Full review

Launched in 2004 on a Peugeot Boxer Al-Ko chassis, the Midas motorhome, at 7.44m, was the longest coachbuilt Auto-Sleepers had attempted, although only 20 or so were ever built.

Built on a similar chassis, the new three-model Corinium range, then, is not quite a first, but the promise here is more luxury.

The FB offers up a full-width end washroom and a fully enclosed bedroom with French bed. Its 7.72m length is not considered that long these days, but this vehicle has some presence with flush-fitting windows and GRP-clad sides. Things aren’t so advanced underneath: there’s no sign of any of a GRP skin that many manufacturers are now fitting. But it’s good to see rear corner steadies and mudflaps as standard.

The initial offering is as a low-profile with a forward lounge of two settees. There are alternatives, however, starting with a choice of opening sunroof, or lockers to all three sides. There’s also an overcab pod option, at no extra cost, which offers extra sleeping accommodation or a large storage area.

With the standard 3,500kg chassis rating, you haven’t got a lot of payload: the 293kg figure is calculated without any fresh water on board. Corinium is likely to be used by couples, so payload and storage won’t be a problem unless you want to carry bikes and other bulky stuff, and squishing all of this into the 3,500kg chassis mans no driving licence issues.

It’s always a slightly noisy start-up with Peugeot engines, and the 150bhp unit that comes as standard here is no different. But it soon settles down and the ‘van drives well, the Al-Ko chassis soaking up the bumps better than Peugeot’s usual rear suspension. All the other Boxer positives are here – direct steering, easy gearchange, and good views out.

It’s great to see that Auto-Sleepers has opted for a DAB upgrade, even if the lack of a CD slot is a reminder of how times are changing.

Auto-Sleepers quotes an official 1.98m by 1.37m for the main bed. My tape measure came up a bit shorter, and the bulkheads at either end don’t leave room to manoeuvre. It is set low, though, and there’s no getting away from the comfort a proper mattress can give you. Sockets at the foot of the bed means it’s a straightforward enough job to add a TV.

The wardrobe opposite, with its accompanying six drawers, is big and narrow. But it does leave space for an easy walk-through, as well as a neat vanity area outside the washroom.

There’s also a lounge double, and putting it together is a simple enough operation.

In daytime mode, you could have six around the free-standing table. The flat floor running all the way through to the washroom is commendable, too.

There’s a super washroom area with a properly lined shower cubicle, a centrally located salad bowl basin, a Dometic ceramic swivel-bowl toilet, just about enough dressing room space, and a window to provide ventilation. Storage comes in the form of the tambour-doored locker under the basin. Ideally, it needs a shelf. Fresh and waste water tanks of 91 and 71 litres is the minimum one should expect.

There’s a full Thetford Caprice cooker to the far right of the kitchen, with worktop space between it and the sink, which benefits from an add-on drainer as well as the smaller fitting that hooks onto the sink’s cover when it’s upright. Auto-Sleepers still has fold-up hob guards for its hobs, which get in the way and add to the en route rattles, but they’re easy enough to remove. If you want more worktop, there’s a slide-out section, plumb in the middle.

There’s also a full-sized Thetford fridge/freezer, with automatic energy selection, plus a Daewoo microwave. Both are at convenient heights.

Other kitchen storage includes two drawers and two overhead lockers, one with wine glasses supplied and two bottle clips. Auto-Sleepers supplies a crockery set, too.

The ceiling lights are almost too bright. Other illumination includes four adjustable spotlights in the lounge and two lamps over the cab. But one or two conveniently located switches to turn off all the lights might be a benefit.

Heating is more than catered for by a Truma Combi 6, although the only outlets to the main living area are in the kitchen.

This is an abridged version of the full review appearing in the July 2016 issue of MMM. Buy it now.