Swift Sundance 630G (2007)
TESTING TIMES
Words and photos by John Page
This month we bring you a searching test of a two-year old Motorhome to illustrate that considering a good used vehicle could save you a meaningful amount of cash compared to a new purchase. This pristine example with a minimal mileage registered was for sale at £32,000. SMC of Newark was the helpful dealership that made the Sundance available to us from a selection that includes a variety of British and European Motorhomes at prices from around the £10,000 mark. Staying local, the Caravan Club’s tree lined Clumber Park campsite is always attractive in the spring and they managed to squeeze us in for a few days before the Bank Holiday contingent arrived. The place to be if you’re a bird watcher, with Jays, Mistle Thrushes, Tree Creepers and Yellowhammers flitting around.
Our own flying bird, the 630G is a no nonsense four-berth, family machine that can sleep, seat and dine all the crew comfortably and find space for all the clobber, food and possibly sports gear they would need for a week or two at a time. For the pair of us this is almost an embarrassment of riches but we bear it with fortitude in the interest of research. Outwardly the bulge over the cab gives it a pugnacious look that is softened by the superbly smooth curves that meet the cab and actually marry the slope of the bonnet to that top curve. An abundance of white paintwork admittedly but something to be grateful for in the hot sun when it reflects rather than absorbs the rays.
Construction
With heavy gauge aluminium side panels and the moulded sections of GRP it is a robust body resistant to scratches and relatively straightforward to repair for more serious knocks. High-density polystyrene insulation is used for the 32mm thickness roof and walls and Styrofoam is the insulator for the 46mm sandwich floor. No confusion with keys where one opens all doors and lockers except the cab, and the ignition key operates the remote locking and cab doors. At a convenient waist level the gas locker contains two 7kg cylinders feeding the fridge, cooker and. heating systems. Each of these appliances also has alternative electric power working from the mains supply. Two Heki roof lights and six opening windows, all fly-screened, supply plenty of ventilation throughout the length of the living quarters when the climate is favourable or for typical British spring and winter cool there is the option of gas or electric power to fuel the heating systems of convection or blown air operation. The 12-volt control panel, heater switches and thermostat are mounted above the entrance door where the buttons to operate the water pump, lights and tell tale gauges for batteries and water tank status are easily accessible though a trifle fussy to operate.
A look beneath the chassis shows the hefty extension that supports the rear of the body and the spare wheel slung between the waste tank and the rear axle. Just don’t have a puncture on a wet night in the Scottish Highlands. Emptying the waste tank is a simple matter with the well-engineered faucet accessible without getting your hands dirty. Fully appreciated was the smooth acting retracting double entrance step, the waste container attached to the door and the neat fly-screen for the entrance when it became warm enough to have the door wide open.
ON THE ROAD
In the past I have been known to decry what I considered to be the excessive height of the overcab bulge that contains the childrens’ double bedroom. Having now driven this example I’ll admit that the Swift treatment of the concept is as good as it gets in terms of the aerodynamics and it doesn’t look too bad either. Airflow noise and the feel of it in blustery weather is what it’s all about though and on both counts it performs well. Use caution with what you load onto the roof rack and into the garage however because a hang glider and a scooter would be over the top in terms of the weight distribution. The robust, stiff suspension calculated for the 4,000kg maximum all up weight is another plus towards the reassuring stable ride quality.
On power a measure of what is on tap from the 160bhp TD motor was an engine rpm figure of just 2,100rpm at 60mph and 2,500rpm at 70mph. Add this to the six-speed gearbox and you have the goods to deliver a smooth and potentially economical performance wherever you cruise. Fantastic radio reception from the Blue Spot Radio/CD and the four-speaker system and congratulations for the simple uncluttered control panel. Under the bonnet everything looked almost as new – and a careful check of the bodywork revealed no scratches or dents. There wasn’t the opportunity for a detailed fuel consumption check but previous experience with the 130bhp motor in similar bodied Motorhomes would suggest figures varying from 24 to 28mpg when driven with normal restraint. Rear passengers on the lap and diagonal belted twin seat would have the table close to keep them amused and good views of the countryside to right and left.
THE LIVING STYLE
The area between the cab and the steps for the rear bed measures 4.36m (14’4”) in length. Within that area the designers have created a stylish lounge/diner and adjacent kitchen in which a family of four can feel at ease with one another. The warmth of the furnishings and fabrics is a positive encouragement to unwind, forget the everyday round and learn to unwind into the camping mode. Watch the goggle box even, play a DVD – the necessary tackle to work these things is all available. At mealtimes four will have bags of room to wield the cutlery with style around the extended table and we enjoyed our evening meals with the main door open and the fly screen slid into place. It’s nothing less than justice that parents will claim the comfort of the reclining cab seats. For space and water heating the choice of gas or electric power is useful and both systems are part of the Truma boiler located close to the entrance door from where it is accessible for servicing.
