Following on from the delivery delays thread started by dash300 I said I would do a review of my new arrival in a separate thread and highlight some of the latest changes, so here goes.
We collected our new 22 model Adria Twin Supreme 640 SLB a week last Monday, Britains hottest day on record, from the dealer, Peter Roberts Caravans & Motorhomes of Huddersfield. HERE I must say as a new customer to this dealer I have been impressed with their attitude to customer service since day one back in March 2021 and Andy Roberts, in particular, has helped us through the challenging and disappointing times the delays have brought us. Especially since we sold our old Bessacarr in March 2021 too before ordering this one.
The van finally arrived in the metallic silver we originally ordered, and it looks absolutely beautiful. We have received the 2021 new anniversary release base vehicle, a Fiat Ducato, with the new 2.2 engine and 9 speed automatic gearbox. I chose the 140 bhp version and whilst my driving style will be happy with this power level I am sure the larger output engines would prove more enjoyable to drive, at a price of course.
We also got additional safety features, such as traction control, hill descent control, lane safety warning, emergency breaking, which I have not visited yet, an updated dashboard and front end, new 16” alloy wheels, a wireless phone charging shelf and an electric parking brake system. The latter is not the same as my Skoda car, fully automatic but I believe it is semi automatic and you also are instructed to apply/release the brake before/After engaging the P.
As a new automatic driver I am not sure if some of the times the vehicle was held was due to the creep of the vehicle itself when resting on an incline. It certainly did not automatically hold me on a decline in a queue of traffic at a roundabout like I was expecting it to.
The dashboard is the analogue 2 dials with a central 3.5” LED screen giving information but I am unable to get it to show me the odometer readings, but it is early days. I have cruise control and speed limiter. Road speed information and warning if exceeding and this is as far as I’ve got. It came with a quick guide which was pretty useless, and I had to download the full manual. I’m sure I will get there with all the bits and bobs with the passage of time.
It didn’t have LED headlights or running lights, the large strobe indicators I was hoping for in particular so as to be more readily seen or the smart rear view mirror. It did have the latest Uconnect 7” infotainment centre which comes with Apple or android connectivity but no independent sat navigation system, which I’m pleased about really. Also the air conditioning was the older cab version and not the intended climate control.
I have been impressed so far with the almost indistinguishable gear change of the new auto box and the relatively comfortable drive of the new chassis/suspension. I previously had the Maxi chassis and over 3.5t on a coach built vehicle.The auto stop start system worked well too.
Some of the immediately noticeable points are the vertical lift cab screen blind, it means I cannot see any of the bonnet from my driving position and also there is a lot of glass at the bottom that I cannot access with a hand, which I felt was lost space for the required screen stickers that I shall have to get. The one piece side window cab blinds also feel a little flimsy as their full open side is not held in any frame. The top of the windscreen has a very large black box which houses all the cameras etc and I keep looking up at it thinking it is an internal smart mirror. This does mean there is a good place for the dash camera adjacent the box.
The habitation side of things are really positive. It has a feel of luxury about it and the greys and onyx colours blend well together. It appears well constructed and thought out with expensive fittings. The clever folding door in the bathroom is a real bonus for when we use the shower. Having downsized from a much larger interior we knew things would be difficult to get used to but having just had three nights away to read all the books and try to understand all the controls we are feeling we have definitely made the right decision. Yes we cannot pass each other in the not so long central corridor but we are impressed with the light and airy feel to the dinette, a thing we disliked in other PVC’s. Yes the wall mounted TV is a bit closer and higher than we have been used to but we can actually sit quite comfortable in the cab seats and watch it.
The oven and grill both work and we tested them both, with the hob, by having a toasted sandwich for lunch followed by a beef & 4 veg dinner, albeit the roast beef was reheated in the oven rather than cooked from scratch. We didn’t miss the microwave but did miss the larger washing up bowl and work surfaces. Despite this we washed all the pots in the van over the 3 days and the hot water was very hot indeed. The heating system of the Truma Combi E proved good and effective but I would have preferred more control over the fan settings having only got eco and high. We did have a pretty effectivevent cooling system though which could be used by turning the heating and hot water systems off. The electronic thermostat and heating timer was very good.
We chose the 84L fridge with small freezer compartment over the larger 153L option as with the latter you got no hanging wardrobe space and for our camping lifestyle this was a choice we wanted. Yes it did seem small but the compressor fridge was very efficient, quiet and very effective. So much so I was very impressed and the fridge was very cold all the time.
The 2 leisure batteries and vehicle battery seem to be well cared for with the B2B system and standard optional solar panel and when on EHU they both charged well. The Trauma and Adria Mach control system, which came as standard on this van, was both new to us and took some getting used to. Unfortunately the Adria books were for the previous model’s fittings so there were no instructions. The Adria Mach worked well on their App which was easier to control than the control panel. It is a pity the two control panels are not integrated into the one App despite looking as though they are.
The beds I thought were excellent although Sharon would have preferred her side to have been a little bit longer like mine. I thought the mattresses were excellent quality and gave me a good night’s sleep. I was impressed with all the window blinds which let very little light in around the edges and the insulation appears to be very good.
