Hobby Optima De Luxe T70 F motorhome

Berths: 3 Travel seats: 4 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: 460kg

Launched last year, Hobby Complete is so named because it produces motorhomes with a whole host of desirable kit – items that would commonly be listed as optional extras but here are fitted as standard. More on that later, while I put some flesh on the bones of the ’van under inspection.

Take a French bed as the heart of the layout and, instead of the usual washroom alongside, mount it beyond the bed’s head and right across the rear of the vehicle and that’s exactly what the T70 F does. W­ashrooms alongside French beds can be narrow and, if they’re not, the double bed can be the victim, losing crucial width in the process.

This layout solves the problem and then some as the ablutions have far more space – enough in fact to include a large shower cubicle and plenty of floor space. If you’re considering a French bed layout and want a shower that’s a pleasure to use on a regular basis, this might well be the layout for you. It does, of course, result in a much longer ’van, though, without the easy, both sides bed access of an island bed layout.

Move forwards from the bedroom and the scenery changes to one of conventional continental, with a Euro lounge up front and midships L-shaped kitchen. All standard stuff and found in countless motorhomes with any number of layout differences in the rear. Just a few inches over 24ft long (7.38m), the Hobby has looks expected of the type: low-set overcab leading to a flat roofline and a rather plain, square rump.

The Optima sits on the Camper version of the Ducato chassis, making for a lower low-profile with a lower centre of gravity for better handling, while the test ’van was fitted with the 150-horsepower engine upgrade that gives a useful 20bhp increase over the standard motor.

In the cab, the Hobby Complete approach includes a host of kit that would add up to a considerable cost on some converters’ options lists. All the good stuff is here: cruise control, passenger airbag, ESP with Traction+ and a double-height, touchscreen stereo with Bluetooth, reversing camera and a sat-nav that includes campsite listings.

The overall length gives scope for a pleasingly spacious lounge. The large table is wall-mounted, so no inward-facing seat is possible on the nearside. However, opposite, the extra space translates into a side seat that’s big enough for two people and adds to the four that can occupy the rear travel seat and swivelled cab seats. Dining is good, too, as the table is fitted with a swing-out extension, all the better to serve the side seat. 

The T70’s three berths are completed by a transverse single made up in the lounge.

Top down, what is a pretty typical continental kitchen exhibits some nice touches and practical features. The L-shaped main unit’s surface follows the usual trend for the type, with a circular, drainer-less sink, not much worktop, but a good slab of space in its corner for bottles and jars. The hob features three burners in a line. Down again and more good news, with a big cupboard and two roomy drawers – the pair mounted above and below a small oven.

Aft of the cook’s department, the bed is set a bit higher than some – the payoff being a cavernous locker beneath. The good news is the bed measures a very healthy 6ft 7in, which will be more than enough for the average human. Width is to domestic standards (4ft 6in), so very good, too. 

If you’re the kind of person that likes to pitch away from full-facility campsites, the washroom should prove spot on. Ranged right across the rear, there’s oceans of floor space and a big – rigid screen enclosed – separate shower, plus a vanity unit with eminently practical inset basin and generous counter space.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read the full version and more in the July 2018 issue of MMM magazine. You can get a digital version of this latest issue of MMM magazine here.

Good, practical design, high-quality finish and a great layout sums up this Optima. The French bed/end washroom design works well, with the big washroom just asking to be used fully every day. There’s a great lounge, too. Finally, be sure you want all the items in the Hobby Complete menu as the package takes the T70 F to the high end of its market sector price-wise.