Rapido C86 65th Anniversary Edition motorhome

Less width, more spec for this island bed motorhome

In 2026, Rapido, which is still a family business (now in the third generation), celebrates its 65th anniversary. To mark the 
occasion, it has unveiled a set of special edition vehicles – seven models, including one campervan, four low-profile 
motorhomes and two compact A-classes. Two of the low-profiles are also from the 2.17m-wide compact C Series range, 
including this island bed model. This 65th Anniversary version replaces last year’s Night Edition.

Of course, the special edition variants are recognised not only from their R65 logos but also the Iron Grey cab, duo-tone alloy wheels and new black framed windows. Inside, there are special TEP (faux leather) upholsteries – choose from Noumea or Palma – as well as two furniture styles, Luceo (shown) or Nacarat (a mix of darker wood and gloss white). Backlit headboards and a black duckboard in the shower are further cosmetic changes.

Naturally, there’s extra spec, too, for the anniversary edition (the C86 will not be offered as a standard model this season). A leather steering wheel, electric parking brake, Pioneer 9in multimedia unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 100Ah lithium battery, 150W solar panel and heated waste tank are all included.

Rapido also adds to the appeal by further enhancing the spec for the UK market, so there’s Truma Combi 6kW diesel/230V heating, an 18-litre oven (but no grill), removable carpets, an outside shower and rear steadies as standard.

Under 7m long

The basics are the same as before, so this remains a 6.99m motorhome with a face-to-face lounge – you can have it as an A-class, too, for an additional nine grand. Surprisingly, there are few direct rivals that combine this layout with a slimline body.

The bodywork uses Rapido’s Novatech construction featuring impact-resistant polyester outer panels, including under the floor, while the insulation is Styrofoam. The skirts are aluminium and the windows are fully framed, so the C86 ticks the boxes of a premium-spec motorhome, while the practicalities include an auto-retracting electric step and remote central locking of cab and habitation doors.

Good storage and payload

This may be a relatively petite motorhome but it doesn’t seem so in terms of storage or payload – 535kg. The garage can carry up to 150kg of that in a space that has two full-sized loading doors and a width of 99cm. Headroom in here is variable from 87cm to 1.07m, by electrically raising or lowering the bed above. A clever system of slats ensures separation between the garage and bedroom whatever the height of the bed, while the space is well-lit by an LED in the ceiling and there are fixed tie-down hooks.

Above the garage, the bedroom is a key reason to buy. It looks attractive, with wardrobes suspended over large bedside tables, and, with the bed slid back, it not only creates a chaise longue-style arrangement but leaves just enough room to negotiate yourself around the curved foot of the Bultex mattress. It’s a long bed, too, at 1.92m but, when flattened for sleeping, there is only space for the skinniest of folk to walk between the bed and the door.

Compact lounge area

The lounge itself isn’t huge – remember that the C86 is half a metre shorter than a typical island bed layout, as well as being narrower – but it still manages to offer plenty of space for a couple. The cab chairs swivel easily and the settees come with scatter cushions and, on the offside, an armrest. Because the cab floor is higher, the sofas are a tad tall unless you have long legs, but they are perfect for feet-up chilling with the front seats rotated through a full 180 degrees. The TV (its bracket is mounted not too high in the entrance area) is then in the ideal spot, too. The table folds in half to be less bulky, as well as 
twisting and sliding to any position.

Another plus is the generous lighting, with myriad downlights, plus ambient illumination above and below the top lockers, swivelling reading lights over each sofa and touch-operated lamps in the cab. The large overcab sunroof (which is glass with a heater duct for defrosting) ensures there’s also plenty of daylight. Overall, this doesn’t feel like a compact motorhome once you’re inside – it has plenty of room for a couple.

Kitchen and bathroom

The main galley is adjacent to the lounge in the nearside and has a two-burner hob, extractor hood and a slot-in worktop (max 5kg) to give a little serving space. With a trio of drawers (with central locking for travel) and a large cupboard under the sink, there’s good storage here, while opposite is the 149-litre compressor fridge, above which you’ll find the oven – hopefully, the chef is the taller member of the C86’s entourage!

Despite its compact dimensions, the C86 follows the proven format layout for its ablutions; toilet and shower areas facing each other across a central aisle. The toilet door can close off the rear of the motorhome (and be locked), and there’s even a sliding door to separate the bedroom from the toilet/shower.

The loo compartment is especially impressive. There’s plenty of leg and shoulder room ‘on the throne’, even with the door closed, and, for once, the seat is not too high. The square basin has a designer look and a high-quality tap, as well as plenty of worktop adjacent. A roof vent, two toothbrush mugs and a toilet roll holder are fitted, but the star feature is the storage found behind the sliding mirrors – loads of room for all your toiletries, all held in place with elasticated straps.

On the offside, the shower has good headroom and the intrusion of a wheelarch in one corner is not an issue because of where you’ll stand. Even the single outlet in the shower tray should work, thanks to the shape of the moulding. Again, there’s a roof vent above, plus a soap dish and a fold-down rail for drying towels, etc.

The 65th Anniversary version adds appeal to a proven model in Rapido’s compact C Series range. It majors on garage, bedroom and ablutions areas but doesn’t feel compromised inside in terms of living space. However, the kitchen may be too limited for some.