Full review

THE concept of the Auto-Sleeper Mezan is not a new one, though, and nor is it one born in the brand’s home village of Willersey.

Everything from its layout to its moulded GRP furniture, from its choice of high or low roof versions to its base vehicle (albeit with an alternative badge) has been seen before.

But while it is certainly not an innovator, the Mezan has enough detail differences from its Romahome rival to be worth a closer look.

It also has an Auto-Sleeper family resemblance in its décor and graphics that will surely appeal to marque devotees looking to trade down to something more frugal and manoeuvrable.

The arrival of this Low Line version brought a choice of Auto-Sleepers once again to those who need their ’van to fit in their garage or slip under height barriers.

THE BODY BEAUTIFUL

The moulded body of the Mezan looks almost as if it belongs on the back of the Partner – not at all a boxy after-thought addition.

The cab’s rubbing strips continue along the sides and the rear bumper balances the heavy black plastic up front.

And to our eyes the Low Line version looks even better balanced than the original high roof model.

While the Mezan’s body is definitely one of its strong points, it is not faultless. Lean on the rear wall adjacent to the door and it flexes, making you question that quality image just a tad.

More obviously, the rear door has hinges that look archaic and amateur, and our test ’van had rusty bolts on the inside of those hinges after just a few months. And the fit of the door itself would be more appropriate to a 1972 Lada.

The twin side-facing settees behind the cab and the split kitchen units either side of the rear door are the time-honoured floorplan of the micro-motorhome, as originally conceived by Barry Stimson for the original 1970s dismountable Romahome which sat on the back of a Honda truck – powered by a 350cc petrol engine, would you believe?

In the Mezan you stoop to enter the necessarily low door but the flat floor right up to the doorway makes entry and egress very easy. The rear floor is also low enough to need no external step.

Once inside, you have a glass-lidded sink on your left, beneath which is the main kitchen cupboard and below that storage for an Elsan chemical loo.



The kitchen cupboard also includes a tiny cutlery drawer and a fitted set of crockery – even though it’s small, this is still a fully-fledged Auto-Sleeper!

On the opposite side of the vehicle is the cooker – a two-burner Smev with push-button ignition and matching glass lid, plus a grill beneath. Below that is the three-way (gas/12V/mains) fridge with 60 litres capacity, including a minuscule corner freezer box.

WHERE DO YOU PUT EVERYTHING?

Living in a small motorcaravan is easier if you are built of similarly compact proportions, but being tidy – and realistic – in what you pack is even more important.

We found that the Mezan could cope with a week away, two up, in summer, but a longer, autumnal trip might have been asking a little too much.

There’s no obvious wardrobe in the vehicle, but the high-level locker door on the nearside opens to reveal a very short hanging rail and a 26-inch drop behind the sink – room enough for two or three light jackets.

The bulk of the storage, however, is beneath the seats – a fact made less convenient by the fact that the squab cushions are each in one piece.

ROOM TO STRETCH OUT

When the sun is out and the temperatures deserve the prefix ‘summer’, the free-standing table will be outside and life with a Mezan will seem very enjoyable indeed.

But it won’t always be like that, and you’ll be amazed at just how comfortable it can be to relax inside the baby Auto-Sleeper.

The lounge area is up an eight-inch step from the galley, but the important statistic is that each of the settees is 1.65m (5ft 5in) long.

With a pair of scatter cushions provided, it’s easy to get comfortable to watch a DVD or read the latest Harry Potter novel.

Only when you have to erect the table ‘indoors’ do you remember just how bijou your home-on-wheels really is.

BED ON WHEELS

It’s a simple task to add four metal crossbars to support the centre part of the Mezan’s double bed, sliding one of the base cushions to the centre and letting the backrests drop in behind.

The two remaining backrest cushions can be stowed in the cab, but we were less sure what to do with the thinly padded bed extension, which adds vital extra inches of length to stretch the sleeping quarters into the cab.

Nothing seemed to be provided to hold this extension in place and wedging it tightly behind the driver’s seat backrest was, at best, a compromise solution.

Even then the bed is only 1.78m (5ft 10in) long, though there’s nothing to stop feet overhanging – and with the unused cushions resting on the folded down passenger cab seat it almost feels as if the bed extends much further into the cab on the nearside.

Single beds are also possible – just remove the backrest cushions from the sofas – but they are too narrow for all but those of beanpole proportions.



Conclusion:

For a single person looking for a vehicle that can be holiday accommodation, picnic vehicle and everyday transport – all in one – the Mezan looks ideal. Even for couples it seems to offer more than you’d hope or expect – it’s a bit of a TARDIS.

It is also well equipped - though the Low Line version lacks the high roof model’s hot water system – and it has a smart, modern appearance (inside and out) that drew favourable comment wherever we went. Its Romahome rival offers more permutations, and more choice, so you’ll need to look at both very closely indeed before placing an order. But if this sort of micro-motorhome appeals, then 40mpg and go-anywhere size will be just rewards for believing that small is beautiful.

Plus points:

Drives like a car, excellent economy, good performance from 2.0HDi engine, low enough to go in your garage, surprisingly spacious lounge area, good headroom with roof raised, GRP monocoque bodywork, removable carpets, fitted crockery, practical kitchen worktop flaps, plentiful lighting

Minus points:

Some lean and sway on the road, one-piece settee squab cushions make access into under-seat lockers more awkward, fiddly roof catches, no access to overcab area with roof down, short beds, no adjustment for passenger cab seat.

AT A GLANCE
MODEL: Auto-Sleeper Mezan Low Line
BASE VEHICLE: Peugeot Partner 2.0HDi
STARTING PRICE: £26,792 on-the-road
AS TESTED: £27,488 on-the-road

•    A full version of this review appeared in the January 2007 issue of Which Motorcaravan. To order a road test reprint contact Tina Beaumont on 01778 391187.

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