Sleeping
Snug is the word for the permanent bed above the garage at the rear. No making up necessary at bedtime or for the siesta after a lunch in the sun. The 1.17m height of the mattress above floor level might be a problem for some but the ingenious steps and handrail make climbing aboard straightforward. Just remember to face the bed on your way up or down. On a slatted wooden sprung base the mattress is always aired and warmed from a duct below on the cold nights. The details of this bedroom including the spotlights to read by, the shelves and a small locker to either side of the headboard, are thoughtful touches and the approach to ventilation also takes account of the widely different conditions that all-year camping involves. Heating we’ve mentioned and ventilation in warm weather is handled by a Heki roof-light and windows at both ends of the bed fitted with blinds and fly-screens. Steps and a substantial hand rail is the way to the stars but do make your climb and descent facing towards the bed. The only inexplicable factor was a lighting circuit that linked both bedrooms and a light above the kitchen worktop.
On gas struts the Overcab bed is elevated for full cab headroom during the day – then lowered at bedtime before clipping the access ladder firmly into place. Even two lively youngsters will have bags of space up here within a bed length of 1.91m and width at 1.37m. To make sure no one falls out a strong mesh is clipped into place with quick release toggles similar to those used on rucksacks. Bedrooms fore and aft have privacy curtains and an unobstructed passage to the washroom.
THE GALLEY IN DETAIL
In terms of hardware this galley lacks for nothing. Sharp make the microwave, STOVES supply the combined gas/electric oven and hob and Dometic the 96-litre gas/12v/mains electric powered fridge-freezer. We appreciated the deep circular sink and its detachable drainer, the numerous shelves and roof locker space and useful extra prep space on the console top across the gangway. One would need to be cautious using the microwave at eye level and the gas isolator taps for the oven concealed at floor level were just a trifle inconvenient. A super oven and four-burner hob, in and on which rice, pasta and baked fish were on the menu as usual. Good spot-lighting here plus a strip-light directly above the worktop.
STOWAGE
I’ve spoken enthusiastically about the layout of the 630G because it is a genuinely practical family Motorhome for four, on the move, during the daytime and when sleeping. The stowage capacity overall is good even though the wardrobe itself is not large. And the single most helpful storage space is of course the garage to swallow any amount of gear, outdoor tackle and bikes. There’s also the built on awning that almost doubles the living space with its sidepieces added. The roof rack could be the place for surf boards and an inflatable dinghy. And last but not least are the lockers and door racks in the cab. And most important Swift has a total answer to the waste bin situation – a neat bag container attached to the entrance door.
SUMMARY
If we had known how enjoyable this test was going to be we might have brought along a couple of volunteer grandchildren to add their candid comments. Anyway, the capricious weather was kind enough to help with the photographs and everything worked as the manufacturer had originally intended. In fact, so relatively new is this vehicle that at the time of our test there was still another year of the Fiat warranty to run. On price at £32,000 there is a saving of rather more than £10,000 compared to its new price that included the alloy wheels, the full awning and the DVD/TV and rear view camera. That seems like pretty good value especially as the mileage covered to date is less than 3,000! Were there any problems? Purely a personal preference that we thought the dining table rather heavy to manhandle. Something that could be addressed by replacing it with a free standing type, which however would be somewhat wider than the standard one. Overall, a very good used example of the model type.
TECHNICAL DATA
Vehicle specification: Swift Sundance 630G,
four-berth Overcab Coachbuilt Motorhome
Price of vehicle tested: £32,000
Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by: SMC Motorhomes, Northern Road, Newark, Notts, NG24 2ET. Tel: 0844 4705 286 • www.smcmotorhomes.co.uk
CONVERSION
Overall length: 7.13m
Overall width: 2.24m
Overall height: 3.05m
MPTLM: 4,000kg
Payload: 760kg
Construction: heavy gauge aluminium sidewalls, GRP overcab moulding, polystyrene and Styrofoam insulation
Fresh water capacity: 90-litres
Waste water capacity: 68-litres
Gas storage capacity: 2 x 7kg cylinders
Auxiliary battery: 110Ah
Refrigerator: 96-litre Dometic fridge/freezer for gas/12v/240v
Water heater: Truma water and space heating, convection and blown air systems powered by gas or electric
Lighting: mix of spotlights and strip light fittings
Upholstery: Abstract pattern tapestry fabric in brown and beige
Other equipment fitted: alloy wheels, full roll out awning and DVD player
BASE VEHICLE
Type: Fiat 3.80m wheelbase chassis cab
Power unit: 2.3-litre, 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: ABS brakes with EBD
PERFORMANCE
Fuel consumption: estimated 24mpg
Maximum speed: estimated 80mph
Comfortable cruising speed: 65-70mph
