Full review

What are the themes for 2014 in motorhomes? How about downsizing, drop-down beds, and – something that will never go out of fashion – the onward drive for even better value for money? Well stop right here, because this is a motorhome that fits all of those bills.

The T-Line 590 is a full four-berth, thanks to its electric drop-down bed over a lounge that incorporates a forward-facing travel seat for two that can also be left as an L-shaped settee, plus an inward-facing settee along the offside. Both cab seats swivel to join in the lounge action, with everything set around a permanent pedestal leg table that comes with plenty of easy adjustment.

This review comes from a full week’s testing, with a mix of mostly mild weather but also a fair amount of heavy rain. I also managed to add the first 1,000 miles to the clock of a compact motorhome that did indeed prove a pleasure to drive.

NOT QUITE BUILT FOR BRITAIN?
As an import, the habitation door is on our offside, but note the window adjacent is of the sliding variety rather than the usual (and cheaper) top-hinged affair – so there’s no chance of the door getting accidently blown open and causing a potentially costly (and embarrassing) accident.

The door itself is windowless. True, it saves a bit of money, and plenty of its rivals don’t have a window either. However, I can’t help thinking it should be considered an essential when it comes to an interior like this.

Best of all is the kind of bodywork construction that, increasingly, is being seen as the norm for any kind of coachbuilt motorhome these days – with GRP sides and roof, insulation provided by Styrofoam (superior to cheaper polystyrene) and a framework construction that’s wood-free. Here, it’s called ExPS and it’s backed by a 10-year warranty.

It’s all rather good looking on the outside, too, thanks to features such as full side skirts in the same grey as the cab (something you’re likely to pay extra for on most rival vehicles) and Fiat wheeltrims.

IT’S ON TRACK
Quite simply, you won’t better the Fiat Ducato for the driving experience in a vehicle like this. Why? It certainly starts off on the right base, using Fiat’s Camper chassis, which has a wider rear track, firmer suspension and different tyres to a standard Ducato set-up.

It proved not quite such a positive travel experience for rear passengers. It’s a rather upright seat for those in the back, while that table is a constant presence despite being capable of pushing right across to aid access to the living quarters from the cab.

IN THE RIGHT KEY
The signature feature of each of the three Roller Team T-Line models (the 590 here is definitely the baby of the range) is the comfortable large double bed over the lounge, waiting to glide down at the flick of a key to almost any height you want.

The lounge set-up means no hasty re-arranging of cushions, or indeed table, is needed to lower the bed (it’s something to watch for in rivals, for sure). The travel seat, for example, is positioned so the bed glides down beside it. Some of that is also because there are no lockers fitted to the bed’s underside, meaning it really does glide down as low as possible.

IN THE KITCHEN
The lack of a drainer is slightly annoying. More important is the combined three-ring hob and sink in good old stainless-steel, the latter with a loose cover/chopping board.

The hob lacks spark ignition, but so what? And worktop space, apart from to the right of the sink, is rather limited. But maybe all this is to be expected.

Across the galley there’s the huge fridge/freezer. The accompanying Smev oven is an addition for us in the UK – and it is positioned high above the fridge/freezer.

This is an edited extract. Read the full review in the March 2014 digital issue of MMM magazine.

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