Spartan T6.1 Startline campervan

A cleverly updated VW T6.1 camper that puts comfort, flexibility and real-world usability first.

Spartan Campers may already have one eye firmly on the new VW T7, but this latest T6.1 conversion proves they’re not finished refining the Transporter just yet. In fact, this is the most considered and user-friendly Spartan we’ve seen so far. 

Based on a long wheelbase VW Transporter T6.1, this is a 150bhp manual on a low-mileage 23-plate, with a price hovering around the £60,000 mark. Overall pricing across the range is from just under £40,000 to around £75,000 depending on base vehicle and options. That positions Spartan neatly in the premium-but-attainable sector of the market – and once you step inside, it’s easy to see where the money’s gone. 

Raising the roof

One of the headline upgrades in this new model is the option of an electric pop-top roof. Spartan has long fitted the WestDubs manual roof as standard, but the electric version is a welcome alternative. It adds around £2,500 to the price, so it’s not cheap, but for ease of use – especially for solo travellers or anyone less keen on upper-body workouts – it makes a lot of sense. 

Inside, the biggest change is the optional Mobiframe sliding seat system. The standard Fabworx fixed bench is still available, but this three-seat, three-belt set-up transforms the living space. The kitchen becomes slightly narrower, but the payoff is a noticeably wider and more comfortable bed – a trade most buyers will happily make. The sliding system also adds real flexibility, allowing you to prioritise lounge space, load space or sleeping comfort, depending on the trip. 

A practical interior 

Spartan has also responded to feedback and rethought its toilet storage set-up. In previous models, the loo was housed in a kitchen cupboard and had to be lifted over the storage area’s bottom lip to use it. The loo now lives under the bed in a proper slide-out compartment making it easier to access, easier to stow and easier to use. A small change, but a big improvement. 

The kitchen itself feels thoughtfully evolved rather than radically changed. There’s a smart rounded worktop corner for improved safety, a proper cutlery drawer and an optional microwave for those who enjoy campsite convenience. New for this year is a three-litre 12V hot water boiler – and this is one of those features you don’t realise you need until you’ve got it. Mixed with cold water, it delivers around nine litres of usable hot water, meaning washing up can be done in the campervan rather than via a trek to the facilities block. The Spartan team says this was inspired by their own camping experiences, and it shows. 

Dining and lounging are well catered for with two tables: a main table that stores neatly at the end of the galley and clips onto a sliding rail, plus a smaller “coffee table” for the swivel passenger seat. Add in new mains and USB sockets by the sliding door, plus wireless phone charging, and it all feels nicely modern. 

Electrics are another strong point. As standard, you get a 100Ah lithium battery paired with a 1,200W inverter. For more off-grid confidence, there’s an optional 300Ah lithium battery and 1,600W inverter upgrade, plus roof-mounted solar if desired. All of it is controlled via the new Savvy Van touchscreen control panel, which makes monitoring power and systems straightforward. 

Thoughtful storage design

For storage, there’s a useful shelf above the wardrobe (perfect for glasses, books or night-time essentials), overhead cupboards at the rear and a wardrobe that drops all the way down to the wheelarch. Around the back you’ll also find access to the habitation electrics, on-board WiFi, gas locker, external shower point and even an outside barbecue connection. 

Spartan Campers has always leaned heavily on craftsmanship and practicality, and this latest T6.1 is a confident expression of that philosophy. It’s not the cheapest VW camper out there, and some options – particularly the electric roof – will stretch budgets. But what you get in return is a flexible, well-thought-out layout. 

Handbuilt in Coventry, we think this might just be Spartan’s best-ever campervan and many of the improvements are as a direct result of customer feedback, which is always good to know. While pricing – especially with all the options – pushes it beyond budget territory, the payoff is a camper that’s flexible, comfortable and easy to live with.