It was beneath the warmth of the French summer sun during the recent pan-European heatwave that Rapido launched its 2018 models, near the brand’s Mayenne HQ.

The event came off the back of a successful season for the manufacturer – particularly in the UK – and Rapido will take on the new model year with an exciting line-up of models, its 35th since it began.

The company also launched new models under its Itineo and Dreamer sub-brands.

The headlines

Perhaps the most notable change for 2018 is the reduction in the number of Rapido models overall, and a slimming-down of ranges to make the brand’s offerings easier to understand.

Gone is last year’s FF moniker: all coachbuilts are now named either F or dF. The 90 and 10 series of A-class models have also been renamed or deleted, as has the Design Edition badge.

All low-profiles are now named 6F (for Fiat-based models) or 70F (Fiat Al-Ko), while A-classes are either 8F (Fiat), 80dF (Fiat Al-Ko with double floor), or i (Fiat Al-Ko with double floor).

Despite this streamlining, there are a total of 15 new models across the Rapido brand for the 2018 season. The most exciting for the UK market is the 8094dF, a new A-class with two lounges.

Last year, the manufacturer launched two ‘55 Edition’ models to celebrate its 55th anniversary: a number of models this year benefit from some of the most popular features of the pair.

The changes

First up, the low-profile models: as well as a refreshed exterior look featuring a revised overcab area, new graphics, and white skirts and bumpers, six new or renamed models have been introduced, taking the total number of low-profiles available up to 10.

All these Rapido motorhomes feature an optional electric drop-down bed – except the 604F, where it comes as standard.

In the 6F series, the 655F is a new addition: it features fixed twin beds and a spacious front lounge.

Next is the four-berth 665F, which also has fixed twin beds, but adds a transverse rear washroom, an increasingly popular floorplan in the UK.

The twin-single-bed 666F is carried over from the previous season, but now features a revised washroom and a revamped lounge.

The 680F gets a larger kitchen than before. The UK-friendly front-lounge 604FF model, introduced last year, remains for this season, albeit renamed as the 604F.

The 70F series is now made up of two models: the 7065F – brought over from last year’s 70FF stable – and the 7090FF. The latter is a spacious island-bed five-berth.

18 for 2018!

In the A-class line-up, there are 18 models for 2018, nine of which are new, renamed or refreshed.

The most interesting for UK purchasers is the 8094dF: it features a pair of comfortable lounges – one at the front and one at the rear – which can in total seat up to 10 occupants.

A Symphony and Cinema Pack is also available, featuring a home cinema system and speakers to really ramp up the home-from-home comforts.

Other new or refreshed A-class Rapido motorhomes include the 883F (now with a larger transverse bed), the island-bed 896F, the rear-washroom 8065dF and the fixed-twin-bed 8066dF.

Moving into the new Distinction series – the flagship A-class line-up – you’ll find four layouts, including the island-bed i96 and i190 models, as well as the end-washroom i165.

The Van line-up from last year – featuring the transverse-bed V43 and V55, and twin-single-bed V68 – remains largely unchanged, but gets a new exterior design.

Itineo

Itineo is a subsidiary of Rapido, and offers well-priced A-classes – this year there are 10 models to choose from.

Last year’s TB700 and CB740 have both been deleted. In comes the sub-seven-metre SLB700, a family-friendly floorplan featuring bunk beds, a spacious lounge and a rear-corner dinette.

The Kiddy-Neo pack comes with this model: it adds a colourful, child-friendly rug, blackboard, chalk, board games and more.

This year a new Doggy-Neo pack is also available across the Itineo range, and includes a leakproof water and food bowl, as well as a dog bed.

Dreamer

The Dreamer range – formerly known as Campérêve – is made up of 10 van conversions for 2018, three of which are new.

It’s the 5.34m, Ford Custom-based Cap Fun that first caught our eye: it features four berths, a 51-litre fridge, a rising roof, a good-sized dinette table and masses of storage.

The two other new models in the Dreamer range are in the Select line-up: they are the 5.99m Fiat Ducato-based D50, with a trio of sleeping options, and the 4.97m Ford Custom-based Cap Coast. The latter has four seats, but six can be fitted, making it ideal as a daily driver.

In other news

In addition to the changes above, a trio of models feature in Rapido’s new Premium Edition: it’s made up of the 696F, the 8096dF and the i96.

