Full review

The key feature of this motorhome is the island bed, while the layout is entirely expected for a 7.3m continental low-profile.

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The 690 SC layout is available as both a Coral Supreme (with Alde heating) and – at the same price – this Platinum model. However, the Supreme goes without features such as the alloy wheels, reversing camera, spare wheel, roof rack and ladder and the all-silver bodywork (which is exclusive to the Platinum). Around £2,000 worth of extras is the figure quoted, but other converters sometimes charge as much – or more – just for a silver paint job. If you like the standard Coral, opting for its special edition silver sister is a bit of a no-brainer.

Among the very useful extra equipment and toys is a full-sized spare wheel, a radio with steering wheel-mounted controls and a reversing camera, while the only bit of bling internally is some silver dash trim. If you want more, the Essentials Pack adds cruise control and ESP, plus cab air-conditioning, front foglights and more. The cab is a very comfortable place to be and the vehicle is easy to drive, with light steering, an easy gearchange and good brakes. Its handling is very stable, but that’s paid for by rather stiff suspension. The Ducato motor provided relaxed progress with plenty of oomph and, if anything, it seemed a bit smoother and quieter than its Euro V ancestor.

The whole motorhome felt solid on the road and that bane of motorhomers’ ears, conversion rattles, were at a minimum. The rear camera proved its worth, too, although the monitor proved a little small.

The differences between the good and the bad so-called ‘euro lounges’ are in the details. Seating here easily provides for five, six at a pinch, if you include the rather narrow longitudinal section on the nearside. The rest of the seating is fine – the offside seat is comfy for one and the cab seats make great armchairs, thanks to their two armrests. The travel bench boasts the requisite pair of three-point belts and automotive-type, adjustable head restraints.

Berth number three is here and it’s similar to a lot of others. The table drops and part of the side seat base slides to meet it. Add lounge cushions and you get a single that’s quite narrow at the foot and not overly flat thanks to the sculpted seating. Think occasional use, probably for a holiday with a ‘little darling’. Last, but not least, the table is generous enough for a quartet of drinkers, diners or game players and its top is fully adjustable, too.

As much as that narrow lounge side bench is a pet peeve, so drawer storage in kitchens is a pet favourite. There’ll be no grovelling and peering into the dark recesses of cupboards here, as wide-opening drawers are a sight for my sore old eyes. Up top, the expected brace of lockers is furnished with shelves and, below, a swish, backlit splashback adds style.

The hob offers three burners and, crucially, they’re set in-line so it’s easy to get at all the pans; none is trapped behind another, which is usually the case with triangular designs. This arrangement also allows for a useful slice of worktop in front of the hob. Below, Thetford’s Duplex oven/grill is well placed for easy, safe access. The fridge is a 147-litre Thetford SES.

The bedroom is enclosed by a sliding door, the toilet/washroom has its own (tambour) door and the separate shower features a combination of sliding and hinged screens, curved and flat respectively. With no second door to the bed area, the shower is always in the bedroom and anyone sleeping up front will need to come into this area to use the facilities. This is less of a potential problem with only two living on board.

This toilet/washroom offers a nicely designed set of practical features. There’s a window, so ventilation is fab and the mirrored upper cupboard door slides so you can use the mirror and access your toiletries at the same time. Below, the basin is set into a reasonable countertop and another cupboard gives more storage. The Thetford loo sits on a plinth, but shouldn’t be too high for the short of leg to sit in comfort. Across the way, the shower is big enough, and has shelves, a ceiling-mounted drying rail and illuminating, steam-clearing rooflight.

With island beds, dimensions are important. This one is a good length and a tad wider than a domestic double, while the base pushes back – the head rising – for easier passage around the bedroom, along with access to the shower. The bed base is home to a deep drawer and useful cupboard, while his ’n’ hers wardrobes flank the beds with flat surfaces in front for night-time kit. Unusually, the offside wardrobe is shorter, with the flat surface set higher than its opposite number. This is because the offside external locker door is taller than the nearside one, so more vertical space is needed.

Finally, the payload (at 3,500kg max weight) is adequate, but not generous. If your licence allows, an upgrade can be had free of charge.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read the full version and more in the June 2017 issue of MMM magazine.

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