Full review

Distinction is now a range of seven at the very top of the Rapido family tree, starting at 7.24m long and £79,400. But, if you want big, then the i1066 and i1090 are as big as anything ever to wear a Le Randonneur logo.

The ‘66’ indicates a twin bed layout, while the ‘90’ is identical from the bedroom forwards but features an island bed. Both models get a new rear exterior panel, XL gas locker door, chrome grille and a unique design of rear wheelarch moulding to mark them out from lesser Distinctions.

This is a no-compromise motorhome. You won’t see the £115k price tag spiral ever higher as you wade through pages of options, as you might with a Teutonic rival. You will, however, want the 177bhp engine, and, of course, there’s the usual choice of manual or Comfort-Matic. Included as standard are Alde heating (the Arctic Comfort Plus system which extends under the cab seats), the Executive Pack and Rapido’s ‘carbon-inspired’ Premium exterior.

Inside, Castello or Elegance furniture (seen here) are available at no extra cost. Montreal, Murano or Paris TEP leather-like fabrics are standard, with Austin or Riga hide (shown) optional. Whatever décor you choose, this is a very, very spacious motorhome with entirely different appeal to a Hymer or Carthago.

Its lounge is especially inviting, with plenty of space for seven and an electric hide-away TV (up to 32in) that appears from behind the offside sofa. That settee has a base that can be pulled forward for more reclined sitting and there are armrests at either end. Unusually, the Distinction also offers five travel seats. The cab bed drops down electrically. A shelf slots onto the division between the lounge and galley – ideal for serving up.

And this is no ordinary kitchen. Worktops are Corian style and the sink has drainer grooves cut into the surface and a hose-style tap – think designer domestic kitchen and you’ll be on the right track. There’s a gas and electric (induction) hob, too, and the de rigeur Nespresso machine powers into view on its own shelf. If you need anything in this ’van, just press a button… A Tec-Tower offers not just a big fridge/freezer but a high-level oven/grill, all the galley’s low-level storage is in drawers (with central locking via another switch) and a shoe rack and mini-wardrobe are conveniently by the XL living area door.

The bathroom is the pièce de résistance, complete with superb shower (backlit in blue!). A solid wooden sliding door closes off the area – with its very designer rectangular basin.

The boudoir itself has three more wardrobes and a TV bracket at the foot. The bed is a generous 1.98m by 1.58m and there are separate heating controls back here, as well as individually rising backrests for sitting up in bed. Those, too, are powered by electric motor.

The garage’s height can be adjusted with another switch and there’s plenty more storage in the double floor (which also houses the 300-litre fresh water tank). Nothing about this motorhome is small!

If you enjoyed this review, you can read loads more like it in What Motorhome magazine. You can get a digital version of this latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.