Rick Huckstepp•27 Sept 2013

REVIEW

Swift Sundance 636L

While not perfect this lightweight, six-berth British motorhome could offer significant savings at the fuel pump

It’s not just British caravans that are arriving in droves Down Under, with UK-built motorhomes now starting to appear more regularly on our roads.

Earlier this year the Australian importer of Swift caravans announced it would be selling all 48 models in the Swift motorhome range, from entry-level campervans all the way to luxury, C-class motorhomes.

One of the first to hit the ground here is the Swift Sundance 636L, a 7.8m long, six berth, Fiat Ducato-based motorhome priced from $109,000.

FAMILIAR FIAT BASE

Like many Aussie-built motorhomes the Swift is based on the familiar Fiat Ducato; in this case powered by a fuel-efficient, Euro 5 compliant, 96kW/320Nm 2.3-litre engine. This Aussie-spec version also has upgraded suspension for more comfortable handling and a higher ride height.

The external side walls are finished in slick, one-piece marine grade aluminium sheeting, while the back wall is a one piece fibreglass panel. The corner mouldings looked neat and modern in design, but while appearing to be sealing well some of the silicone beading extruding from the joins looked untidy.

We also noticed rust on the outside of the exhaust pipe. All exhaust pipes go rusty with time but this appeared to be excessive considering this vehicle had just landed as an import. And it looked like it was installed as an afterthought and appeared to be very low to the ground.

The body is built with a 44mm thick plywood and Styrofoam cored floor construction, mounted on an AL-KO galvanised chassis system. External lockable doors open to access storage under the rear lounges and the toilet cassette on the offside.

A half ladder (we couldn’t find the other half) at the rear provides access to the roof where a rack of sorts was available; a good place to store a few crates of gear or surfboards perhaps. This roof section is pre-wired for those wanting to fit solar panels.

A Truma Combi Boiler for duel powered hot water and blown air heating is installed and controlled by the switch panel above the entrance door.

A STEP ABOVE

Other than the Fiat on which it’s mounted, the theme throughout this Swift is ‘lightweight’ as it is with most British RVs. For example, the cabinet structure is mounted on plastic frames to keep weight down, and while appearing sturdy allows for some flexing to prevent fixtures breaking when the vehicle body flexes during travel.

Like many imported RVs the entry door comes with a rubbish bin forming part of the liner.

Directly across from the entrance is the four-seat dining suite which has a large acrylic bubble window for ventilation. All the seats have regulation seatbelts for the family while on the run and there’s storage below the seats in the box sections.

To install the bed base, turning the dining suit into another double bed, a panel with two crossbars comes away from the ends of the seat boxes, effectively blocking the aisle.

Another double bed mattress is found above the vehicle cab in the highline overhang, with usual access via a step ladder (although one wasn’t supplied with the review vehicle).

However, passage from the living area to the vehicle cab is easy with ample gap between the two seats.

Opposite the dining suite is the kitchen bench with a single, recessed bowl sink and flick mixer tap. Alongisde is a dual fuel, four burner cooktop (one electric, three gas) with a glass lid covering to improve the otherwise minimal bench space. This model also has a full oven and separate grill.

A Dometic Series 8 110 litre fridge slots in below the sink bench, next to a small cutlery drawer. Below that is a tall cupboard door that opens to a wire rack pantry, above which (and still inside) is another drawer that I wouldn’t open because it came up against the back edge of the open door. A rethink on the design is needed here.

There’s more storage options near the entrance: a cupboard unit with a tall mirror and hanging space for clothes, and three doors below which open to reveal more shelving.

LATHER UP

The compact bathroom features a Thetford toilet plumbed to an 18 litre wheeled cartridge accessible from the outside wall. When the shower’s in use a folding opaque door can be pulled across, keeping any towels and the toilet seat dry.

The shower alcove is made up of easy-to-maintain plastic liners and there’s shelving for towels, shampoos and the like, but unfortunately no vanity basin.

Moving to the back, the two side lounges are split by a module fixed against the back wall that serves as a coffee table with cupboards and drawers. A bi-fold top extends to form another dining table, albeit small.

This area can also be converted to a double bed, thanks to a pull-out drawer fascia attached to a series of slats that bridge the gap between the two lounge bases, with the back rests filling out the mattress.

For outside use, there’s also a fold-up table located under one of the lounge seats.

Throughout the kitchen, dining and rear lounge/bedroom areas are cupboards fixed up under the roof. As is the current Euro-style, they feature convex fascias with ‘soft’ bottom edges to protect heads of taller folk when moving around. Also, the doors actuate on spring hinges allowing them to stay open of their own accord.

On the electrical side of things the fuse box utilises twin spade auto fuses and a 240 volt circuit breaker, with switching and smoke alarm fitted above the entrance door.

VERDICT

One of the biggest attractions of British caravans is their lightweight construction, and British motorhomes seem to be no different, going by the build of this stylish new model from one of Britain’s biggest RV manufacturers.

While the compact kitchen and a couple of minor flaws discovered on our review vehicle might put some people off, it’s clear the significant weight savings offered by this six-berth Sundance model could pay off for grey nomads looking to stretch their savings further at the fuel pump.

Coupled with a decent standard equipment list and competitive pricing and this Fiat Ducato-based motorhome is definitely worth a closer look.

WHAT WE LIKED:

>> Electrical appointments in the kitchen

>> Convenient bedding options

>> Lightweight construction

NOT SO MUCH:

>> Small fridge and design flaw in kitchen

>> Rusting of exhaust pipe

>> Where are the ladders?

SWIFT SUNDANCE 636L

Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato

Engine: 2.3-litre turbo-diesel

Power/torque: 96kW at 3600rpm/320Nm at 1800rpm

Overall length: 7.8m

External width: 2.24m

Internal height: 1.97m

Tare: 3365kg

ATM: 4250kg

Cooktop: four burner (three gas, one electric), oven and griller

Fridge: Dometic 110 litre three-way

Gas: 1 x 9kg

Freshwater: 90 litre

Fuel consumption: 12L/100km (quoted)

Price as tested: $119,990 (drive-away)

Supplied by: The Caravan Shop, Arundel, Qld

More info: Swift Australia

Swift Sundance 636L

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