Florium Black Pearl 63 LJ campervan

A premium-spec campervan with single beds...

Florium is the sister brand to Fleurette, the sister that got the keys to the designer wardrobe. But whereas both brands offer the same layouts in motorhomes, the Black Pearl campervans are only dressed with the Florium logo.

Two layouts are available, each with familiar continental floorplans – the 59 LT (5.99m long with transverse double bed) and the 63 LJ (6.36m with single beds). 

Both are new to the UK market this season. A black pearl is typically cultivated from the black-lipped oyster in French Polynesia, unless you’re referring to Captain Jack Sparrow’s pirate ship in Pirates of the Caribbean. 

Neither seems particularly relevant to campervans, especially as the metallic black exterior seen here isn’t the only option – Artense Grey and Expedition Grey are also available.

Fleurette returns to campervans

What we have here, then, is this marque returning to a sector it left in the 1980s, now seeking to serve buyers wanting a compact but premium model.

With its overcab Skyview sunroof, luxurious cream faux leather upholstery, handcrafted furniture, Truma Combi diesel heating and Vario washroom, the Black Pearl campervans don’t miss out on comfort.

Off-grid camping

These are vehicles that are also designed for a degree of off-grid camping, with their 100Ah lithium battery and compressor fridge (in addition to that diesel heating). A 150W solar panel is optional.

Extra-long Fiat Ducato

Like most rivals, the Black Pearl 63 LJ is based on an extra-long Fiat Ducato panel van. It comes with the 140hp motor, Eco Pack (with stop/start), front fog lamps, a leather steering wheel and alloy wheels. 

The Pearl Pack adds an electric parking brake, reversing camera, heated mirrors, cab blinds, a flyscreen for the sliding door and a wide electric entry step. Notably, the Skyview is in glass and comes with a de-icing function for those winter mornings.

Rear bedroom

Key to any layout of this type, of course, is the rear bedroom and here the conjoined berths each measure 1.99m by 80cm. The comfy mattresses are Evoluflex high-resilience items. 

There are reading lights on long flexible wands and, while windows are fitted on either side, importantly the rear doors remain unglazed so you can comfortably sit up in bed. 

Under the foot of the beds, the nearside furniture has easy access with sliding doors, while drawers are fitted opposite. 

Further to the rear, the garage area is 1.05m wide and measures 48cm high – more with the dividing false floor removed (underneath is a practical chequerplate floor with lashing points). 

The inboard water tank has a generous 110-litre capacity, while the gas locker takes one 13kg cylinder (heating is diesel-powered, remember). The 85-litre water tank is frost-protected, too.

Good details

Enter through the wide sliding door and you’ll note little details like the extra handle to aid its closing. Then there’s the attractive duo-tone cabinetwork and the ergonomically shaped half-dinette bench with extending squab to ensure that taller passengers are comfortable. The top lockers push to open and have a nice quality feel.

Kitchen and washroom

The side kitchen may be compact but that’s not a word you’d use for the compressor fridge, which boasts a 135-litre capacity. A worktop flap extends the preparation space alongside the sink (with loose cover), while a two-burner hob is your only cooking option. 

So, there’s no oven or grill here, but that has allowed Florium to maximise the storage with supersized drawers. Both 12V and 230V sockets are fitted to the front of the galley. 

Opposite, the Vario washroom means that there’s plenty of space to use the loo but a swing-wall transforms the area into a decent-sized shower with a convenient place for your gel. 

A clothes drying rail is fitted into the roof vent but the wall recesses need deeper lips to be practical.   

The layout is the familiar single bed campervan formula but the lithium battery, large compressor fridge and diesel heating are all major pluses, along with the neat Vario washroom. A premium offering in a crowded sector.