Full review

This season has seen four new ‘SE’ models join innovative Auto-trails’ innovative V-Line range, which when it launched signalled the manufacturer’s return to the van conversion market after quite a few years away. But there’s nothing radical about these. The interior design of all four offers just one layout: a rear lounge, with the size of the lounge varying across the range. All beds are made from the end lounge, with two models providing a transverse double, the other offering two alternative twin singles.

The 605 tested here is one of two mid-sized 5.99m models. Unlike the single beds 610 it offers just a double, but has space enough up front for a removable snack table and an extra cupboard with some useful work surface.

There are a few optional extras available and for good reason: standard-fit kit is what most people would want anyway.

In the cab there’s a passenger airbag, air-conditioning, cruise control, and chromed instrument surrounds. Cab blinds are included, too, while in the kitchen, a microwave is standard.

You can also have the full menu of Fiat engine options - standard 130bhp (which is plenty powerful enough), 148bhp and even 177bhp - and the possibility of the Comfort-Matic semi-automatic gearbox on them all. The 3-litre engine also endows the Ducato with the huge amounts of torque that makes the driving experience a far more relaxed affair, although this engine will not be available in Euro VI models.

Apart from a little kitchen ‘tympani’, the conversion remained hushed and solid on the road. Only the omission of an interior rear view mirror rankled somewhat, as there’s actually a pretty good view through the rear doors’ windows.

Inside, wood-effect cabinets enhanced by mushroom-coloured locker fronts and wall linings look just right, while dog’s tooth-style cloth is contemporary and well executed.

The window surrounds sit in front of the blinds to give a neat flush fit. No curtains, but you don’t really need them. Come sundown, there’s a great range of lamps in every department – although I did yearn for a ceiling lamp in the kitchen’s aisle.

The second seating area greatly increases versatility on site. Once swivelled, the cab seats are served by the top of a roomy cupboard and a single-leg table. A set of sockets is provided to serve a TV and there’s plenty of wall-space to mount it. This forward area also works well when the rear bed is left made up.

The end lounge works pretty well, given its small dimensions. The sofa’s squabs are neither too deep, nor too high off the floor. However, with their short length, flat-out feet-up lounging isn’t really possible, although you can try your best with more cushions. There’s a second set of sockets for a TV on the rear wall of the wardrobe.

Dining in the 605 SE is from a single-leg table that’s easy to set up – but the size of the tabletop seems to have been dictated by the height of the cupboard it is stored in. So it may be al fresco-only dining when you are entertaining, as the table is really only wide enough for two full-sized plates.

Turning the lounge into a bed before turning in is the work of a couple of minutes. Strongly-made sofa bases slide together to fill the aisle, then you simply add backrests to fill the space. The result is a reasonably flat, supportive surface.

Adding bedding is easy, too, as the open locker above the cab is capacious enough to store a sheet, duvet and two pillows. The adjacent stove-top’s glass lid makes a good bedside table.

The only downside is bed length: if you’re more than six feet tall you may have trouble fitting comfortably.

The V-Line SE range provides two sizes of kitchen and here we see the larger one, with four really good drawers, as well as two low-level cupboards.

With a combined oven/grill, three burners on the hob (one a high-speed, wok-sized device) and a microwave, you could knock out a full roast dinner with few problems. There’s a good slab of worktop between the stove and the sink and another very generous flip-up surface.

Opposite the main unit, the fridge has no automatic energy selection or removable freezer box, but it is plenty big enough for two people.

The washroom makes reasonable use of space in most areas, but there is no natural illumination, just a small circular vent. The toilet is also mounted a tad high. But there’s plenty of floorspace, the surfaces are wipe-clean and storage is very good indeed. The integral shower has its own mixer and head.

Drop-down basins had fallen out of fashion, but here, the stylish rectangular bowl integrates beautifully with the cabinet above and shelves below. It is rather shallow, but more than big enough for the morning splash.

Inadequate storage can be the bane of compact van conversions, but here it’s OK. There’s room beneath the nearside sofa for bulky stuff – even some compact outdoor furniture. In addition, there’s the large cupboard behind the cab, a total of six overhead lockers and a reasonable wardrobe.

Heating is by the ubiquitous Truma Combi – the 4kW model – which kept me warm on chilly February nights and supplied plenty of hot water, running on gas and/or mains.

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