On Test Itineo CD720 IMPRESSIVE INTEGRAL...It seats five adults, or four adults and two children in...

On Test Itineo CD720

138 I APRIL 2008 MOTORCARAVAN MOTORHOME MONTHLY

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Words & pictures by Jonathan Lloyd

It’s a sad fact that after attending more than my share of launches of new

motorcaravans I’m suffering from battle fatigue - as few that I can afford really get my juices flowing. Most new models

seem to me to be just more of the same, or have telephone number price tags. So what happened when a truly likely lovely was unveiled at the NEC? I was on holiday on the other side of the world, that’s what! Typical! The only major British indoor motorcaravan show I’ve missed in decades had such a fantastic surprise in store.

Still, never mind, in order to prevent me going into a motorhoming sulk MMM arranged

IMPRESSIVE INTEGRALItineo CD720 on 2.3-litre Fiat Ducato

An island bed-equipped A-class for £40,000. Surely not?

for yours truly to be the first to test this exciting brand-new A-class.

No beating around the bush, the Itineo was mightily impressive. The actual vehicle tested was an early-production European press demonstrator, which is why it was a left hooker with French number plates. I’ll try and point out the differences between this and future right-hand drive imports as we go, and also summarise them later.

THE CONTENDERSNone of our home-grown volume manufacturers seem to be able to make a go of an A-class motorhome: though exactly why remains unclear. (I would venture to suggest that the root of the problem might lie in the

Words & pictures by Jonathan Lloyd

isolationist nature of British motorcaravan builders: none seems to make any real effort to export its products. Without a Europe-wide marketplace it may be that demand is insufficient to justify setting up a proper A-class production run.)

This lack of British-built contenders offers a real opportunity for the European contingent to make a killing. Have a squint around any rally field and I bet a good number of Hymer, Rapido and Pilote A-class ‘vans will be present, together with a sprinkling of other more recent challengers such as Adria. Anyone, like me, who is challenged at the disposable income/aspiration interface (champagne tastes, with lemonade money) and has tried to buy a new A-class will know

138-145 live-in test .indd 1 3/3/08 4:31:14 PM

MOTORCARAVAN MOTORHOME MONTHLY APRIL 2008 I 139

Live-in Test report▲

1 General view forwards from rear bedroom. Kitchen, lounge and cab are all on the same level; the bedroom is one step higher

2 General view rearwards. Just visible in the background is the transverse island double bed. This together with the wardrobe and washroom can be portioned off by a full-height folding fabric door

■ PRICE FROM: £38,526 OTR■ BERTHS: 4■ BASE VEHICLE: Fiat Ducato long

wheelbase chassis cowl■ LAYOUT: Forward Euro lounge with swivelling cab seats, half-dinette,

inward-facing settee. Drop-down transverse bed in cab. Amidships L-shaped kitchen ahead of transverse island double bed. Across-the-rear washroom with separate shower compartment and wardrobe.

■ ECONOMY: 30.1mpg overall

AT A GLANCE

Breakdown assistance not required; the Fiat performed faultlessly throughout the test

that most of them are clearly targeted at the well-trousered.

That’s changed now though, step forward Itineo: a new French manufacturer of an equally new range of A-class motorcaravans with unfeasibly slim asking prices.

ENTER MIDGELEY Although Itineo looked good on paper, in the ‘flesh’ it was even more impressive. A fact that didn’t escape John Midgley, the genial proprietor of Midgley Motorcaravans, when he visited the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon - Europe’s biggest show. The rest, as they say, is history. Motorcaravans are not a new venture for the Midgley Motors Group. As an independent Volkswagen retailer, it used to sell

Veedub splitty and bay window campervans from converters such as Devon, Danbury and Westfalia. Now as part of expansion plans, this seventy-year-old Skipton-based operation is once again offering new and used motorcaravans for sale.

