Adria has been building caravans for 55 years and motorhomes for ‘just’ 38 years! The firm’s first high-top was unveiled in 1995 and it has been a major player in this market sector ever since.
When the Twin – with its permanent double bed in a sub-6m panel van conversion (PVC) – was first introduced, the competition were heard to opine, “There’s no demand for a permanent bed in a PVC,” and/or “It’ll never catch on!”
By the time the X/250 had morphed into the X/290, most of the naysayers had copied this pacesetting layout, although constant (incremental) improvements kept the Twin ahead of the pack at this price-point.
The original Twin layout (later monikered Twin SP) was by far the most popular. In this, one enters via a full-height nearside (more on this later) side sliding door, to find the half-dinette and wall-mounted table located opposite.
Further seating in the forward lounge – diner is courtesy of two swivelling and fully adjustable cab seats. This is a really great place to sit and enjoy the vista through the side door aperture.
The half-dinette provides two additional dedicated travel seats, enabling four to be transported in comfort and safety.
Moving rearwards, the surprisingly spacious shower room (complete with handbasin and toilet) is on the offside, and a half-height wardrobe is above the three-way fridge on the nearside.
The remainder of the interior is taken up by a mid-height transverse double bed, which can be left permanently made up. As with all ‘permanent’ beds in the Twin range, this is a good size, measuring 1.96 x 1.45m tapering to 1.40m (6’5″ x 4’9″/4’7″).
Underneath the double bed there is longitudinal cabinetwork running along each side. Some of this is home to the powerful Truma Combi boiler and the gas cylinder locker; the rest is available for personal storage of all those essential items.
An additional child’s sleeping berth can also be formed, by combining the dinette with the squab of the swivelled driver’s seat. And you get all of this in a motorhome that is a whisker under 6m, making it a very strong candidate for use as an ‘only’ vehicle.
The 2009 season saw the launch of the family-friendly 4Twin, which, as the name implies, offers four (adult) sleeping berths. One would expect four travel seats, but actually there are five – even better!
The somnolent are accommodated in a longitudinal double bed converted from the nearside forward double Pullman dinette, and in two permanent longitudinal full-size bunk beds sited along the nearside wall, just forward of the rear doors.
Families with young children should be aware that the 4Twin isn’t handed for the UK, so the side entrance door is on the wrong side for discharging children on to the pavement, for example, on the school run.
A couple of years later, two more production models were added. First off the blocks was the 5.99m Twin SF, which offered a low0level permanent European-style corner double bed at the nearside rear, with the shower compartment adjacent.
Ducato\s XL version provided the extra length required to enable the Twin SL to offer two permanent high-level longitudinal single beds at the far rear.
Finally, and with an appreciative nod to chanteuse Vanessa Williams, we’ve ‘saved the best for last’!
The Twin GT was a special edition that made a serious style statement, as well as offering higher specification, both on the base vehicle and on the (European-handed) conversion. This one looks even better in reality than it does in the photos. Pure eye-candy!
ESSENTIALS
- Adria Twin on Fiat Ducato X/250 LWB & XL
- Built 2007-2014 in Novo Mesto, Slovenia
- Five-door high-top panel van conversion
- Overall length: Twin/4Twin/TwinGT/Twin SF/Twin SP: 5.998m (19′ 8.5″); Twin SL/SLX: 6.363m (20′ 10.5″)
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Base vehicle
This generation of Ducato was a real game-changer, and offered the most suitable base vehicle for high-top motorhome conversions.
Fourteen years on from its launch, it still looks and feels contemporary, which shows how far ahead of the game it was.
Not a problem, but worth mentioning, is that that the standard power train is ‘only’ the entry-level 100bhp motor coupled to a five-speed gearbox. Extra-cost upgrades included the 120/130bhp and three-litre 160bhp units, all with a six-speed gearbox.
We think the 100 bhp unit is perfectly adequate; although if you disagree, a retro power boost via a tuning box is reasonably cheap.
In common with those of many other vehicle manufacturers, 2007-2010 models can suffer unsightly flaking paint on the bonnet and roof. This is not caused by corrosion, but by the top coat losing its key. Refinishing is a relatively easy procedure, but you should negotiate hard anyway!
Conversion
Overall – very well screwed together using good-quality materials. Check for evidence of a recent full habitation service and that all of the fittings work as they should.
Most of this generation will have been fitted with a gas cylinder locker, rather than a tank, so check that both the regulator and the hose (flexible tubing) are in-date.
OUR PICK
A Twin GT with 3-litre 160bhp engine and Comfortmatic transmission. However, back in the real world, a Twin4 for families and the Twin/Twin SP if you need to carry large loads, such as a mobility scooter or jet ski.
WHAT TO PAY
Early models are selling privatel just shy of £23,000. Motorhome Depot’s Ipswich broker has a 74,000-miler on a 58-plate for £22,999. Clearway Motorhomes has a lower-mileage 2008 example at an asking price of £26,995.
OR YOU COULD TRY…
Adria also built Van M on the Renault Master high-top and Maxivan on the extra-high-roof Ducato.
LIKES
- Efficient use of interior space
- Open and spacious main salon
- Radiused cabinetwork
- Large permanent bed(s)
- Accommodating and flexible rear storage area in Twin /Twin SP
DISLIKES
- Only the Twin/Twin SP is handed for the UK
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By the time the X/250 had morphed into the X/290, most of the naysayers had copied this pacesetting layout, although constance improvements kept the Twin ahead of the pack
