Full review

BASED on an established Westfalia model, the Marco Polo, the Bilbo’s De Zine includes key features making it user-friendly both as an everyday car and specifically in the UK.

The Mercedes Viano is the MPV version of the Vito commercial van and forms a far more sophisticated base vehicle with automotive quality interior trim and specifically designed rear floor.

Upfront the driving department is, if anything, even more car-like than the VW T5 base that Bilbo’s are famous for, with the added cachet of Mercedes’ luxury car image and that important badge on the bonnet.

A wide range of engines is available – the show model featuring the 3-litre V6 turbo-diesel that produces a blistering 204bhp linked to a five-speed automatic gearbox and driving the rear wheels. Nothing else comes close for driver appeal!

And twin airbags and climate control are just two of the features that contribute to this camper’s car-like characteristics.



In the rear, a classic camper layout sees all the cabinets arranged down the UK nearside.

The sliding bench seat flattens at the touch of a button to form a double bed, thanks to electrically-operated backrests.

Above, a rear-hinged rising roof deploys to provide good standing headroom and an optional roof bed. This berth provides modest double bed accommodation – its mattress is supplemented by comfort-enhancing plastic bed supports, all mounted on a strong alloy frame.

The clever design of this roof means that no material is snagged when lowering – which is effortless – while the low overall height of the vehicle with the roof down should allow it to tackle even multi-storey car parks and domestic garages. It's a fraction lower than a Bilbo's VW T5 too.

Crucially, Bilbo’s contribution to the De Zine sees a UK nearside sliding door fitted, in addition to the standard offside continental item.

Cleverly, the front end of the furniture unit – containing the fridge – is removable, thus giving access to the rear from the UK kerbside. The De Zine can now then used as a four-door MPV, with the fridge unit safely stored at home ready for that weekend camping trip.



Summary:

Possibly the most car-like camper available, the De Zine offers a superb quality continental conversion with four-door, UK-friendly characteristics and a three-point star on the bonnet.

Fact-file:

Make: Bilbo’s Design
Model: De Zine
Base vehicle: Mercedes Viano MPV
Price from: £36,950 on-the-road
Length: 4.99m (16ft 4.5in)
Width: 1.90m (6ft 3in)
Height: 1.96m (6ft 5in)
Gross vehicle weight: 2,940kg
Payload: 635 to 930kg
Berths: 2 (optional 4)
Travel seats: 4, including driver (optional 6)

•    This article was first published in the May 2007 issue of Which Motorcaravan.

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