To back up the Itineo franchise the company has an extensive sales area, together with a well-equipped award-winning workshop, which enjoys a reputation of being able to service, repair and fabricate to the highest standards.

STRONG BOX Striking and curvy were two of the most frequently words used to describe the Itineo’s shape. Striking it most certainly is, but it ain’t

curvy, though the smoothly radiused front end and clever graphics manage to suggest that it is. I liked its unique front profile even if it did remind me of an escaped London underground tube train!

Itineo has certainly done its homework regarding torsional strength of closed box structures, with the result that the aluminium-clad side panels, polyester roof and front end cap combo has created what appeared to be a really rigid structure.

As keen motorcaravanners themselves, Midgley’s proprietors felt the Itineo range in general, and the CD720 in particular, to be practical, well designed and superb value for money. We took the CD720 to the Lake District for a week to test these claims

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was creak free. Nor was there a squeak or rattle from any of the furniture: only a lone percussive cassette blind disturbed the peace.

With no form of in-‘van entertainment fitted as standard (not even the Light Programme from a mono wireless) it certainly was peaceful - to the point of loneliness. Of course, new owners can easily choose their own kit from the mind-boggling array that’s on offer these days.

Two other perceived disadvantages of A-class motorcaravans are blind spots caused by windscreen pillars thicker than Nelson’s Column and feeble demisting. Here, both have been batted out of play. Commendably thin pillars and an effective and fast multi-vent heating system ensured a good view out even on cold and misty starts. UK spec imports will also benefit from cab air-conditioning included in the price.

The size of the windscreen (not as deep as the huge coach-style windscreens of some) actually worked to its advantage. Good sight lines were available without that awful goldfish bowl feeling, and the cab shouldn’t behave like a greenhouse in our globally warmed summers.

The 130 is the Multijet engine to power all but the heaviest motorcaravans. Why? Well, because both the engine and transmission ratios were specifically designed to haul an overcab coachbuilt.

An engine that pulls smoothly from ridiculously low revs and goes on developing shed-loads of torque throughout its rev range, makes for relaxed and economical progress. Six speeds offer a cog for every occasion, while the light clutch and faultless fascia-mounted gearchange add positively to the driving experience. It was economical too: even with my clodhoppers I achieved over 30mpg whilst putting it through its paces, so those on a more relaxed tour should do even better. It’s Euro 4 emissions compliant.

Instead of going through the minute details of the cab’s fixtures and fittings, it’s perhaps more important to consider the following areas.

Firstly, crash protection. Fiat went to a great deal of trouble to make the pointy end of the Ducato cab as safe as possible in a

road traffic accident. Survival with minimal injury was the principal focus and not just for the occupants, but also for any pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists unfortunate enough to be involved. Obviously, Itineo has dispensed with the Fiat cab and added its own: I’m not an engineer (just a poor DIYer who has to repair the unrepairable) but I thought it seemed up to the job. Prospective owners will have to make their own minds up, but the fact that production vehicles will be fitted with driver and passenger airbags as standard should inspire some confidence.

At the rear there’s a considerable area of unsupported (not braced) floor behind the rear of the chassis. Both Itineo and Midgley Motorhomes were adamant that the 50mm thick sandwich floor doesn’t need any rearward chassis extension, as the method of construction of the coachbuilt body will not allow the floor to sag. They are the professionals qualified in this field, but as I have a belt and braces approach to fabrication, I thought it looked a touch naked.

To be fair, the owner of Itineo (and I’m not saying who it is yet) is renowned throughout Europe for its high standard of motorcaravan engineering and for the build quality and longevity of its conversions, so what do I know?

LOUNGE/DINER, A VIEWPOINT Lots of people talk about the brilliant on-road vista that an A-class front end affords, but just as important to me was the brilliant at-rest vista this one offered.

