IH 690 RD high-top campervan

Base vehicle: Mercedes Sprinter Price from: £98,333 Berths: 2 Travel seats: 2 Length: 6.97m Width: 2.02m Height: 2.72m Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: 325kg

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The IH 690 RD

A dozen years or so ago, Mercedes-based models were a regular sight from IH Motorhomes, albeit in lower volumes than their Fiat equivalents. More recently, though, if you wanted an alternative to the Ducato, this luxury campervan builder would point you towards its Volkswagen Crafter range.

Now, following customer demand, the Merc is back, alongside the Fiat and VW, with the new 690 RD model having made its debut at the Norfolk Motorhome & Campervan Show in July.

IH’s numbering system is a clue to overall length, so the new Mercedes takes its position as the company’s largest model, longer than the 680 on VW and 630 on Fiat. The ‘RD’ refers to the fact that the panel van’s rear doors are retained here, rather than having a fixed moulded back panel that has long been an IH trademark.

At £104,705, as shown, including £4,710-worth of conversion options and a further £1,662 in Mercedes extras, the newcomer also becomes the brand’s flagship. Don’t expect it to be anything other than the best of IH, though.

The spec

Inside this near-seven-metre motorhome, it’s still a pure two-berth layout with a generous U-shaped rear lounge – the sort of thing that IH has made its name with. That’s not to say there aren’t benefits in going for the Sprinter over even the already longer-than-usual Crafter.

Here, there’s a taller fridge and a longer galley. But it’s the rear lounge that will be the reason to buy, with its wrap-around seating luxuriously appointed in half leather (£1,195 extra) and four super-sized matching cushions ensuring comfortable feet-up relaxing.

There’s a wind-up Heki sunroof above and a new Avtex smart TV (a £675 option) in a corner cupboard, while storage is generous in the seat bases. Even without IH’s replacement back panel, boot area storage has not been forgotten and this measures 1.13m by 660mm with a height of 350mm – plenty for outdoor chairs, etc.

Up front, the cab chairs swivel, so this is an ideal second seating area when the rear is made as a pair of 1.87m long twin beds or a large double. There’s more storage overhead, too, rather than a full-height walk-through.

The kitchen

At the side, the door slides back electrically, revealing one of the largest kitchen areas you’ll see in a motorhome, let alone a van conversion. With the large worktop extension flap raised, it’s 2.35m long and, even without it, it’s still a generous 1.75m from end to end. That’s also before you include the Thetford 141-litre fridge (with separate bottle drawer) on the offside.

Unlike the VW-based IH 680, the 690 has a separate grill and oven, as well as three gas rings and a mains hotplate. There’s also a sink with integral draining board and two super-sized drawers (one with wooden cutlery holder). All the cupboards have push-to-open catches but the gloss doors seen here are a £920 option.

The washroom

Alongside the fridge, the 690 RD has his and hers wardrobes, one above the other. Then, forward of that, the washroom is a good size and has double doors (which are less intrusive into the aisle) for access.

The stainless-steel basin in here is set into a large white counter, while the loo is the ubiquitous swiveller from Thetford. It’s a little room with plenty of room but, disappointingly, you’ll need to use a curtain when showering.

Summary

In the living area, this new Merc clearly has a few advantages over its VW Crafter stablemate but we’d still probably opt for the latter on the basis of driver appeal. Some will be drawn to the star on the nose, though, and the rear-wheel drive, in which case this IH has lots going for it, if you can afford it.