The below the bed garage space is excellent really for a vehicle this size, 6.36m, but I did bang my head a number oftimes having been used to a much larger one that I could physically climb inside even when fully loaded. There are 2 storage cupboards/shelves behind the gas locker which hide a very large amount of space which has come in very useful and we managed to get almost everything in from the Bessacarreven if it was harder to access items individually without moving something else.
I had borrowed an Altera Strada DL3 bike rack to test on the tow bar the dealer had fitted but I have to drop the ball hook to the lower sockets, and/or add a spacer to be able to fully open the rear doors. That will get resolved tomorrow at my local towing shop.
The Phantom Sentinel S7 alarm & tracker the dealer had fitted appears to be a good system and the customer service from them has been impressive so far. All worked from an App which gives lots of useful information and I can even let others track where I am, such as family etc, if I choose to. Andy Roberts put me in contact with a Fiat Professional dealer to provide the 5 year extended warranty too, at a cost of £866.66, which I decided to take out.
The soft close side door, enhanced by the electrically assisted closing, is fantastic. No woosh bang for us and I am pleased we finally decided to have that rather expensive option to save all the moaners and groaners from tutting at us.
Problems encountered so far are few but I will list them for completeness. The oven & grill igniter is hit and miss so on occasions we had to resort to lighting it with a gas lighter. The Adria Mach control panel seems a little sensitive, I awoke this morning to find the water pump off and couldn’t get it on again at the panel. I did manage to do it with ease via the App, and later did it from the panel too, so am not sure if it is actually user error or not. The large side door flyscreen came out of it’s footing on day 1 of camping. Not sure if Sharon was a bit heavy handed or not but I fixed it and the dealer has ordered the Adria metal fix for this problem.
The day after handover we had the van ceramic coated by Supremecoat UK at their new premises in Dronfield, Derbyshire. Supremecoat UK I invested in this expensive extra in the hope it makes life much easier taking care of our new pride and joy. It looked fantastic on day one and still looks good now. I can wash it now after 7 days and will soon place a review of the process I encountered.
For any Funster interested I have been given a £150 discount code that I can give to fellow Motorhomefun members that they can use off the full price as listed on their website.
Well its late in the day now so I am going to close and add some photos before retiring for the night after a very busy 4 days putting it through it’s paces. Sharon has named him Addy and for those who use Instagram you can follow our travels, as we have done before with Bessie the Bessacarr, under the username of RKT_640.
Regards, Roy & Sharon
We collected our new 22 model Adria Twin Supreme 640 SLB a week last Monday, Britains hottest day on record, from the dealer, Peter Roberts Caravans & Motorhomes of Huddersfield. HERE I must say as a new customer to this dealer I have been impressed with their attitude to customer service since day one back in March 2021 and Andy Roberts, in particular, has helped us through the challenging and disappointing times the delays have brought us. Especially since we sold our old Bessacarr in March 2021 too before ordering this one.
The van finally arrived in the metallic silver we originally ordered, and it looks absolutely beautiful. We have received the 2021 new anniversary release base vehicle, a Fiat Ducato, with the new 2.2 engine and 9 speed automatic gearbox. I chose the 140 bhp version and whilst my driving style will be happy with this power level I am sure the larger output engines would prove more enjoyable to drive, at a price of course.
We also got additional safety features, such as traction control, hill descent control, lane safety warning, emergency breaking, which I have not visited yet, an updated dashboard and front end, new 16” alloy wheels, a wireless phone charging shelf and an electric parking brake system. The latter is not the same as my Skoda car, fully automatic but I believe it is semi automatic and you also are instructed to apply/release the brake before/After engaging the P.
As a new automatic driver I am not sure if some of the times the vehicle was held was due to the creep of the vehicle itself when resting on an incline. It certainly did not automatically hold me on a decline in a queue of traffic at a roundabout like I was expecting it to.
The dashboard is the analogue 2 dials with a central 3.5” LED screen giving information but I am unable to get it to show me the odometer readings, but it is early days. I have cruise control and speed limiter. Road speed information and warning if exceeding and this is as far as I’ve got. It came with a quick guide which was pretty useless, and I had to download the full manual. I’m sure I will get there with all the bits and bobs with the passage of time.
It didn’t have LED headlights or running lights, the large strobe indicators I was hoping for in particular so as to be more readily seen or the smart rear view mirror. It did have the latest Uconnect 7” infotainment centre which comes with Apple or android connectivity but no independent sat navigation system, which I’m pleased about really. Also the air conditioning was the older cab version and not the intended climate control.
I have been impressed so far with the almost indistinguishable gear change of the new auto box and the relatively comfortable drive of the new chassis/suspension. I previously had the Maxi chassis and over 3.5t on a coach built vehicle.The auto stop start system worked well too.
Some of the immediately noticeable points are the vertical lift cab screen blind, it means I cannot see any of the bonnet from my driving position and also there is a lot of glass at the bottom that I cannot access with a hand, which I felt was lost space for the required screen stickers that I shall have to get. The one piece side window cab blinds also feel a little flimsy as their full open side is not held in any frame. The top of the windscreen has a very large black box which houses all the cameras etc and I keep looking up at it thinking it is an internal smart mirror. This does mean there is a good place for the dash camera adjacent the box.