The Itineo allowed natural light to flood in and offered plenty of vantage points for appreciating the Lake District on a cold, but sunny, break: come on in and relax in the well-planned lounge. It seats five adults, or four adults and two children in comfort. Undoubtedly, the best pews in the house are the two swivelled cab seats. At first I thought that the lack of a panoramic Heki rooflight might make the interior a bit dismal, but it didn’t: all that window area and the use of bright modern soft furnishing fabrics more than redressed the balance.

Artificial light is provided by halogen lamps,

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DUCATO’S DESIGNS The 7.20-metre-long CD720 sits on the 3500kg MAM version of the Fiat Ducato chassis cowl, so one could be forgiven for fearing that any available payload would be minimal. Wrong: the manufacturer claims a respectable 500kg and that is after an allowance has been made for habitation equipment.

Unlike the independently sprung Al-Ko rear chassis fitted to many A-class ‘vans, standard Ducato fare here relies on a rigid axle tube and semi-elliptical ‘cart’ springs. (Fred Flintstone engineering is alive and well in Italy then - a fact that’ll please readers who prefer the mechanics to be simple, effective and easy to repair.) Anyway, the principal reason for Itineo not opting for the Al-Ko alternative will be to reduce manufacturing costs.

On test, the cart springs offered a firm ride with hardly any body roll, even when hustled through corners. It’s perhaps not the most sophisticated suspension set-up I’ve ever tested, but neither was the ride unacceptably jarring.

As has been mentioned previously, attention to detail - coupled with advanced computer aided design - has resulted in a very rigid A-class body. There wasn’t any scuttle shake, and progress along pretty bumpy road surfaces



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Live-in Test report

including those in the ‘strip’ luminaires that run underneath the overhead lockers.

The table proved to be pretty much a prince among paupers. Its basic design was unremarkable - moving forward and backwards along a wall-mounted rail and with a leg and foot at t’other end. An extension pulls out from underneath the tabletop to enable five to dine in comfort. It’s a prince, not because of cutting-edge design, but because

it did everything so much better than most. Stable in use without looking like the rock of Gibraltar planted in the middle of the ‘van, it extended and retracted easily and was shaped so that all diners could reach it, and yet it wasn’t always in the way! Believe me, after you’ve sat at as many rickety tables as we have and barked your shins as often as I, you too would judge this ordinary-looking unit to be ‘top dollar’ (or should that be top Euro?).

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GALLEY RAVE Bulldog Drummond here (master of the single-entendre) is of the firm belief that European motorhome manufacturers don’t place a high priority on the galley because they’ve never experienced my partner’s dumplings!

Seriously though, the kitchen is frequently the weakest area of imported ‘vans, especially in those built down to a price. As presented this kitchen lacked an oven or grill, though the

3 Pilot’s pew in the left-hand drive test vehicle

4 Relaxez-vous, The lounge is the perfect place perfect for a gin et tonic!

5 The table extends to sit five comfortably, with plenty of elbowroom

6 Rear chassis extensions caught my eye - there weren’t any

7 Amidships kitchen is mostly on the nearside with just the fridge/freezer across the aisle

8 Right-hand drive Itineos will have an oven/grill above the fridge/freezer. Higher still, is a foldaway LCD TV support in a dedicated locker




rest had pretty much all one would wish for. Budget limitations meant that there wasn’t an extractor fan or fancy task lighting, though most folks should be able to see what they’re doing well enough. The position of the hob (with electronic ignition) means that the chef will be standing ‘side saddle’ to it. I found this took a bit of getting used to. On the other hand, positioned in the corner of the L-shaped base unit as it is, it releases a useful amount of worktop.

Fear not though, gourmet grillers and persistent pie fanciers will be accommodated in future, as right-hand drive imports purchased from Midgley Motorcaravans will feature a combined grill and oven above the fridge/freezer. Yes, they are aware (as motorcaravanners themselves) that this isn’t a perfect location, but - short of rebuilding the kitchen - it’s the best compromise. Anyway, it won’t be as high as some and a model with a top-hinged door has been selected.