These receive the best of the previous year’s anniversary models, including Truma’s iNet system, a plexiglass-covered Skylight in the lounge, the attractive ‘Paris’ cream-leather upholstery, 16-inch aluminium wheels and more.

The A-class models also get a new external design this year, receiving a refreshed front featuring LED running lights, and white skirts and bumpers.

The low-profiles, meanwhile, have a more attractive overcab area that allows for greater practicality inside.

Other interior improvements include more sociable lounges (featuring modular face-to-face seating), back-lit furniture, greater space under the low profiles’ drop-down beds, and new upholstery fabrics – the latter includes pink (Vérone) and blue (Ushuaïa) options.

Numerous models also get a wider, 540mm accommodation-area door, while the i165 and i190 models receive a 625mm version.

All models, apart from the Van series, receive a skylight featuring a drop-down clothes-drying rack over the shower.

Meanwhile, the A-classes get Rapido’s Novabox system, which allows easy access to all of the ’van’s technical equipment controls.

2018 Rapido motorhomes at a glance

Rapido

Van conversions:

  • Rapido V43 – 5.41m, Fiat Ducato, 2.3-litre engine, 3500kg MTPLM, 3 berths, 4 belted seats, rear transverse bed
  • Rapido V55 – 5.99m, Fiat Ducato, 2.3-litre engine, 3500kg MTPLM, 3 berths, 4 belted seats, rear transverse bed
  • Rapido V68 – 6.36m, Fiat Ducato, 2.3-litre engine, 3500kg MTPLM, 3 berths, 4 belted seats, rear fixed twin beds
      

Low profiles:

  • Rapido 604F – 5.99m, Fiat Ducato with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650kg MTPLM, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, front lounge and rear-corner kitchen
  • Rapido 650F – 6.64m, Fiat Ducato with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650kg MTPLM, 3/5 berths*, 5 belted seats, island bed
  • Rapido 655F – 6.94m, Fiat Ducato with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650kg MTPLM, 3/5 berths*, 4 belted seats, rear fixed twin beds
  • Rapido 665F – 7.49m, Fiat Ducato with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650/4400kg MTPLM, four berths, four belted seats, rear washroom and fixed twin beds
  • Rapido 666F – 7.49m, Fiat Ducato with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650/4400kg MTPLM, 3/4 berths*, 4 belted seats, rear fixed twin beds
  • Rapido 680F – 7.04m, Fiat Ducato with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650/4400kg MTPLM, 3/4 berths*, 4 belted seats, island bed
  • Rapido 690F – 7.49m, Fiat Ducato with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650/4400kg MTPLM, 3/4 berths*, 4 belted seats, island bed
  • Rapido 696F – 7.49m, Fiat Ducato with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650/4400kg MTPLM, 3/4 berths*, 4 belted seats, island bed
  • Rapido 7065F – 7.79m, Fiat Al-Ko with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3700/4400kg MTPLM, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, rear washroom and fixed twin beds
  • Rapido 7096F – 7.79m, Fiat Al-Ko with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3700/4400kg MTPLM, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, island bed

*Depending on whether drop-down bed is specified

A-classes:

