Full review

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Roller Team T-Line 700

Once a resolutely entry-level brand, the Italian manufacturer, Roller Team, these days even steps into the realms of A-class motorhomes. Here, though, it’s the plushest low-profile line-up that’s caught our attention as there’s a new layout this season, the 700.

As these motorhomes from Tuscany are imported by Auto-Trail (both members of the Trigano Group), it’s no surprise to find a floorplan here that would look right at home in a British maker’s brochure – it’s even UK handed, so the habitation door is on our nearside. And with lounges front and rear, the layout is a popular classic.     

What’s included

Before we get to that in detail, note that it’s a familiar Fiat cab, albeit with grey metallic paint (matching the side skirts) and alloy wheels. It’s the 140bhp motor under the bonnet but, if you want to upgrade to an automatic, that’s a hefty £3,840 extra. Not that the rest of the cab spec is found wanting – included is a Zenec head unit with sat-nav and reversing camera, as well as the air-con and cruise control that you’d expect.    

The exterior

On the outside, the comprehensive kit list includes a bike rack and solar panel, while you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see framed windows for the habitation area. There’s a panoramic overcab sunroof and on-board WiFi, too. A big plus over some rear lounge layouts is the external storage, with loading doors on either side and an internal height of at least 510mm – a good practical space for your outdoor furniture. The payload of 338kg will be marginal for a family, though, so the 3,650kg chassis upgrade might be essential.  

The interior

Step aboard and the location of the seats, etc, will feel very British, but there’s definitely a more continental feel to the décor, with a bright, modern design and soft-touch ceiling. Removable carpets have been added to please UK buyers.

Up front, the cab seats twist around to face an L-shaped settee and single side seat (with windowless wall behind that might be inconvenient for driver visibility at some junctions). The table – complete with marble-style top – is a permanent resident here, but it’s easily moved around using a single handle to operate it.

More crucial to the success of a design like this is the second seating space, at the back. Here, it’s the expected U-shape with triple-aspect glazing, but no rooflight above (the reason for which will shortly be revealed!). With the free-standing table stowed away in the wardrobe, this is a very appealing area in which to relax, even if the seats are just a tad high when you have toes on the floor. Reading lights on stalks (with USBs built in), Roman blinds and rear speakers are included.   

The beds

Where the T-Line immediately scores over its UK-built rivals, however, is at bed time as there’s no faffing around moving seat cushions, lowering tables, etc. All you have to do is press a button – well, a couple of buttons…

The front bed narrows towards the offside and comes down across the habitation door, so, if there are only two of you on tour, you’ll migrate towards the bed at the back. This is just as simple to deploy and measures a rectangular 1.93m by 1.31m. The only omission here is a rooflight directly over the bed for ventilation.      

The kitchen

In between the two lounges, on the nearside, the kitchen might not have the full slot-in cooker or microwave of some UK models but it comes with a Duplex oven/grill and a hob with three burners in a row. Worktop is a little lacking but the fridge has a generous 141-litre capacity, including its separate bottle drawer below.           

The washroom

Completing the layout is a washroom with a swing-wall to create a curtain-free shower. The basin is big, there’s an opening window to let out the steam and a duckboard is featured, too.