Malibu Van Charming GT Skyview 640 LE: Do it again, Malibu!

The seat can be folded up with a flick of the wrist – without removing the upholstery. Ambient light and carefully distributed spotlights ensure atmospheric illumination.

And now, almost two years later? Its successor starts the tough long-term test with us! There are big footsteps to fill. After all: He brings two decent pluses into play right at the beginning.

Two roof hoods ensure an airy feeling of space.

This is the Malibu van

A panel van straight out of a picture book. Its swiveling front seats form a seating group together with the table and back seat, followed by the bathroom and two lengthways beds, and the kitchen unit is next to the sliding door.

With a length of 6.40 meters, it is one of the largest Malibu vans, which is available in a whopping 28 different versions – from the 5.40 meter short transverse sleeper to the 6 meter longitudinal bed compact to the 6.40 meter long pop-up roof. four sleepers.

A large drawer with waste bin complements the storage space in the chest.

In order not to lose orientation when making such a selection, the following basic rule applies: the models with a “K” in the designation use compressor refrigerators that are installed in a half-height cupboard to the right of the kitchen block.

The only exception here is the “first class two rooms”, in which the compressor refrigerator is located at the front of the kitchen block and is therefore also accessible from the outside. This gives them a larger work surface and an open line of sight through the vehicle.

There is also a fundamental difference in the bathroom: in the models with an “RB” in the name, the bathroom door can be closed like a room divider in the direction of the seating area, which means that the rear part of the vehicle can be separated and a dressing area is created there.

In the Malibu you will find firm mattresses on slatted frames for a restful sleep and a storage step for easy access.

In all other models, a two-part, space-saving sliding door closes the bathroom. One of these is our test car – without the “K”.

The Malibu van has that

Very well thought-out new detailed solutions. For example, the seat of the bench can be folded up with a flick of the wrist to access the storage space (with drawer) underneath.

In the bathroom, a roller blind is now preferred for showering instead of the folding walls. The pantry has three additional drawers to keep things tidy.

In the rear storage space, a new, removable intermediate floor ensures sensible subdivision.

That’s how the Malibu Van drives

clean! The facelift of the Ducato is a real gain. With the new electric power steering, for example, the crosswind assistant is standard, adaptive cruise control is now optional, and the new, large multimedia system is also easy to use and read.

Maximum storage space by removing the step and intermediate floor and setting up the single beds.

A digital cockpit is also available, in which navigation instructions can also be displayed.

Despite all this, the Ducato remains a safe companion with a fast-reacting ESP, strong brakes and a good overview. Only the tight front axle tends to stutter on bumps.