlights and a large roof window.
Both this fixed bed and drop down bed over the lounge are large and comfy, and the drop down bed doesn’t impede door access at night, unlike in many rivals.
The gas or mains electric Truma Combi 6 took about 20 minutes for the lounge to reach a comfortable temperature, but the rear bedroom was noticeably colder.
The 745 gets a huge external locker that runs across the whole width of the motorhome. But you'll need to be careful not to exceed the 335kg payload limit that comes with the standard 3,500kg gross vehicle weight. More payload capacity can be added by ticking the 4,000kg gross vehicle weight option (£1,190). This will be virtually essential for those regularly using this Bürstner four-up.
This is an abridged version of the full review appearing in the May issue of
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The full-width washroom and bathroom are the star features here, but they rob living space, particularly in the kitchen. Sovereign spec adds loads of kit, making the 745 look excellent value. It works well as a four-berth, too, with a chassis upgrade.