Rapido C86 Night Edition low-profile motorhome

The latest special edition motorhome from French manufacturer, Rapido

The Rapido C86 Night Edition motorhome

Motorhome manufacturers often like a special edition. Add some spec, tweak the décor and an existing model can suddenly seem rejuvenated, with added appeal against its opposition. 

Even more so if the deal offers increased value for money.

That’s the case here; not that Rapido’s C Series has been with us for an eternity – it was only launched in 2021. 

But with more brands now offering slimline motorhomes – the C86 is 2.17m wide, compared with 2.35m for the 6F Series – it was perhaps time to spice up the recipe. 

Hence the Night Edition, available as a C55 single bed model (6.72m long with a plethora of rivals) or this C86 with an island bed and much less direct opposition.

The spec

So, what’s the benefit of this special edition?

Well, the most obvious change is the black cab (black as night) but there’s more to it than that.

You get the Smart Pack (16in alloy wheels, leather steering wheel) and Relax Pack (tyre pressure monitoring and an electric parking brake) as standard.

Then, in the cab there’s the 9in multimedia touchscreen with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while in the living area the Night Edition has its own exclusive décor with the Luceo furniture, black accessories and quilted Dubrovnik upholstery.

There’s diesel/230V heating and a heated waste water tank, too, plus all the goodies of the optional Select Pack (including a reversing camera, radio controls on the steering wheel, front fog lamps, cab blinds, Traction Plus, a second leisure battery and habitation door with flyscreen and window).

The layout

Inside, cosmetics aside, this is an existing model (also offered as an A-class but not in combination with Night Edition spec) featuring a compact side sofa lounge up front and an island bed to the rear – all in a relatively modest 6.99m length.

Importantly, the layout also includes a garage with full-sized loading doors on either side. 

And, if its 87cm headroom is insufficient, you can press a button an increase it by 20cm to get your bikes on board, where they can be secured using the fixed lashing points. 

The weight limit here is 150kg, and there’s access to the habitation electrics, plus an external shower. 

The lounge

On board, the lounge may be quite small but it works well with plenty of daylight (via the huge fixed overcab sunroof and a wind-up rooflight) adding to the impression of space. 

Cab and lounge reading lights are a plus, as is the fold-in-half table. 

The side-facing seats (which can be converted for travel) create a more open-plan feel but they are a tad high for those with little legs.

The kitchen

The galley isn’t big, either, but there’s a small slot-in worktop to create some preparation space and storage includes three drawers (including a deep one and one for cutlery). 

As with a growing number of models the hob has just two burners but an oven (not shown in our photos) will be included in the UK spec. 

Pity it’s mounted above the fridge, although that scores points with its 149-litre capacity.

The bedroom and en suite

The rear bed measures 1.92m by 1.37m and has a chaise longue position for lazy Sunday mornings. In this mode you can get around the end of the bed but that becomes impractical when the bed is flat and the sliding bedroom door is closed. 

However, you do get the same en suite ablutions arrangements as in larger island bed motorhomes. The shower (on the offside) is a decent size and comes with a drying rail and a basket for your shampoo, etc. 

The toilet area opposite has superbly practical storage behind its sliding mirrors, with straps to keep your potions in position. 

In the end, though, it may be the new décor and extra kit that’s enough to put the Night Edition on your shopping list. 

Where to buy

In Scotland, the dealer is Dicksons of Perth.

In England, there are now nine outlets representing the brand – Spinney (Knutsford) and Brownhills (Newark) look after the Midlands and north, while Simpsons is in East Anglia, Highbridge’s two branches cover the southwest and Rapido’s original British dealer, Wokingham Motorhomes, is in Berkshire. 

Then there are recent new additions to the network – Oakwell in Barnsley, Harbour Creek on the south coast and Maple Leisure in Hull.

In Ireland, Rapido has dealers both north and south of the border – Thompson Leisure in County Down as well as Cara Motorhomes in County Limerick.

A special edition motorhome means high equipment levels as standard and this Rapido does not disappoint. It is well-specced and well-priced. Definitely one to consider if you're after a low-profile motorhome.