Hobby Siesta – Exclusive T650 FLC

LOOKS SENSATIONAL MOTORS MAJESTICALLY

Words and photos by John Page

Whether you name it Lowline or Profile the fact remains that this type of streamlined body is unsurpassed for performance and efficiency. It’s only logical after all that such a low drag shape will go easy on fuel burn, reduce noise level and contribute to stability. Yes, you may have guessed that, not only have I championed this type of body from the beginning, I was also instrumental in persuading one British manufacturer to build one for the first time. Strange but true.This particular handsome beauty was made available to us from enthusiastic Hobby specialists Dick Lane Motorhomes of Bradford. Their enthusiasm stems from the quality and reliability of every Hobby they have yet supplied since their appointment in 2008. How do you achieve such quality? The answer is relatively simple but does demand dedication. Use the best raw materials available – monitor continuously how the machine comes together and really check every single vehicle before releasing it to the retailer. Dick Lane tell us that their pre-delivery servicing of Hobby vehicles necessitates fewer man hours than any other brand they’ve handled during twenty-five years of retailing Motorhomes. Between rain showers we headed again to wonderful Strid Wood and the Caravan Club’s plateaued campsite a few minutes walk from the tumbling river Wharfe. Two up again though we were, as experienced parents and grandparents we are well able to assess all the potential of this four-berth Siesta T650 from Fockbek/Rendsburg in Northern Germany.

Construction

Cast your eyes on the stunning swept back shape and dramatic blue graphics of a shape fashioned by an obviously creative design team that have considered the shape from all sides. Stunning from whatever angle, to make many plain flat creations look positively antediluvian. The outer skin of this body is of aluminium bonded to the polystyrene insulation and plywood inner surfaces. 34mm thick walls and roof are linked to a floor with an impressive 120mm depth, through which the various water hoses are channelled. A tough plastic coating to the underside of the floor protects it from the weather and road dirt. By contemporary standards at 7.02m (23’) long our Siesta is a medium length machine designed to make a family of four comfortable whether rolling through the countryside or doing what comes naturally when the wheels stop turning. Totally integral when not in use the awning is part of the standard specification, as is the fresh water filter and heated waste water tank. The latter is switched from the control panel complete with indicator lamp. Furniture, including all lockers, doors and seat frames, is robust throughout and with simple but effective handles that incorporate a release to fall naturally under the fingers when grasped. Ingenious and always positive.
On the Road

A touch unusual is the Ford long wheelbase twin rear wheeled chassis cab, valued for its rugged stability and good traction on slippery surfaces. It is also rear wheel drive with a 3850kg maximum load capacity and generous 737kg payload. Triple leaf rear springing and massive Macpherson strut front suspension plus anti-roll bars at both ends give a stiff and predictable ride quality. Logically, it will be at its best when the full payload is being used.Ample power of 140bhp from just 2402cc of turbo diesel motor is on tap via the six-speed manual gearbox shifting with the customary Ford smoothness. Sat Nav and cruise control plus Blue Tooth are standard tackle as is the Blaupunkt Radio/CD with its ultra simple non-distracting control effective as ever. The dashboard also incorporates a credit card slot for use on the road tolls of Mainland Europe. In short nobody does cockpit ergonomics better than Ford. And if you want a real eye-opener, raise the bonnet and marvel at the placing of the in-line motor, the piping geometry and a rubber cam belt that drives camshaft, crankshaft, turbo charger, water pump, alternator and almost everything else that requires turning. All items that require regular attention are easy of access. Thick sound proofing for bulkhead and bonnet damps motor noise well and typically German is the provision of the first-aid kit, warning triangle and tyre repair kit. Our under bonnet shot give a fair idea of what goes on beneath.

Relax, Hobby has it sorted

When you get tired of gloating over that fabulous body, step inside to see how the living quarters have been planned and constructed.  Logic with flair describes it and all within a fairly modest dimension. It is fair to say that the actual configuration is conventional by contemporary standards but as ever it is the treatment of that concept that separates the refined from the mundane and Siesta has refinement in spades. Forwards, a brilliant floor plan has L-seating that converts for travel to a wonderfully firm forward facing twin-seat. And it is in this forward cab/lounge area that a second double bed can be made up by the simple expedient of lifting the table, removing the top half on the support leg and replacing it at the lower level to form part of this second double bed. For meal times or the TV sprawl four will sit comfortably around this more than generous size table that swings easily thought 360 degrees.  Congratulations to Hobby for the excellent soft yet resilient filling for all the cushions. Interesting that the wall and ceiling treatment is a soft acoustic material with a faux leather surface. It adds up to sound-proofing plus additional thermal insulation. Mosquito screens for the windows and the entrance door would have been used to effect had the weather turned sultry.
SleepingHistorically, I’ll admit to a certain lack of enthusiasm for fixed beds of this type but experience has taught me otherwise and this type does have a great deal going for it.Obviously, it’s ready for sleep or an after lunch nap at any old time. Sleeping tackle never has to be moved and when the sprung mattresses are as superbly comfortable as these were sleep comes easily. Why is the mattress in two parts? For the simple reason that, when lifting the nearer one for access to the basement or manhandling in any way, it all works smoothly. In that basement the Truma Combi heater is nicely accessible for service or adjustment in the front section, leaving bags of space for outdoor gear of all description plus the odd Barbie and picnic chairs. We liked the sliding concertina door for privacy and extra warmth, especially when I forgot to close roof vent in the lounge one evening. Nine hours uninterrupted shuteye says it all for the mattress, the roof lockers were plentiful and the spotlights well placed.  Both bedrooms had clear access to the washroom at any time.
Kitchen

