Sun Living, the Slovenia-produced entry-level motorhome brand, has been completely relaunched for the 2018 model year.

Parent company Adria Mobil has unveiled a new strategy to consolidate its position as one of Europe’s leading producers over the next few seasons.

And its Sun Living portfolio is a key plank of that proposition.

The Sun Living story

For those unfamiliar with the brand, Sun Living has offerings in each of the van conversion, low-profile coachbuilt and overcab coachbuilt segments.

As well as being popular starter ’vans, Sun Living is also favoured by rental fleet buyers, as the vehicles are affordable, well-built and robust – indeed, they roll off the same production lines in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, as their Adria siblings.

The great reputation of Adria motorhomes doesn’t need much explanation here: the brand is a regular winner or top five finisher in our annual Owner Satisfaction Survey.

Many respectable motorhome producers have budget offerings spun out from a more upmarket brand – think Escape (Swift), Tribute (Auto-Trail), Carado (Hymer) and Sunlight (Dethleffs).

Sun Living is a similar concept, although there’s one significant change going forwards.

Different from other Adria motorhomes

For the past couple of years, a development team has been working separate from Adria on taking Sun Living forwards, the idea being that they approach the task with fresh eyes and innovative thinking.

The former yellow and white branding – not dissimilar to that of Tribute, in the opinion of some motorhome dealers, and therefore potentially confusing for buyers – makes way for blue and grey colourways, plus a new typeface.

The youthful look and feel isn’t accidental.

Adria is making a pitch for younger, active users who want sharp, cutting-edge designs and vehicles that can carry outdoor leisure kit, plus cope with the needs of a growing family.

The new Sun Living range

Sun Living’s 2018-season line-up comprises 10 models, split into V Series (two van conversions), S Series (six low-profiles) and A Series (two overcab coachbuilts).

All vehicles are based on the Fiat Ducato, and excepting the V 60SP, 2.3-litre 130bhp Euro 6 engines come as standard (the V 60SP has the 2.0-litre, 115bhp unit). At the international launch in Novo Mesto, we saw eight of the new models:

  • V 60SP (transverse rear bed, front half-dinette, two berths, four belts, 5.99m, 3300kg MTPLM);
  • V 65SL (rear parallel lounge/twin single beds, front half-dinette, two berths (four optional), four belts, 6.36m, 3500kg MTPLM);
  • S 65SL (fixed twin single beds, front half-dinette, two berths (four optional), four belts, 6.71m, 3500kg MTPLM);
  • S 70SC (rear island bed, front half-dinette, optional drop-down bed, three berths (four optional), five belts, 6.99m, 3500kg MTPLM);
  • S 70SP (transverse rear bed, front half-dinette, drop-down bed, four berths (six optional), five belts, 6.99m, 3500kg MTPLM);
  • S 75SL (fixed twin single beds, front half-dinette, drop-down bed, four berths (six optional), five belts, 7.39m, 3500kg MTPLM);
  • A 70DK (fixed rear bunks, full dinette, overcab double bed, seven berths, seven belts, 6.99m, 3500kg MTPLM);
  • A 75DP (transverse rear bed, full dinette, overcab double bed, six berths, six belts, 7.39m, 3500kg MTPLM).
       

The two models that weren’t displayed at the launch were the S 60SP (transverse rear bed, front half-dinette, two berths (three optional), four belts, 5.99m) and the S 70DF (rear French bed, full dinette, optional drop-down bed, four berths (six optional), six belts, 6.99m).

What else is new for 2018?

All 2018 model year Sun Living exteriors are finished in brilliant white, with grey and blue details.

Inside, the pleasing colour palette features light-toned cabinetwork, white walls and ceilings, and blue and grey ‘Mercurio’ soft furnishings.

Overhead lockers are faced in white, with the locking catches inside accessed through hand-sized apertures. It’s a practical touch that will please those who don’t like positive catches – and it looks good, too.

Coachbuilt models feature contemporary overcab mouldings with optional panoramic sunroofs, plus rear panels with automotive road lights.

Standing height inside the coachbuilts is a generous 2.1m, and selected models (S 60SP, S 65SL, S 70SP, A 70DK and A 75DP) sport a clever new feature: walk-through washrooms. Similar to those found in some van conversions, this innovation makes for enhanced sightlines inside the vehicles, helping to create an impressive feeling of space.

Equipment highlights in the S Series and A Series include combination oven and grills, and fridges ranging in size from 100 to 133 litres.

The V Series van conversions do without oven/grill units, instead offering two gas burners, plus 90-litre compressor fridges. Across the board, ambient LED lighting is fitted in addition to spotlights.

A stand-out feature of the V 65SL is an optional hammock bed, which slots in above the two rear berths (configurable as a double or twin singles). With a third berth available in the front dinette, this ups the bed count to a very respectable four.

Coachbuilt cab kit

As standard across the Sun Living coachbuilt line-up, the Fiat Ducato cabs are specified with DAB radios with Bluetooth and USB connectivity for smartphones and tablets.

All standard engine tunes can be upgraded as a cost option, to 130bhp for the V 60SP and 150bhp for all other models, and Fiat’s ComfortMatic transmission is available on both 130bhp and 150bhp engines. Further cost option upgrades include driver and safety aids ESP, traction control, hill descent control and a speed limiter.

Optional habitation upgrades include manually operated drop-down beds, on the S 70DF and S 70SC, a habitation door flyscreen, a wind-out canopy awning, a tow bar and hitch, rear parking sensors, a heated floor and waste-water tank, and ISOFIX child seat mountings. A UK-specific Comfort Pack will also be offered on all models.

The new-for-2018 Sun Living motorhomes look very sharp and are well put together. Popular floorplans feature and all vehicles can be driven by category B driving licence holders.

Prices are yet to be confirmed, so keep an eye on www.practicalmotorhome.com.