Full review

Citing the advancing years of its staff as the reason for building this Peugeot-based campervan, Celtic Motorhomes has, for the first time, moved away from just producing tried and tested conversions on the ever-popular Volkswagen Transporter base. The firm is now being drawn towards panel vans in which you can stand up – and layouts with proper kitchens and private bathrooms. Layouts that, perhaps, suit an older buyer.

It has gone for one of the most popular van conversion layouts in the UK – this front dinette/rear lounge design must also be one of the most versatile on the market. Swivelling cab seats, a front half-dinette with two more seatbelts, a central kitchen and washroom, plus a parallel sofa lounge out back – it’s all pretty standard stuff

But there’s more to this layout than first meets the peepers as, when mother nature is smiling, it’s possible to leave the rear lounge converted into a bed, ready to fall into after a hard day of relaxing in the sun. And, if you still want to sit inside, the front half-dinette stands ready to oblige. What you don’t get, of course, is fixed bed-style XXL-sized storage space for bikes, barbecues and beach gear.

Being based on the long-wheelbase version of Peugeot’s Boxer brings this camper nicely just under the six-metre mark, which makes it easy to drive and park and cheaper on some ferries – particularly in Scandinavia. But using such a tried and tested layout means success or failure for the GT600 is all down to the details. It seems the crew at Celtic has done its research as kit here is up to on-trend standards.

Peering around also tells a tale of really good fit and finish and modern styling. Heavily grained, wood-style joinery looks good partnered with the half-leather upholstery, while ambient lights around the perimeter of the padded ceiling and a veritable squadron of downlighters make for a great atmosphere that’ll be especially welcome on the dreary days of winter.

The standard spec includes the 130bhp motor and six-speed manual gearbox, but it also includes metallic paint, cruise control, air-conditioning, rear parking sensors and a DAB radio with sat-nav. The table has a generous swing-out extension and, in the rear, a pedestal-mounted alternative sets up between sofas that can seat four. The bed is a transverse double that’s easy to set up. Several star features inhabit the galley: the Thetford stove with oven/grill, drawer storage and a roomy 12V fridge. There’s a good slab of work surface, too, and it’s made from Staron – an alternative to Corian.

Life support includes a 140W solar panel, 140Ah leisure battery, Truma Combi dual-fuel heating/hot water, underslung 25-litre gas tank, 85-litre fresh water tank and 75-litre waste tank. All impressive stuff. Less impressive, though, is the bathroom. It’s a bit basic, and equipped with a drop-down basin, the design and manufacture of which is rather more than long in the tooth. In short, the GT 600 is a great first effort for Celtic Motorhomes and given the high standard spec, it’s good value. 

If you enjoyed this review, you can read loads more like it in What Motorhome magazine. You can get a digital version of this latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.