SWIFT BOLERO 630EW

EURO FIGHTER II THROWS DOWN THE GAUNTLET

Words and photos by John Page

The European market for motorhomes has never been busier or more exciting than it is now. Healthy competition across our Continent gives great value for the buyers and makers from Germany, France, Italy and Slovenia have not been slow to embed on our sacred turf.  Swift, with their brand new motorhome plant opened last year and a whole new exciting line-up for 2007 have risen to the challenge. The four Boleros in particular epitomise the Swift approach. They look fantastic, perform well and won’t break the bank. The four different floor plans cover the field well and my preference for the 630 EW is to do with the way its layout makes the best use of the available space in what is a relatively compact 6.54m overall length. Without compromise the washroom is a delight, one can operate the galley without interference and the lounge/sleeper area is a veritable hassle-free zone. The body shape merges superbly with Fiat’s unconventional cab and the aerodynamics of it is almost certain to keep the fuel bills reasonable. The Caravan Club’s Losehill site has a wonderful high peak backdrop, and so we pointed the bonnet west and hoped the rain would give us a break. It did when the wind increased to force eight.

Construction

Using a long wheelbase Low Line Fiat chassis cab as the basis on which Swift mount their bonded aluminium clad bodywork carries advantages of a low overall height and short rear overhang. Both are factors that contribute to ride quality and good handling. An insulated sandwich floor thickness of 70mm plus roof and walls of 34mm help to create a structure of considerable rigidity, integral with the steel bodied cab. The rear end cap and front section above the cab are of GRP. At the rear a steel sub frame is fitted by Swift to gain the best possible support for that section of the body that extends beyond the basic Fiat structure as well as providing the framework for the attachment of an optional towbar. Cladding for the roof is of GRP. Roof rails are standard but cross bars and an access ladder are among the factory fitted options. On the nearside an outdoor access locker to the right of the door will be useful for boots etc, then forward a large indoor/outdoor access locker will accommodate all manner of outdoor gear plus levelling ramps, mains electric cable and the standard flexible pipe for the emptying of the waste water tank. Inside, above the entrance door is the 12volt control and monitor panel, thermostat and control knobs for gas or electric power to the Truma Combi space/water heater. Excessive sophistication of the control panel and its various dual purpose buttons doesn’t qualify as hassle free.

On the Road

Look beneath the chassis and you won’t find anything remarkable although the hefty anti-roll bars front and rear and the massive wishbone anchoring the front suspension unit to the chassis are crucial components in achieving the stiff and precise road holding that makes the machine such a joy to drive. There’s also the spare wheel in the centre of the chassis that might be a bit of a pain to retrieve. Climb into the cab and you will be impressed by the degree of all round visibility from the deep windscreen and large mirrors with their built in direction indicator repeaters. A telescopic rather than tilt steering wheel and positive seat angle adjusters are a help towards sitting just so. The Blaupunkt Radio/CD was fine via a good four-speaker system but the attached GPS remained unused. A pity that Fiat have opted for the complicated electronic display to tell you when it’s due for service and a host of other things you really don’t need, as well as creating extra distraction. Thank goodness they have retained a temperature guage.

Leaving aside the LCD display the all else about the dashboard, its controls, switches, climate control and amazing profusion of storage compartments are absolutely brilliant. Twin halogen lights for map reading at night also form part of the overall illumination for the lounge area. Six manual speeds coupled to 320 Nm of torque are the means to getting the very best from the motor in terms of economy, performance and low noise and it was surprising how quickly you adapt to using all six ratios. If you’ve yet to drive one of these X2/50 machines then you will be in for a surprise – it is light years ahead of its predecessor in every respect, calculated to reduce the stress whether in town or heading out for a long drive to the sun. I do have one strong criticism though, the incongruity of the lack of a passenger airbag when set against the plethora of in-car entertainment. Nor is it listed as an option.

The Lifestyle Formula

We are on site surrounded by Dark Peak country and the sun shines brilliantly for a while. Time to take stock when everything has stowed away nicely and the floor plan of lounge/diner cum sleeping compartment looks good. Turning the cab seats without need to open the cab doors and we flood the interior with sunlight having opened blinds on the sun roof and the three Heki roof lights. All credit to Blaupunkt technology the radio sorted itself to give us the High Peak station in addition to BBC’s 2, 3 and 4. Plenty big enough for our first snack lunch the swivel table swings away neatly afterwards or detaches completely when it’s not needed. By contrast the main four place table is an unnecessarily heavyweight affair that is awkward to stow.

Relaxed, the cab seats or sprawler seats are both comfy and supportive while we pore over the maker’s handbook and what it says about the control panel. The latter one of those wonderful affairs that seeks to tell all – to apply automatic functions where it isn’t needed and finishes up causing frustration. It was possible to sort it but keeping it simple would be preferable. Treating the heater controls in purely manual mode was our preferred option. Thoughtfully placed lighting from a mix of sixteen halogen spotlights and strip lights was totally effective throughout the interior, including one close to the control box and an awning light. Wall brackets and connections for an optional flat screen TV are neatly were sensibly placed in what could be termed the hall space although someone had forgotten to include the actual set. No matter, Sound quality from Acker Bilk’s clarinet through the superb roof fitted speakers was compensation enough.

