Itineo MC740 10th Limited Edition

Berths: 4 Travel seats: 4 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: 450kg

Itineo only builds A-class motorhomes, but this is no rival to Carthago or Concorde. Here, you can buy a fully equipped A-class motorhome for £60,000.

So, with this French company celebrating its tenth anniversary, why isn’t it better known on these shores?

Well, perhaps it’s because the brand hasn’t been represented here for the whole decade – it’s really only become established in the UK in the last couple of years – but, more likely, it’s because there are only a couple of dealers, currently.

We still think this is a name to watch, however. Firstly, when so many motorhomes look alike, Itineos are instantly recognisable. More importantly, though, this marque comes from the Rapido stable. Its motorhomes are built in the same factory as Rapidos and Dreamers, and there’s sometimes a policy of trying out innovations here before they filter through to the parent brand.

This MC740 motorhome is only available as a 10th anniversary special – and you’ll spot it straight away, thanks to its silver sides.

Inside, its two-tone cream and chocolate upholstery is just as distinctive, while the extra padded sections to the seat backs add comfort. Itineo calls it a Mokka ambience and other new additions include the chrome strip on the table edging, the kitchen window cladding and the habitation door with window and waste bin.

The TV position has been improved, too.

The layout seems made for UK customers, with a rarely-seen-in-an-import lounge featuring side-facing settees. As with Rapido’s own models, the large table folds in half to become less obtrusive when you’re not dining, while the rear seats can also be converted to face forwards for travel.

The L-shape has been inverted to further increase the amount of floorspace in the front of the motorhome, and that seems particularly apt when you learn that this ’van is aimed at dog owners.

The MC740 is trialling a brand-new feature called Doggy-Neo, including a lidded dog bowl in a drawer under the fridge. Fido will be pleased.

Fido’s owners are more likely to be impressed by the end bedroom with central island bed measuring 1.95m long by a generous 1.60m wide. They’ll also like the split ablutions – shower on one side, toilet room on t’other, with doors to close off the whole bathroom from both the bedroom and lounge.

You just need to add the Pack Itineo for essential add-ons like cab air-conditioning, a passenger airbag, cruise control, central locking, height-adjustable cab seats and – for the UK only – an oven, the folding table and a height-adjustable rear bed. The Pack gives you £3,370-worth of kit for an extra £420. You might also want to add a mains electric heating option for the Truma Combi 6 at £430, but a gross weight upgrade to 3,650kg is a no cost option.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read more in the May 2017 issue of What Motorhome magazine.

You can get a digital version of this latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.