Rapido C66 Optimum Line Motorhome

This mid-season debutante claims a unique mix of talents

It is rare indeed for a major European manufacturer to unveil a new model at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show at the NEC in February, but Rapido chose this venue for the world premiere of its C66 Optimum Line, a special Spring 2026 Series model.

A unique combination

At first glance, the newcomer enters what is perhaps the most crowded sector of the motorhome market, single bed low-profiles with a garage. But the C66 claims to have a unique mix of talents – compact size (slim width, length under 7m), single beds, a face-to-face lounge and a fully separate shower.

Further differentiating the newcomer from its rivals is a raft of kit to make it more suitable for off-grid touring. So, it gets a 150Ah lithium battery, 150W solar panel, 2kW inverter, compressor fridge and diesel heating.

Seventh compact model

The C66 thus becomes the seventh model (including two A-classes) in the compact C Series range with its 2.17m overall width. It is, however, the first model in the whole company portfolio to boast ‘Optimum Line’ specification. As such, the new motorhome comes with both the Smart Pack and Select Pack as standard, as well as the items listed above.

The Smart Pack adds the 16in alloy wheels, Comfort steering wheel and aluminium-style dashboard vents. Then the Select Pack includes the Iron Grey cab, front fog lights, all-season tyres, Traction Plus with Hill Descent Control, rear view camera, habitation door with central locking and flyscreen, radio controls on the steering wheel and cab blinds. 

Of course, there’s a special upholstery, too, with embroidered Optimum Line motif, but more importantly the spec extends to Fiat’s automatic transmission, a Pioneer multimedia unit with 9in touchscreen and an awning. In all, there’s almost £5k-worth of extra kit in the Optimum Line.

Upgraded for the UK

Like all UK-bound Rapidos, the C66 also benefits from the Right-Hand Drive Pack, which adds the electric element to the Combi 6 boiler, a heated waste tank, outside shower, oven and rear steadies – all standard here but extras on the Continent.

The USP, however, is not so much the comprehensive spec as the layout that Rapido has squeezed into a compact vehicle. That shows to a degree in the front lounge, where the side seats are more wide armchairs than truly sofas, although, with swivel cab seats, a fold-in-half table and XXL overcab sunroof, it’s still a comfortable place for a couple to dine and recline.

New Aurora furniture

The kitchen (in new Aurora furniture finish) adopts a fresh design, and an unusual shape. It comes with separate hob (two rings) and sink, and storage in three large drawers. Its pointy form allows a modicum of worktop, but the star feature here is the 149-litre fridge opposite, above which is the oven.

Perhaps the least surprising aspect of the C66 is the rear bedroom, where the single Bultex mattresses (1.90m offside, 1.88m nearside) are each 80cm wide. There are net curtains and reading lights but overhead lockers will make sitting up awkward. Unusually large wardrobes are found below each of the twin beds.

Rear garage, bigger washroom

Also at the back, the all-important garage is limited to 150kg but has good headroom, at 1.20m. It’s a well-lit space with an LED strip on the end wall, while fixed lashing points and the external shower are also here. The gas locker is reached through the garage, too.

Back inside, the big advantage of the C66 over the existing single bed model in the range, the C55, is the entirely separate toilet and shower areas – rather than an all-in-one zone with swing wall.

Here, the shower resides on the offside, while the spacious toilet cubicle is opposite. The format is just as you’d expect in larger Rapidos and includes a loo door the separates the en suite from the lounge and kitchen, while sliding doors make the washing/changing room private from the bedroom.

There’s a lot fitted into a sub-7m slimline motorhome here, plus a generous spec that also caters for off-grid touring. The lounge is quite bijou but the en suite washroom looks like it comes from a larger motorhome.