On the test ‘van, the Thetford two-door Automatic Energy Selection fridge/freezer failed to operate on any setting. That said, when on gas it did raise the temperature inside the cabinet slightly (a sort of not-very-efficient slow cooker that was obviously in need of some attention).

ABLUTIONS Taking up the majority of the rear wall, the washroom has most of the usual kit - including plenty of storage - and overall it was found to be basically sound and easy to use. Only two cheers here though, as there weren’t any clothes hooks, towel rail, or toilet roll holder and, worst of all, no blind on the window. Surely the last was an economy too far?

Once again, there is nothing revolutionary about the design though there was plenty of room for manoeuvring, which means occupants won’t have to perform the ‘Thetford Tango’ in order to get past the loo and reach the separate walk-in shower.

The shower worked well, with the bi-fold doors preventing any stray sprays wetting the rest of the room. A single, centrally-placed drain outlet wasn’t 100 per cent efficient unless the ‘van was absolutely level which, (of course) it never was.

Also, and in common with many motorcaravans based on the Ducato, this one had a permanent tail up/nose down stance, which, to my eyes, made it look like an overeager puppy... Well from a distance anyway!

SELLING SLUMBERSNo question, the unique selling point of this ‘van is right here in zed-land or more precisely, in the character of the rear bedroom. At last someone has got to grips with designing a medium-sized motorcaravan with a permanent bed that doesn’t require oxygen and crampons to reach it, or the litheness of a belly dancer to get out of it.

In addition, this transverse island double has both-sides access so doesn’t trap one sleeper against a wall. It also benefits from a most useful bedside cupboard with a magazine net (tailor-made for the latest MMM) located on the adjacent wall.

My only nocturnal gripe concerned the lack of individually switched lights to read by. Partners have to agree that both lamps should be either on or off. Probably grounds for divorce for us!

At the opposite end of the ‘van is a fairly typical A-class drop down transverse double bed. Raising and lowering the bed is assisted by gas-filled sprung struts and the whole contains a mosquito net-style surround and a halogen downlighter, which automatically switches off when the bed is raised (so you can’t accidentally leave it on). In common with most such beds it has a one-piece mattress. This bed can also be stowed made-up and ready for use.

STORAGE In short there’s oodles of it, though it could be argued that it’s not particularly well developed

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I LIKED■ Excellent price■ Rigid structure■ Distinctive front end■ Practical and well thought-out

interior layout■ Amazing amount of accommodation

in a modest length■ Clever island bed ■ Lounging on site in the swivelled

cab seats■ Pace with economy from the

130 Multijet motor■ Large water tanks■ Well designed gas locker

I WOULD HAVE LIKED ■ Smoke alarm■ Window blind in washroom■ Matching cab/caravan curtains■ A spare wheel instead of a can of

puncture sealant

I DISLIKED ■ Non functioning fridge/freezer■ Location of the Truma Combi boiler

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Live-in Test report

■ OVERALL LENGTH: 7.20m (23ft 7.5in)*

■ OVERALL WIDTH: 2.35m (7ft 8.5in)*

LAYOUT PLAN

9 The large black caps facilitate easy cleaning of the freshwater tank

10 The washroom is well planned, but needs a window blind and towel rail

11 The island bed will be the main reason (apart from the price) to buy this motorhome

12 Bedside cupboard and magazine net

13 Two extra berths are available in the cab via this rather-swish dropdown bed


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WE STAYED ATTroutbeck Head Caravan Club Site, Troutbeck, Penrith CA11 0SS (tel: 01768 483 521; web site: www.caravanclub.co.uk)

VEHICLE SUPPLIED BYMidgley Motorhomes, Unit 16 Airedale Business Centre, Keighley Road, Skipton BD23 2TZ (tel: 01756 797652: web site: www.midgley.co.uk)

in the kitchen, where there are neither dividers for the cutlery drawer, nor any inserts for the crockery store - and not a slide-out basket in sight.