Using our simple criteria of practicality, space and light this galley scores well. The angled unit and its worktop is an excellent plan to give the duty chef room to move and ample space to work on. Drawers and lockers, each had a particular function, be it cutlery, utensils, crocks or food stowage – all within comfortable arms reach. A pair of power sockets were tucked safely in the corner, the gas isolator taps instantly accessible and right opposite the 150-litre Dometic Fridge/freezer purred silently away. The oven atop the fridge is not ideal and for our cuisine style the three hobs were more than adequate to produce cooked meals once or twice a day.  Pasta, fish and vegetables are staple constituents but sausages are not unknown and fruit and yoghurt share the dessert list with a variety of cheeses. Particularly welcome was the in-line fresh water filter, saving the otherwise frequent filling of our own portable filter jug. No problems with water pressure either from one of the well-known SHURflo high-pressure pumps in the system. Checking water tank levels and battery conditions was via the ultra clear monitor panel that also includes isolator switching for the water pump, lighting, waste tank heating and the complete 12v system.
Washroom

Of rectangular shape with a curved, sliding door, the length comfortably includes the independent shower cubicle, neat sink vanity unit and Thetford’s newly refined state of the art cassette toilet. The latter now with ventilator and improved flushing cycle and on-wheels on-wheels portage to the emptying point. The grown up sink and decent surround, the shelves and lockers, plus the opaque window when the temperature climbs, all speak of design from practical experience by the design team. Mirrors on two sides are ideal and, UK constructors please note, a mains socket for all of us that use an electric shaver.
Stowage There’s no doubt that the area beneath the bed is a very convenient place for anything bulky such as climbing or walking gear, inflatable canoes, kites or anything else you don’t want to trip over upstairs. There are eleven roof lockers, illuminated glass racks and space under seats. A decent wardrobe and various niches in the cab completes the   better than capacious T650 stowing potential.
Summary

This Siesta is going to appeal to those who like their vehicles to look exciting, expect them to cruise at a respectable rate of knots or dawdle when the mood takes and achieve all this smoothly and tolerably quietly.  The awning is integral and the splendid looking wheel trims here are just one of the goodies from the Dick Lane options list. Our abiding impression of this Hobby Siesta is of a Motorhome constructed meticulously for ease in use and the owner’s pleasure. It isn’t cheap but it is value for money from a dealer that works hard to give good service to the customer. The Siesta niche in the market has several competitors, against which this Ford T650 is more than capable of holding its own.

TECHNICAL DATA

Vehicle specification: Hobby Siesta T650 FLC four-berth Lowline Motorhome

Price of vehicle tested:  £58,812 on the road, excluding wheel trims and bike rack.

Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by: Dick Lane Motorhomes, Dick Lane, Thornbury, Bradford, BD3 8QD. Tel: 01274 661441.

CONVERSION

Overall length: 7.02m

Overall width: 2.36m

Overall height: 2.84m

MPTLM: 3850kg

Payload: 737kg

Construction: Bonded construction of aluminium shell, plywood interior walls and polystyrene insulation

Fresh water capacity: 100-litres

Waste water capacity:  92-litres

Gas storage capacity: 2 x 11kg cylinders

Auxiliary battery: 80 Ah gel battery

Refrigerator:  Dometic 150-litres fridge/freezer

Water heater: Truma Combi 4 water and space heater with blown air

Lighting: Direct and indirect mix of spotlights and special fittings

Upholstery: Sydney tapestry fabric in blue and brown

Other equipment fitted: wheel trims, bike rack. awning

BASE VEHICLE

Type: Ford Transit long wheelbase chassis cab

Power unit: 2402cc Duratorq turbo diesel

Maximum power: 140bhp @ 3500rpm

Maximum torque: 375 Nm @ 2000 rpm

Transmission: six-speed manual to rear wheels

Steering: power assisted rack and pinion

Braking: Dual circuit to disc brakes with ABS, EBD and ESP

PERFORMANCE

Fuel consumption: 25mpg estimated

Maximum speed: 85mph estimated

Comfortable cruising speed: 60-70mph