THIS ONE HITS THE HIGH NOTES

Words and photos by John Page

Ever since 1987 Murvi have had an original slant on the business of designing Campers. A completely new design in 2008, Piccolo takes advantage of the latest technology with regard to the Fiat Ducato base vehicle and the interior services. There is an interesting reason behind the emergence of Piccolo, to do with the chassis maker’s increase in the size of their long wheelbase vehicle on which the hugely popular Morello is built. Piccolo is a pert 5.41m able to squeeze into spaces others might find difficult. Its secret is the ingenuity of the lounge/diner area with two alternative sitting or dining places and the possibilities as a people carrier for four. The appearance and the feel is spacious and relaxing, so we had looked forward to the this test for some while ever since it walked away with best Camper in the Motorcaravan of The Year Awards at Stratford in June 2008.

Construction

Based on the medium wheelbase Fiat Ducato high-top light commercial machine, it has the 2.3 litre Multijet (120bhp) turbo diesel motor, six-speed gearbox; ABS braking and power assisted steering. Fiat also makes the superbly shaped swivelling cab seats with lumbar support and adjustment for reach, height and backrest angle. If you include the height adjusting steering wheel in the equation there is no excuse for not sitting comfortably be you long, short, thin or portly. Wide cab doors are something one tends to take for granted, just like the remote locking in two segments for cab and the habitation section. For ventilation there is the large Heki three for the lounge, the two-speed, two-way fan to do the business in the galley and a third also complete with blind and fly-screen in the washroom.

Versatility in all seasons is something MURVI are serious about so our test in a distinctly cool November period was ideal. Heating of the vehicle and the water is from a Webasto diesel fuelled 6kw combined system that also includes alternative electric mains power. It is a superbly efficient piece of kit that can be accurately adjusted to your ideal temperature. It is also practical to use on the move in really cold conditions when the cab heater output may be inadequate due to the volume of cold air in the living quarters. However double-glazed acrylic windows do make their contribution whether mobile or stationary. Camping out of season with no mains electric supply, the twin 110AH auxiliary deep cycle batteries, diesel heating and fixed LPG tank for cooking and fridge power will undoubtedly guarantee a continuance of gracious living without the slightest hint of roughing it.

ON THE ROAD

Although it is now a year or two since the current Fiat made its bow I am still as excited about it for its exceptional road holding, the ergonomics that keep the driver alert but calm and the performance. Merged with this noiseless Murvi conversion the resulting package is not only as good as many saloon cars, in some respects it is superior. A better view of the road from a higher viewpoint for example – a picnic vehicle par excellence, an occasional cargo carrier – these are a few of my favourite things not forgetting, of course, holiday transport any time anywhere.

How does it go? Not like the proverbial scalded cat but with enough brisk acceleration when you need it joining a trunk road or motorway. Such times when the wide-angle section of those chunky mirrors also come in really useful. Our base this time was the adult only Moor Park site near Modbury in South Devon reached via the A38 and a series of narrow roads along which the Devonians hurtle at speeds that don’t allow for a Camper coming the other way. Obviously the onus is on immigrants from the Midlands to give way. Our precautionary technique, developed with considerable skill, was to travel with the nearside mirror assembly continuously brushing the undergrowth to a depth of approximately six centimetres. That way you have an audible assurance that all is well, quotable in the event of a coming together.

I jest partly, as we not only avoided any incident that might have made the headlines but were confident that our ABS equipped Fiat would stop faster that any vehicle coming the other way.

As for the serious business of A-road cruising, this Fiat based Murvi road machine has all the ingredients to make the going great. Briefly, that is the low noise on decent roads, precise steering with feel, and stability “as on rails” when cornered with a little verve. And so if you’re in hurry or driving Piccolo as Campers were intended to be driven whilst enjoying the unfolding scenery, you might even complain at the lack of excitement from this impeccable machine. If on the other hand you should toy with the idea of an ultimate test, then try a jaunt via the M5, M42, M6 and MI on a rainy winter evening amidst a phalanx of large artics moving fast and generating literally tons of spray from 16 rather large wheels. Yes, Piccolo is a very special performer on any surface from rutted track to the smoothest tarmac.

ROUGHING IT GENTLY

Enter the living quarters through the sliding door then press the right button for an electric step that is sensibly wide and deep, much appreciated when you’ve an armful of grocery supplies for the next six days. More buttons on the door pillar operate twin pairs of spotlights immediately inside the sliding door and under the cab roof. In all a total of seven spotlights and five strip lights, all LED, make for good illumination throughout with minimum heat generation low consumption and presumably long life as a concomitant. Having swivelled the cab seats they metamorphose into a pair of armchairs on a slightly raised floor level with a deeply comfortable twin seat facing forward. There is a choice of tables – either the smallish square one firmly supported between the recliners or a long rectangular one with a folding leg that clips easily but firmly against the off side wall close to the twin seat. Main meals are best on this table – perhaps with light bites on the small table while watching the goggle box. We had the optional built in 19” CTV with ID and Aerial package for £695. Leaving the set to search it came up with a choice of 129 transmissions! If you are so inclined this was TV watching at its best.

