Latitude Velocity 28 motorhome

The lap of luxury

Latitude produces just a couple of models, the well-appointed Titanium, a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van conversion and the coach-built Element 27 which is based on an Iveco Daily 72C210. 

My review of the Velocity 28 was not right out of the factory but was a recent custom order for a customer. One of the little clues to the custom bit is the rather striking colour scheme which certainly attracts attention as you drive along! 

Many a motorhome manufacturer opts to get under the 4500kg GVM limit because otherwise a light rigid truck licence is required. That often introduces design compromises, which can sometimes be a problem. Latitude has decided to do something a little different and use the Iveco Daily which has a GVM of 7200kg. That means that even though the Tare mass is 5650kg, it still gives a massive payload of 1550kg. Even still quite impressive when the 310L water tank and 18kg gas is subtracted. Airbag suspension is fitted as standard — it definitely offers a more comfortable ride.

Driving the Velocity is certainly a pleasure, as it comes with Iveco’s 3.0L turbodiesel that delivers a maximum power of 150kW and an equally impressive 470Nm of torque. 

Just as impressive is the super smooth eight-speed fully automatic gearbox which changes gears without any drama. Certainly, the Latitude can keep up with the general traffic flow under most driving conditions. 

BODY MATTERS

Underneath the composite body structure is a synchro pulse welded aluminium frame which gives the motorhome body its necessary strength, something essential since much of the offside wall area is taken up by a slide-out. Giving the body both a strength and insulation factor are the 30mm walls and 80mm-thick roof. 

The team at Latitude has a considerable amount of experience in motorhome construction, and it shows through a number of ways, not only in the bodywork. The Velocity 28 has a hefty amount of exterior bin space. 

All the under-floor storage lockers have electronic locking, as do the storage lockers built into the slide-out. Quite a few motorhomes have storage bins built into the body below the slide-out which are often difficult to get at when it is open. Having the lockers in the slide-out solves that.

Like the under-mounted slide-out bins, gas cylinders are often a bit awkward to lift in and out, even when they are not under a slide-out. However, the Latitude has a nearside bin with a slide-out tray on which both 4.5kg cylinders are mounted, and lifting them in and out is very easy. 

Also accessible is the adjoining bin where the 300Ah deep-cycle batteries and assorted electrics are fitted is the fuse panel that is actually labelled. 

Built into the body work of the Velocity 28 are quite a few extras such as the satellite dish on the roof, rear wall folding ladder and some heavy duty mudflaps for flat towing. There is also a mounting for the spare wheel. It may sound a slightly odd place but it’s certainly easier to get at than some I've seen. 

LATITUDE VS LONGITUDE

A slide-out always adds extra interior space and this one certainly does with a length of 5m (16ft 6in). It is a very smooth-operating piece of machinery and although the extension of 0.6m (2in) might not sound much, it makes a considerable difference. 

Filling the slide-out is a transverse double bed in the rear section, the kitchen bench in the mid-section and a sideways-facing lounge up front. Both the cab seats swivel around and there’s a table and a third seat behind the front passenger seat. That leaves the rest of the nearside for the entry door, the Dometic 216L compressor fridge and a bedroom cabinet/wardrobe. Across the rear of the motorhome is a full-width bathroom.

All the cabinetry is interlocked, bonded and screwed together. To ensure everything stays where it should when travelling along, Blum LEGRABOX drawer and hinge systems and minimal but strong stainless steel door handles, are used.  

LUXURY DINING

All the motorhome seating is leather upholstered and the emphasis is clearly on relaxation. There are two matching foot stools for whichever seat is chosen and the wall area around the table comes with a very impressive wine bottle and glass holder rack. Made more impressive by the owner’s wine stocks, I have to say. Overhead lockers are fitted all around the front area including above the driver’s cab.  

KITCHEN RULES

It’s a little deceptive but the kitchen area does look relatively simple. It doesn’t have a microwave oven but it does have a four-burner cooker with grill and oven, along with a stainless steel sink. Undoubtedly the most attractive feature are the three well-sized soft-close drawers. As previously mentioned, the fridge is on the opposite side of the motorhome and I should point out that the cabinet to the side of the fridge not only has storage space but also a decent sort of coffee making machine. 

BEDROOM EYES

A benefit of the slide-out is that when it’s opened out, there is an amazing amount of space to walk around the bed — none of the usual contortions required when getting around some sleeping arrangements. Measuring 1.92m (6ft 4in) in length and having a width of 1.52m (5in), there are bedside cabinets on both sides. Also notable is the amount of wardrobe and cupboard space — room for clothing for all seasons. There’s even a dresser complete with wall mirror between the wardrobes. Just being very flexible, there’s even a flatscreen TV above the dresser which can be seen easily from the bed and with a bit of mounting arm swiveling — from the front area, too. 

EQUIPPED FOR COMFORT

The bathroom comes with a separate offside shower cubicle, a mid-wall toilet and nearside cabinet that includes a pedestal wash basin and a front-loading washing machine. There are also other essentials such as a well-sized shaving cabinet and cupboard space. A little differently, the toilet is not the usual cassette tank style but a macerator type, something common in the marine industry but much less in RVs. 

SELF-SUFFICIENCY

Let’s not beat around the bush, something there isn’t any shortage of in this motorhome is electrical power. In addition to the 300Ah batteries, there’s a 3000W/120A inverter/charger which acts like an interruptible power supply and 900W of solar panel capacity. In addition to all that there’s a Dometic Tech29 generator. 

Taking those specifications along with the 310L freshwater tank and 95L grey and black tanks, means a considerable capacity for self-contained living. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

To say the least, this is one very impressive motorhome. It’s been built very much to an owner specification, is certainly very well appointed and clearly has quite a few additional features added by the owner on top of the base Latitude motorhome. 

Builder experience also shows in the way the motorhome is constructed and the classy style that it showcases. 

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

External length 8.8m (28ft 10in)

External width 2.47m (8ft 1in)

Internal height 2.02m (6ft 7in)

Travel height 3.25m (10ft 8in)

Tare 5650kg

GVM 7200kg

ENGINE

Base vehicle Iveco Daily 72C210

Engine 3.0L turbodiesel

Gearbox Eight-speed auto

Max power 150kW@3100-3500rpm

Max torque 470Nm@1400-3000rpm                           

EXTERNAL

Fresh water 310L

Grey water 95L

Black water 95L

Fuel 210L

Batteries 300Ah lithium, Finscan control and monitor system

Solar 900W

Inverter 3000W

Generator Dometic Tech29

Air-conditioner 2 x Dometic Harrier Inverter 

Gas 2 x 4.5kg

INTERNAL

Cooking Thetford Caprice 3+1 cooktop, grill & oven

Fridge Dometic RUC  8408X 216L 12V compressor

Microwave N/A

Bathroom Marine flushing toilet

Lighting 12V LED

Hot water Aqua Go instantaneous

OPTIONS FITTED

None fitted

PRICE AS SHOWN

$395,000

MORE INFORMATION

Latitude Motorhomes

13/14 Rothcote Court

Burleigh Heads, Qld 4220

Ph: (07) 5606 8000