Full review

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Frankia F-Line I 680 SG

We tend to think of Frankia as a builder of super-sized motorhomes, often on a Mercedes chassis and frequently with a rear lounge. Here, though, it’s a relatively modest 7m Fiat-based model with a front seating area.

It may be smaller but it’s still a fully fledged Frankia, with a generous garage – spot the ‘G’ in the model name – featuring 1.23m headroom and the company’s trademark top-hinged rear door (as well as hatches on either side and a door to the interior).

There’s payload of well over a tonne, too, so you can make full use of this space – as well as the 35cm-high double floor which benefits from the same practical non-slip flooring. The 150-litre fresh and 130-litre waste water tanks are in the double floor, too, and the spec even extends to a home for a spare toilet cassette (so useful when you’re camping away from site facilities).

Another typical Frankia feature is the built-in hose for easier fresh water filling (found in a side locker, where you’ll also see the large-bore grey water drain hose). Frankia’s fit and finish also impresses, with the side walls including metal rods to which furniture is affixed, enhancing rigidity.             

The layout

Inside, the I 680 SG has plenty of space and an air of restrained opulence. There’s a flat floor throughout the living area (with removable carpets as part of the £2,945 UK Pack) and a large underfloor well for your shoes as you enter. The lounge has side settees (which convert into travel seats) and a fixed table, but the sofas don’t have to become beds (a lounge bed is an option).

Instead, you press a button and the cab bed lowers into position. Tick the Duo Bed option (£1,235) and you can also manually extend the bed so that you can sleep lengthways, simply slotting in two extra cushions to complete the vast mattress – measuring 2.00m by 1.94m and with none of the access issues (climbing over your partner) that come with the usual transverse drop-down bed. There’s plenty of headroom, a roof vent and reading lights, too.          

The kitchen

Just as rare a feature as this extending drop-down bed is an A-class with a full domestic-style cooker (three gas rings, mains hotplate, separate oven and grill), but that’s another feature of the UK Pack. And the pack also includes removable carpets, external shower and barbecue points, a 120W solar panel, gas/electric heating and even a microwave.

Naturally, you also get desirable European-style touches like a 160-litre automatic energy selection fridge/freezer and lots of large soft-close drawers, as well as Frankia features such as high-quality hinges mounted onto steel frames for the top lockers and a metal tap with extension hose. The best aspect of this galley, though, is its superb storage.                

The washroom

Beyond the kitchen, there’s a spacious separate shower (with real glass doors) on the offside and a toilet room opposite. A partition hinges around to combine the two in one generous washing and changing room, but with the rear of the motorhome in open plan mode you benefit from extra daylight via the central rear window.         

Storage

On either side of that window is a LOT of clothing storage. Next to the shower is a pull-out wardrobe, as well as another slide-out unit for folded clothes. In the nearside rear corner is a large shelved cupboard. You certainly won’t have to pack light when you go touring in this motorhome, even if you’re heading off for months at a time.

You can see a full review, with a video, of a 2019 model here.