The mattress and supporting framework to the rear bed lifted easily to reveal a cavernous storage area. Access to this is also possible from the exterior.

Up front, the forward-facing double, belted travel seat’s base is home to a generously sized freshwater tank that has two threaded lids to aid cleaning.

The gas cylinder locker will safely hold two 13kg cylinders and there is sufficient room to change them easily.

KIT COUNTPerhaps there’s not as much in the way of gizmos and gadgets as one would expect in an A-class, though it would be easy to add a flyscreen door, awning light or whatever, as and when finances permit. All the essentials

were there though, with no unnecessary fripperies. Isn’t that how it should be?

The one bit of kit that requires further thought is the Truma Combi boiler, or rather the location and installation of same. It is tucked away in the far corner of the kitchen base unit where it isn’t separated from the rest of storage. Because of this, it made a great job of heating up all the base cupboards, potentially turning stored food stale. Also, with no exterior access panel, it looked as if it would be a very difficult job to reach the business bits for servicing or repair.

ITINEO OVER HEREAll right-hand drive Itineos purchased through Midgley Motorhomes will have increased specification over the model featured in this test.

All will be fully UK road-legal, with cab air-conditioning, cruise control, ASR traction control and driver and passenger airbags. British mains sockets, gas grill/oven, loose-lay bound-edge carpets and the Comfort Pack of accessories will also be included.

CONCLUSION Although the conversion will not be handed for UK customers buying right-hand drive models, the CD720 is still a peach of a ‘van. It was possible to pick out areas where cost cutting has reduced the specification in order to achieve such a fabulously low purchase price. These take the form of not including things like 230V operation on the Truma Combi boiler, a panoramic rooflight, flyscreen door, bathroom window blind or double-glazing to the cab side windows. Of course, all this is infinitely preferable to corner cutting on the basic structure or build

Who needs a garage when you’ve got this? The under-bed storage will swallow loads of gear

TYPEA-class coachbuilt

PRICE ■ From: £38,526 OTR ■ As tested: £40,554 OTR (price of UK spec

motorhome)

BASICS■ Vehicle: Fiat Ducato long wheelbase

chassis cowl■ Berths: 4■ Three-point belted seats: 4 (including driver)■ Warranty: 2 years base vehicle and

conversion, 3 years water ingress

CONSTRUCTION Bonded sandwich walls with aluminium cladding, moulded GRP roof and front cap. Caravan entrance on UK offside

DIMENSIONS (*manufacturer’s figures)■ Length: 7.20m (23ft 7.5in)*■ Width: 2.35m (7ft 8.5in)*■ Height: 2.89m (9ft 6in)*■ Wheelbase: 4.03m (13ft 2.5in)*■ Rear overhang: 2.21m (7ft 3in)*■ Max authorised weight: 3500kg*■ Payload: 500kg* (after an allowance for

90 per cent fresh water and fuel, full water heater, 75kg for driver)

INSIDE STORYForward Euro lounge with swivelling cab seats, half-dinette, inward-facing settee. Drop-down

LIVE-IN TEST DATA ITINEO CD720

quality. In many ways this seemed to equal, or better, than some models costing a lot more.

In addition, CD720 has a layout for others to aspire to. It leaves all those with permanent beds which trap one partner against a wall dead in the water.

Itineo is the most significant new brand and range of motorcaravans to appear for years. It will bring A-class motorcaravanning within the reach of many more prospective new ‘van buyers too.

The CD720 is suitable for couples who appreciate the space, and for families, providing it is appropriate for the children to share a double bed, though other family-friendly layouts are available from Itineo. Who’d have thought that a new A-class would be within their reach - or mine?

WHO IS ITINEO?Itineo is a brand-new company with a brand new factory. However, It is closely related to, and was set up using the expertise of long-established and respected French maker Rapido! Makes perfect sense now, doesn’t it?