SLEEPING

Historically to achieve dual-purpose seats that also made into a comfortable bed was difficult and the eventual compromise reached involved a good deal of pushing and shoving before the bed was made. The Piccolo bed however is an example of how things have dramatically changed. The engineering of it and the shape and filling of the cushions achieves not only a brilliantly comfortable bed but also a twin seat with a squab and backrest fully adjustable to get the right angles for sitting around and at mealtimes. Daytime to bedtime is simplicity by moving the horizontal cushion forward through 180o, then bringing the backrest down to fill the gap. The third cushion in situ completes a double bed with a length of 1.90m (6’3”) and maximum width at 1.21m (4.0’). During the day the ideal spot to stash the duvet etc is behind the seat backrest beneath the wardrobe. And while it’s unusual to have a wardrobe in suspension, it’s well placed and capacious. Mounted to it are: the flat screen TV, the heater programme switches and 12v control and monitor panel. Quite the most effective cab blinds seen so far were the pleated ones for the windscreen and side windows.

KITCHEN

With the one proviso that the high position of the (optional) microwave above the hob could be a problem, this galley was exceedingly well planned in the typical MURVI manner. Ample workspace and a proper size sink and drainer have been the priorities to which Murvi add helpful drying racks. A four place melamine set of crockery is supplied in a custom made rack that keeps things quiet. Roof lockers and decent size cupboards at floor level were more than adequate for all the food and machinery we take along. A space saving cutlery drawer slides out from under one of the shelves and the kitchen roll holder suspended under a roof locker also economises on space. These and the extractor type roof vent above the sort of details that set MURVI apart. Good lighting of course and the reassurance of a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguisher close to the nearside cab door are important details. The optional 97-litre fridge, four-burner hob and grill option package fitted to our vehicle is good value at £100.

WASHROOM

Camper washrooms vary tremendously depending on what degree of priority a manufacturer apportions to the smallest room. Obviously MURVI apply the same degree of importance to the washroom as the other departments so it has a vanity unit that wouldn’t disgrace a small apartment with ample locker space for all your tackle and a separate faucet for the shower. On the basis that Thetford’s new toilet is substantially bigger than its predecessor, Murvi have opted to stay with the one that is just the right size for this washroom. From outside should you need to give the dog or your mountain bike a hose down, the offside rear door gives useful access. Clever too is the special opaque window on this door for complete privacy that is part of the overall design appearance.

STOWAGE

The logical place to stow the sleeping tackle is behind the twin seat from whence it is instantly to hand. Alternatively you could cram it into the cavity above the cab – a space better used to stash photographic gear etc that’s best kept hidden. Under the twin seat there is space enough for boots and outdoor gear, leaving a pair of roof lockers for clothes that are best left folded. Both tables stow neatly although you’ll need to get the knack of how to get at the long table easily from the wardrobe when it’s chock full of walking gear and coats. Overall, when you add the numerous nooks in the cab, Piccolo has a satisfactory volume of space to tuck away all the gear you might need unless the plan was for something trans-continental.

SUMMARY

What are the reasons for the Murvi success? Fairly simple really; they don’t have to put their ideas to a committee – the layouts and design are dictated by practical commonsense and, while price is very important, getting it right is of equal importance. And it is those things that consistently bring in the customers even in the hard times when we are all watching the pennies. For us living and working with Piccolo for a short while was a pleasure. And lastly the price, as standard with 2.3-litre, 120bhp motor £38,817 or, as tested including the TV with aerial, the metallic paint, microwave oven, 97-litre fridge and the Seitz cab blinds £40,737.55.

TECHNICAL DATA

Vehicle specification: Murvi Piccolo two-berth Camper

Price of vehicle tested: £40,737,55. Standard spec’ £38,817

Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by: Murvi Motorcaravans Ltd, 4 East Way, Lee Mill Industrial Estate, Ivybridge, Devon, PL21 9GE, Tel: 01752 892200

CONVERSION

Overall length: 5.41m

Overall width: 2.05m

Overall height: 2.54m

MPTLM: 3300kg

PAYLOAD: 300kg

Construction: High-top all-steel panel van with insulated walls and roof

Fresh water capacity: 72-litres

Waste water capacity: 45-litres

Gas storage capacity: Underfloor 9.5kg tank

Auxiliary battery: two 110Ah

Refrigerator: Dometic 97-litre fridge/freezer

Water and space heater: Webasto diesel fuelled programmable heater

Lighting: mix of twelve LED spotlights and strip lights

Upholstery: powder blue mesh pattern fabric

Other equipment fitted: metallic paint, directional aerial, 19” flat screen TV, 240v microwave oven, optional 97l fridge, 4-burner hob and grill, Sietz cab blinds

BASE VEHICLE

Type: Fiat Ducato MWB light commercial panel van

Power unit: 2.3-litre, 120bhp turbo diesel motor

Maximum power: 120bhp @ 3600rpm

Maximum Torque: 320Nm @ 2000rpm

Transmission: six-speed manual to front wheels

Steering: power assisted rack and pinion

Braking system:  dual circuit system with ABS to four wheels

PERFORMANCE

Fuel consumption: 28mpg estimated

Maximum speed: 90mph estimated

Comfortable cruising speed: 65-70mph