Full review

THE reason that we were so excited by this latest Rapido is not hard to fathom.

Take the experience of one of Europe’s premier builders of upmarket A-class motorhomes, replace the usual fixed bed or garage layout with a rear lounge, and you have a vehicle that promises to combine the best of British and continental motorhome design.

Better still, this is no cobbled together adaptation of an existing model, but a brand-new design destined for sales across Europe. German, French and Scandinavian dealers are ordering it, alongside more familiar French floorplans.

Its wraparound rear lounge is U-shaped, with a table that slots away out of sight, and with large opening windows on three sides. The amidships kitchen holds no surprises, while the sharply angled wardrobe/bathroom wall opposite works wonders in opening up the interior with a real feeling of space.

The really clever part is, however, up front. Here, two inward-facing single seats can also face forward for travel. So not only does the 9010dF have a second lounging/dining area, it also has four travel seats, where so many rear lounge rivals fall down by offering no possibility of ever carrying passengers.

And just as importantly, given that this is an A-class, there’s a drop-down bed in the cab, so the Rapido can sleep four too. Or a couple can enjoy an instant bed with no cushion shuffling. Or they can each have their own bedroom. And all this has been fitted into a vehicle that’s just 6.49m long.

The stylish Hartal door – complete with fixed window and two-point locking – opens to reveal two internal steps. It’s an easy climb on board to a flat floor running right through from the cab to the rear lounge, where there’s a 100mm (4in) step up.

And it’s the rear lounge that you’ll inspect first because this is where the 9010dF’s success or failure is guaranteed. And fortunately for Rapido, they’ve got it spot on.

This is perhaps not so surprising when you consider that Rapido have been in the world of rear lounges before – with the UK-only 7068F low-profile on the old Fiat cab; and back in 1983 with their very first motorhome, the Renault Randonneur 410.

The 9010dF picks up where the short-lived 7068F left off, with big windows (which sport highly desirable and ultra-convenient, but rarely seen single-handle locking) on three sides a given, together with the wind-up Heki sunroof above.

And yet, it’s the details that count – the corner shelves for the latest Ian Rankin and the cup of coffee to go with it; the radio speaker; the swivel reading lights; and the heater control positioned so you can adjust the temperature without having to get up. Then there’s the way the seating wraps around in front of the wardrobe, allowing extra feet-up space or perhaps a perch for the cook. And, of course, there’s a slide-out bracket for a flatscreen TV in a cupboard over the end of the kitchen.

So, while this isn’t the world’s biggest rear lounge, we don’t think you’ll find a more comfortable one... anywhere!

Maybe you’ll prefer the more upright seating up front – after all, the table here is fractionally larger and it can slide in both directions – and twist, too. If you’re only having a snack it also folds in half.

As is often the way with rear lounge layouts, the Rapido’s kitchen is squeezed between the habitation door and the U-shaped seating and is, therefore, necessarily quite compact. And yet, while the space may not be huge, what there is has been utilised well and planned sensibly.

The washroom boasts enough cupboard space for even the most hygiene-obsessed motorcaravanners to store all their toiletries. It also has a separate shower with semi-circular revolving door, a swivel cassette toilet, an opening window, a roof vent and a deep washbasin.

When you’re ready for a bit of shut-eye, the drop-down cab bed is as easy to deploy as you’d expect from a past master of the A-class genre.

The 9010dF appeals to traditionalists as much as trendy technophiles, brings some clever detailing to the age-old rear lounge design and is just so comfortable to live in. It really is one of the must-see new models of 2009.

A full version of this review first appeared in the October 2008 issue of Which Motorcaravan. To order a road test reprint ring 01778 391187. To subscribe to the magazine, click here.