  • Rapido 803F – 5.94m, Fiat chassis with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650kg MTPLM, 2/4 berths*, 4 belted seats, rear transverse fixed bed
  • Rapido 850F – 6.64m, Fiat chassis with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650kg MTPLM, 3/5 berths*, 5 belted seats, island bed
  • Rapido 855F – 6.94m, Fiat chassis with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650/4400kg MTPLM, 3/4 berths*, 4 belted seats, rear fixed twin beds
  • Rapido 866F – 7.34m, Fiat chassis with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650/4400kg MTPLM, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, rear fixed twin beds
  • Rapido 880F – 6.94m, Fiat chassis with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650/4400kg MTPLM, 3/4 berths*, 4 belted seats, island bed
  • Rapido 883F – 6.99m, Fiat chassis with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650/4400kg MTPLM, 3/4 berths*, 4 belted seats, rear transverse fixed bed
  • Rapido 890F – 7.34m, Fiat chassis with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650/4400kg MTPLM, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, island bed
  • Rapido 896F – 7.49m, Fiat chassis with extra wide rear track, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3650/4400kg MTPLM, 3/4 berths*, 4 belted seats, island bed
  • Rapido 8065dF – 7.49m, Fiat Al-Ko chassis with extra wide rear track and double floor, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3700/4400kg MTPLM, 3/4 berths*, 4 belted seats, rear washroom and fixed twin single beds
  • Rapido 8066dF – 7.49m, Fiat Al-Ko chassis with extra wide rear track and double floor, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3700/4400kg MTPLM, 3/4 berths*, 4 belted seats, rear fixed twin single beds
  • Rapido 8080dF – 6.94m, Fiat Al-Ko chassis with extra wide rear track and double floor, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3700/4400kg MTPLM, 3/4 berths*, 4 belted seats, island bed
  • Rapido 890dF – 7.34m, Fiat Al-Ko chassis with extra wide rear track and double floor, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3700/4400kg MTPLM, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, island bed
  • Rapido 8094dF – 7.49m, Fiat Al-Ko chassis with extra wide rear track and double floor, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3700/4400kg MTPLM, 3/4 berths*, 4 belted seats, front and rear lounges
  • Rapido 8096dF – 7.49m, Fiat Al-Ko chassis with extra wide rear track and double floor, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3700/4400kg MTPLM, 3/4 berths*, 4 belted seats, island bed
  • Rapido i66 – 7.54m, Fiat Al-Ko chassis with extra wide rear track and double floor, 2.3-litre engine, 3700/4400kg MTPLM, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, rear fixed twin single beds
  • Rapido i96 – 7.54m, Fiat Al-Ko chassis with extra wide rear track and double floor, 2.3-litre engine, 3500/3700/4400kg MTPLM, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, island bed
  • Rapido i165 – 7.99m, Fiat Al-Ko chassis with extra wide rear track and double floor, 2.3-litre engine, 4400kg MTPLM, 6 berths, 5 belted seats, rear washroom and twin fixed single beds
  • Rapido i190 – 7.99m, Fiat Al-Ko chassis with extra wide rear track and double floor, 2.3-litre engine, 4400kg MTPLM, 6 berths, 5 belted seats, island bed

*Depending on whether drop-down bed is specified

Itineo

A-classes:

  • Itineo FB650 – 6.55m, Fiat chassis, 2.3-litre engine, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, front lounge and rear storage
  • Itineo MC740 – 7.43m, Fiat chassis, 2.3-litre engine, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, island bed
  • Itineo MB700 – 6.99m, Fiat chassis, 2.3-litre engine, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, island bed
  • Itineo MB740 – 7.43m, Fiat chassis, 2.3-litre engine, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, island bed
  • Itineo MJB740 – 7.43m, Fiat chassis, 2.3-litre engine, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, rear twin beds or island bed
  • Itineo JB700 – 6.99m, Fiat chassis, 2.3-litre engine, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, fixed twin single beds
  • Itineo DB740 – 7.43m, Fiat chassis, 2.3-litre engine, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, rear washroom
  • Itineo SB700 – 6.99m, Fiat chassis, 2.3-litre engine, 6 berths, 6 belted seats, rear bunks
  • Itineo SLB700 – 6.99m, Fiat chassis, 2.3-litre engine, 5 berths, 4 belted seats, rear-corner bunks, rear-corner dinette
  • Itineo SB740 – 7.43m, Fiat chassis, 2.3-litre engine, 7 berths, 5 belted seats, rear bunks
      

Dreamer

Van conversions:

  • Dreamer Cap Fun – 5.34m, Ford Custom, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, side dinette and roof bed
  • Dreamer D42 – 5.41m, Fiat Ducato, 2 berths, 4 belted seats, rear-corner fixed bed
  • Dreamer D43 – 5.41m, Fiat Ducato, 2 berths, 4 belted seats, rear transverse fixed bed
  • Dreamer D53 – 5.99m, Fiat Ducato, 4 berths, 4 belted seats, rear double bunks
  • Dreamer D55 – 5.99m, Fiat Ducato, 3 berths, 4 belted seats, rear transverse fixed bed
  • Dreamer D58 – 5.99m, Fiat Ducato, 2 berths, 4 belted seats, rear fixed twin beds
  • Dreamer Cap Coast – 4.97m, Ford Custom, 4 berths, 4 belted seats (option of 6), side kitchen, central dining table
  • Dreamer D50 Select – 5.99m, Fiat Ducato, 3 berths, 4 belted seats, rear fixed double
  • Dreamer D55 Select – 5.99m, Fiat Ducato, 3 berths, 4 belted seats, rear transverse fixed double
  • Dreamer Family Van – 5.99m, Fiat Ducato, 5 berths, 4 belted seats, rear bunks and drop-down lounge bed