Live-in Test report

transverse bed in cab. Amidships L-shaped kitchen ahead of transverse island double bed. Across-the-rear washroom with separate shower compartment and wardrobe ■ Insulation: Floor 50mm, walls 30mm,

Roof 32mm■ Interior height: 2.12m (6ft 11.5in) max

THE VEHICLE■ Engine: 2.3-litre turbo-diesel, producing

95.5kW (130bhp) @ 3600rpm ■ Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox,

front-wheel drive■ Fuel consumption: 30.1mpg overall■ Brakes: Servo-assisted discs all round with ABS■ Suspension: Front: Independent coil springs.

Rear: Leaf springs on rigid axle■ Features: Electric mirrors and driver’s door

(UK nearside) window, fully-adjustable cab seats, each with a swivel base, two armrests and built-in seatbelt mounts. Moulded storage pockets and lockable bins

LOUNGING AND DININGForward lounge seats five adults or four adults and two children. Extendable table for five diners slides fore and aft on wall-mounted rail

KITCHENLocated amidships with sink and hob on UK nearside, L-shaped worktop, fridge-freezer on opposite side of central aisle■ Sink: Round stainless steel bowl with

monobloc mixer tap and glass lid. No drainer■ Cooker: Cramer three-burner stainless steel

hob with electronic-ignition

■ Fridge: Thetford N145 two-door fridge/freezer, three-way operation with Smart Energy Selection. Capacity 141 litres

WASHROOMThetford electric-flush swivel-bowl cassette toilet, washbasin and storage cupboards. Separate walk-in shower compartment with rigid double doors

BEDS Drop-down transverse double in cab■ Length: 1.84m (6ft 0.5in)■ Width: 1.36m (4ft 5.5in)■ Headroom: 762mm reducing to 667mm

(2ft 6in to 2ft 2in)Rear transverse island double ■ Length: 1.93m (6ft 4in) ■ Width: 1.37m (4ft 6in)

STORAGEEight high-level lockers. Space under side settee and permanent bed, (bed has both internal and external access). Dedicated flat-screen TV cupboard with 360-degree rotating slide-out mounting. Top-hinged locker to right of offside cab seat. Wardrobe with low-level shelf and shoe storage under. Transverse hanging rail allows full-length garment storage

LIFE SUPPORT■ Fresh water: Inboard. Capacity: 120 litres

(26.4 gallons)■ Waste water: Underslung. Capacity:

120 litres (26.4 gallons)■ Water and space heater: Truma Trumatic

LIVE-IN TEST DATA ITINEO CD720

Combi C4002 boiler with blown-air heat distribution. Gas-only operation

■ Leisure battery: 90 amp hr■ Gas: Capacity 2 x 13kg cylinders■ Lighting: Eight under-locker halogen lights.

Central salon fitting with three halogen downlighters. Two swivel halogen reading lights above cab seats, one above cab bed. Central downlighter in bedroom

■ Sockets: 230V: 2 (in TV cupboard, kitchen), 12V: 1 (in TV cupboard)

■ Control panel: Mounted above caravan door, levels indicated by LEDs, monitors/operates all caravan functions except heating

■ Blinds/curtains: Cassette blinds and flyscreens to all caravan windows and rooflights except washroom. Net curtains (muslin) to most caravan windows with trimmed reveal (drape) detail. Lined cab curtains with matching tiebacks

■ Badged as NCC EN1646 compliant: No

OPTIONAL EXTRASFitted to test vehicle■ Base vehicle: None■ Conversion: Comfort Pack includes heated

and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, remote central locking, fabric trims, external mirror on wardrobe door (£349). Pack will be included on UK spec models

Other options■ Base vehicle: Towbar: (£723)■ Conversion: None

E&OE


On Test Itineo CD720 IMPRESSIVE INTEGRAL...It seats five adults, or four adults and two children in...

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