This year looks to be one of CI Motorhomes’ busiest yet, with the local distributor looking forward to completing a fully refreshed range. In a relatively short space of time, the CI Motorhomes line-up has evolved into a pretty impressive showing of premium European fare.
In addition to Magis 63P is the Riviera 66P, 66XT, 82P and 85P models. CI Motorhomes has also recently introduced the stylish Triaca 32XT, which we previewed in MCD at the start of the year. Featuring plenty of top-quality fittings and apartment-like design features, the Triaca is a real showpiece with plenty of Italian flair.
Now the Riviera 65XT has joined the CI Motorhomes line-up too. This new model replaces the outgoing Sinfonia, and even though it offers more in terms of its feature set, the Riviera 65XT’s introductory $151,000 purchase price is actually $3000 less than what the Sinfonia was stickered. Given the comfort and convenience specification,CI Motorhomes offers with the new model, that’s pretty impressive.
Value proposition
This motorhome really does feel like it packs in a fair amount of specification for the price. Given that this is a range-topper for CI Motorhomes, the previous statement shouldn’t be taken lightly.
I’m impressed that a Fiamma bike rack and external awning are offered with the vehicle for example, but the spec sheet bullet points also encompass plenty of other good stuff, such as top-quality Eco Leather trim material throughout, Fenix Stone benchtops, a 140-litre fridge/freezer, LED mood lighting with touch-sensitive on/off, a 120-watt solar panel, Combi Truma gas heating, and a 19.5-inch flat-screen TV with integrated DVD player and Sky TV decoder, which can be tucked away out of sight in a cupboard when not being used.
The CI Riviera 65XT also arrives out of the box with an Alden automatic aerial with ‘one button deploy’ set-up and an on-board carbon dioxide detection system. In addition to all the features inside, the Riviera 65XT also incorporates a decently-proportioned garage (1170m x 820M) at the rear.
The rear bed is raised, allowing for plenty of stowage for outdoor furniture and hobby items underneath. Staying outside, CI Motorhomes New Zealand also offers free Duraseal paint protectant on all Rivieras, meaning your recreational investment should remain sharp-looking for yearsto come.
Five-part harmony
It’s not easy to find a motorhome driveable on a standard car licence that will sleep five people. As a father of three, it’s certainly something that keeps your current correspondent’s own personal motorhome shopping list much briefer than most.
The CI Riviera 65XT offers sleeping spaces for a quintuple quota though. How? I’ve probably buried the lead to an extent, but there are no less than two double beds on-board. The Riviera 65XT gives you a full island double bed at the rear augmented with an electronically raising/lowering double up the front as well.
The drop-down can be halted in its descent at a certain point to allow the u-shaped sofa and single seat below to be transformed into another sleeping position if desired; the effect is like bunk beds and, depending on the intended occupants’ ages and propensity for imagining fortresses out of furniture, will no doubt provide a fun place to sleep.
This is a neat option, although it will limit the amount of spare space mum and dad have after it’s ‘lights out’ for little ones. Thankfully, an internal door divides up the Riviera 65XT’s interior into two separate living spaces, which comes in handy for privacy in general, but also means mum and dad can still watch some satellite TV without disturbing the tuckered-out tots next door.
Verdict
The CI Motorhomes line-up offers plenty of choice these days but there’s nothing like checking out the range-topper to whet the appetite. There are other rungs on the ladder, but even this next-top-model for the local distributor arrives with a decent introductory price attached.
Given what other brands will give you for a similar outlay, the lengthy list of standard features in the Riviera 65XT’s make-up means it will certainly deliver more for less. And that’s even before you remember it occupies that rare ability to sleep five if you really need it to.
CI Riviera 65XT specifications
| Engine |
2.3L 4-cylinder turbo diesel |
| Transmission |
6-speed manual or automatic |
| Berths |
5 |
| Approx. overall length |
7410mm |
| Approx. overall height |
3150mm |
| Tanks |
100L fresh, 115L grey |
| Gas |
1 x 9kg
LPG bottle |
| GVM |
3500kg |
CI Riviera 65XT price (as reviewed): $151,000
Pluses
- Convenience of a five-berth motorhome for more adventurers
- Premium quality interior features
- Extras such as a bike rack and awning make this a value-for-money proposition
Minuses
- Drop-down bed as third and fourth berths won’t appeal to everyone
- Night configuration with five on board limits space for those not going to bed early