The habitation side of things are really positive. It has a feel of luxury about it and the greys and onyx colours blend well together. It appears well constructed and thought out with expensive fittings. The clever folding door in the bathroom is a real bonus for when we use the shower. Having downsized from a much larger interior we knew things would be difficult to get used to but having just had three nights away to read all the books and try to understand all the controls we are feeling we have definitely made the right decision. Yes we cannot pass each other in the not so long central corridor but we are impressed with the light and airy feel to the dinette, a thing we disliked in other PVC’s. Yes the wall mounted TV is a bit closer and higher than we have been used to but we can actually sit quite comfortable in the cab seats and watch it.
The oven and grill both work and we tested them both, with the hob, by having a toasted sandwich for lunch followed by a beef & 4 veg dinner, albeit the roast beef was reheated in the oven rather than cooked from scratch. We didn’t miss the microwave but did miss the larger washing up bowl and work surfaces. Despite this we washed all the pots in the van over the 3 days and the hot water was very hot indeed. The heating system of the Truma Combi E proved good and effective but I would have preferred more control over the fan settings having only got eco and high. We did have a pretty effectivevent cooling system though which could be used by turning the heating and hot water systems off. The electronic thermostat and heating timer was very good.
We chose the 84L fridge with small freezer compartment over the larger 153L option as with the latter you got no hanging wardrobe space and for our camping lifestyle this was a choice we wanted. Yes it did seem small but the compressor fridge was very efficient, quiet and very effective. So much so I was very impressed and the fridge was very cold all the time.
The 2 leisure batteries and vehicle battery seem to be well cared for with the B2B system and standard optional solar panel and when on EHU they both charged well. The Trauma and Adria Mach control system, which came as standard on this van, was both new to us and took some getting used to. Unfortunately the Adria books were for the previous model’s fittings so there were no instructions. The Adria Mach worked well on their App which was easier to control than the control panel. It is a pity the two control panels are not integrated into the one App despite looking as though they are.
The beds I thought were excellent although Sharon would have preferred her side to have been a little bit longer like mine. I thought the mattresses were excellent quality and gave me a good night’s sleep. I was impressed with all the window blinds which let very little light in around the edges and the insulation appears to be very good.
The below the bed garage space is excellent really for a vehicle this size, 6.36m, but I did bang my head a number oftimes having been used to a much larger one that I could physically climb inside even when fully loaded. There are 2 storage cupboards/shelves behind the gas locker which hide a very large amount of space which has come in very useful and we managed to get almost everything in from the Bessacarreven if it was harder to access items individually without moving something else.
I had borrowed an Altera Strada DL3 bike rack to test on the tow bar the dealer had fitted but I have to drop the ball hook to the lower sockets, and/or add a spacer to be able to fully open the rear doors. That will get resolved tomorrow at my local towing shop.
The Phantom Sentinel S7 alarm & tracker the dealer had fitted appears to be a good system and the customer service from them has been impressive so far. All worked from an App which gives lots of useful information and I can even let others track where I am, such as family etc, if I choose to. Andy Roberts put me in contact with a Fiat Professional dealer to provide the 5 year extended warranty too, at a cost of £866.66, which I decided to take out.
The soft close side door, enhanced by the electrically assisted closing, is fantastic. No woosh bang for us and I am pleased we finally decided to have that rather expensive option to save all the moaners and groaners from tutting at us.
Problems encountered so far are few but I will list them for completeness. The oven & grill igniter is hit and miss so on occasions we had to resort to lighting it with a gas lighter. The Adria Mach control panel seems a little sensitive, I awoke this morning to find the water pump off and couldn’t get it on again at the panel. I did manage to do it with ease via the App, and later did it from the panel too, so am not sure if it is actually user error or not. The large side door flyscreen came out of it’s footing on day 1 of camping. Not sure if Sharon was a bit heavy handed or not but I fixed it and the dealer has ordered the Adria metal fix for this problem.
The day after handover we had the van ceramic coated by Supremecoat UK at their new premises in Dronfield, Derbyshire. Supremecoat UK I invested in this expensive extra in the hope it makes life much easier taking care of our new pride and joy. It looked fantastic on day one and still looks good now. I can wash it now after 7 days and will soon place a review of the process I encountered.
For any Funster interested I have been given a £150 discount code that I can give to fellow Motorhomefun members that they can use off the full price as listed on their website.
Well its late in the day now so I am going to close and add some photos before retiring for the night after a very busy 4 days putting it through it’s paces. Sharon has named him Addy and for those who use Instagram you can follow our travels, as we have done before with Bessie the Bessacarr, under the username of RKT_640.
Regards, Roy & Sharon
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and very well equipped.
perhaps after our first long tour
. Great review though.
Bob and Janie.
making pretty useless, we are LHD and here in the UK that one is a must coming off slip roads , you would have the same problem in Europe. 