Sleeping

No fixed beds whether transverse or lengthwise arranged will compare with the ease of actually preparing for bed made possible by this full vehicle with 2.11m long by 1.37m wide double. Yes, there are a couple of minutes necessary to pull out the bed bases to meet together and slot the backrests into the gap between the side cushions. You can’t get it wrong, the framework and its slatted beech base stays firm and the result will certainly be a good night’s sleep. Were the weather even more inclement than we had, the heater on low only whispers so it ought not to disturb you even though it is under the offside seat base. Pleated blinds for cab door windows and the windscreen slide easily and make contact magnetically. In spite of much rain there was very little condensation on the inside of the windscreen in the mornings.

Kitchen

Storage capacity in this department is very good indeed – with 180-litres of intelligently planned fridge space, six variable size lockers and a three layered rotating unit for all sorts of meal making hardware. Crockery racks behind the bowed front roof locker and above the fridge are a touch awkward if you’re of just average height and conversely for access to the gas isolator taps tucked up in a locker space below the oven you’ll need to kneel low or lie prone. To gain maximum worktop space the removable draining board needs to be stowed away, the sink top in place and glass hob top lowered. Actually, it all works rather well and the mains socket occupies a tolerably safe position against the wall at back of the sink. Praise for ‘Stoves’ hob, grill and oven combination with three variable diameter hob burners and one electric plate, also for ease of lighting the oven. On its lowest setting the auto power sourcing fridge at waist height worked perfectly and did not freeze the butter solid overnight. Excellent lighting from a long striplight directly over the workspace and a pair in front of the roof lockers.  If you too camp out of season do order the optional extractor fan to clear the steam without opening the roof light.

Washroom

A better class of washroom altogether, planned to improve the quality of camping life on or off site. And, in spite of the luxury, with careful use over nearly four days we used less than 60% of the fresh water tank capacity. Drinking water we keep separate. Space has been the designer’s priority, followed by detailed design that includes the big wardrobe with three large lockers along side and a further unit of wire baskets for shoes etcetera. Low in the wardrobe the mains trip switches is easy of access. Within a useful surround for bathroom tackle the good size sink unit has locker space for linen, backed by a house size wall unit for the tubes, jars, packets and first aid gear we think we need. Those who would linger here will not be disappointed – it’s a changing room, washroom, shower cubicle and loo wherein each piece of equipment has its own space.

Stowage

Combined interior/exterior locker space, cupboards in every possible corner and a cab with places for everything ever needed during transit. Bolero 630 EW is an Aladdin’s cave of nooks and crannies so don’t even think of adding a roof box to spoil the immaculate lines of this elegant looking Low Profile motorhome. However, for microlight pilots, go-karters or similar, Swift list a detachable towbar conforming to regulations.

Summary

We were impressed with Bolero 630 EW at first sight back in September 2006 at the Donnington Park launch. Reality testing over four days in atrocious weather has cemented our liking for the concept. It is easy to live with in spite of the occasional niggle – warm, comfortable and well lit by day and night. Driving is a quiet and sometimes zestful experience from the smooth delivery of power and only minimal noises off. Fuel consumption at an estimated 23mpg was disappointing although new diesel engines seldom give of their best and no doubt there will be a progressive improvement. Fiat lists a maximum speed of 87mph, which I’ve no way of corroborating but it is certainly lively and where such speed is legal it will prove to eat up the miles when needed. To date it is the best looking and most aerodynamic British made Low profile Motorhome, at a price that puts it squarely among the most hotly contested sector of the market. Based on specification and practicality it should give our European cousins pause for thought.

Vehicle Data

Vehicle specification: Swift Bolero 630 EW two-berth Low profile Motorhome

Price of vehicle tested: £40,160 incl Vogue pack of extras.

Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by: Swift Motorhomes, Dunswell Road, Cottingham, East Yorkshire, HU16 4JX. Tel: 01482 847332

Conversion

Overall length: 4.04m

Overall width: 2.35m mirrors folded

Overall height: 2.79m incl TV aerial

MTPLM: 3500kg

Payload: 535kg

Construction: Bonded construction with heavy guage aluminium side panels and foam insulation

Fresh water capacity: 90-litre insulated external tank

Waste water capacity: 63-litre tank

Gas storage: two x 7kg cylinders

Auxiliary battery: 110ah

Refrigerator: Thetford 180-litre auto sourcing fridge/freezer

Water heating and space heating: Truma gas/electric Combi boiler with blown air system

Lighting: eclectic practical mix of halogen and fluorescent fittings

Upholstery: Bolero Biege

Other equipment fitted: Vogue pack including: recessed awning, Blaupunkt sat nav, Radio CD/MP3 with DVD, 7” fold down colour screen in cab, reversing camera, Freeview digital TV tuner with remote

Base Vehicle

Type: Fiat X2/50 LWB low line chassis cab

Power unit: 2287cc 130 Multijet turbo diesel

Maximum power: 130bhp @ 3600rpm

Maximum torque: 320Nm @ 2000rpm

Transmission: six-speed manual to front wheels

Steering: power assisted rack and pinion

Braking system: 4-wheel disc system with ABS and electric brake force distributor

Performance

Fuel consumption: 28mpg estimated

Maximum speed: 87mph Fiat quoted

Comfortable cruising speed: 65mph