Adria Twin Max 680 SGX high-top campervan

Combining the MAN van with a clever rising rear bed

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Adria Twin Max 680 SGX

Adria has long been at the forefront of the fixed bed campervan scene, so it’s more of a surprise that it’s taken the company a while to offer an alternative to the Fiat Ducato than the fact that a MAN-based line-up is now available. 

Two versions of the Twin Max have been launched for 2024, the single bed SLB and this SGX version, which differs only in its bedroom arrangement. Of course, as ever, you sleep at the stern, but the SGX offers key advantages over rivals, not only in bed size but also the way the mattress lifts out of the way to create an enormous garage. 

So, this lengthways bed measures a whopping 1.96m by 1.78m but more impressive still is that it rises at the touch of a button right up to the ceiling. Really neat is the way the sides of the bed frame automatically retract as it goes up, so as to fit between the roof lockers.

Good design continues with the rails to which you can lash heavy items, not only on the floor but horizontally on the garage area’s side cabinets. There are even fabric protectors for these cupboards, so they don’t get scratched by your bikes.

The garage also includes a couple of cupboards, the small gas locker (heating is diesel-fired), the inboard 100-litre fresh water tank and the two 100Ah leisure batteries (£280 extra). Just inside the rear barn doors you’ll find a mains socket and an external shower attachment on the offside.

To achieve such a large rear bedroom/garage area, of course, the Twin Max uses the Long version of the MAN TGE, which, at 6.84m, is nearly half a metre longer than the biggest Ducato or Boxer.

The spec

It’s undoubtedly a more modern-looking vehicle than the Fiat and Adria adds 17in alloy wheels (part of the essential but costly – £13,710 – Lux Pack) and subtle, geometric graphics, chromed marque badging, flush-fitting framed windows and a neatly integrated overcab sunroof. Candy White is the only standard colour, with Indium Grey or Reflex Silver metallics priced at £1,620. 

Our photos show a left-hand drive preproduction vehicle but UK right-hand drive models will retain the offside sliding door, fitted with an electric step. A flyscreen here is optional (£365), and a solar panel adds £510, but the Dometic awning is standard.

The aforementioned Lux Pack ensures that you get all the toys, as well as a 4,000kg maximum gross weight, thus requiring a C1 category on your driving licence. 

Also included in the pack are a heated leather multifunction steering wheel, autonomous braking, LED headlamps, adaptive cruise control, DAB+ radio, Climatronic air-conditioning, heated windscreen, the Lights & Vision Pack, and Media Van Nav Pack with four speakers. 

If you want a full suite of electronic driver assistance systems, though, you’ll have to fork out another £1,795. 

The 175hp turbo-diesel engine and eight-speed automatic transmission are standard fare for the UK, so not only do you benefit from the MAN’s comfortable, ergonomic cab but also strong, easy-going performance. Just remember that the very long wheelbase means you need extra room for manoeuvring; not always easy in a car park.

The interior

On site, the front seats swivel to join the usual half-dinette seating but, although the extra space of the MAN is all devoted to the rear, the lounge feels bigger because it enjoys so much daylight. Not only is there a large glass sunroof above the cab but a further huge (80cm by 63cm) wind-up rooflight over the lounge. Combined, they make this seem a bigger, brighter space. 

It’s well-lit after sundown, too, with LED strips above and below the top lockers (the upper ones dimmable), as well as neat mini spotlamps for reading (including the cab chairs).

The cab seats are as supportive on site as they are for driving, while the rear bench might be the very best in its class for comfort. The table includes a couple of cup holders and has a very sturdy swing-out extension leaf to cater for what will be the driver’s seat in RHD models.

The décor 

Adria has always led the way with contemporary interior design and the Max is no exception. The light-coloured woodwork exhibits lots of curves, as well as clean lines due to the lack of any handles. 

Leather upholstery is a £1,360 option and the padded fabric finish around the dinette window and the full plastic trim on the sliding door complete a premium-quality appearance.

The kitchen

For extra worktop in the galley, Adria has eschewed the usual folding flap and instead added a slide-out section at the end of the unit, onto which a panel slots in. It feels very substantial but you’ll have to store that piece of extra worktop somewhere.

The rest of the kitchen holds few surprises bar an unusual drop-down locker above the sink that incorporates a holder for spices, and a wall-mounted set of pockets for utensils. 

The cabinets’ curves and clean lines are repeated and storage here includes three supersized soft-closing drawers, but locker space is reduced in the UK spec due to the fitment of a microwave with grill. Completing the kitchen is a tall compressor fridge with 137.6-litre capacity.

The washroom

Opposite the galley, the washroom has a large, angled mirror and frosted window to enhance the feeling of space and the black tap and black outside/white inside basin look very stylish. There are neat details, too, like the drying rail and top cupboard with deep lip.

However, in use, there are some issues. The loo is rather too high for comfortable sitting and there just isn’t much standing room in here. Things are better, though, when it’s time for a shower, thanks to a simple-to-operate swing wall where the washbasin rotates over the toilet.

Summary

An anticipated extension of Adria’s highly successful Twin range, the Max is extremely stylish and has a superb bedroom/garage zone.

It’s up with the best for contemporary design but has its compromises, too, and you’ll easily  spend over £110k on a fully loaded version.

Where to buy

As one of the most successful and long-established imported brands in the UK, this Slovenian marque has 26 dealers around the country for its motorhome and campervan ranges.

These include BC Motorhomes, Dyce Caravans and Struans Leisure in Scotland and Lisburn Caravan Centre in Northern Ireland. 

In England, all areas are covered, from Leisure World and Tyne Valley Motorhomes in the northeast to Highbridge in the southwest and Caravan Tech in the southeast. 

See adria.co.uk/dealer-finder for a full list.