Full review

THERE’S no doubting the popularity of the Hymer brand here in the UK, and the sheer number of the things you see out on the roads suggest that the company’s long established A-class models (dubbed, rather confusingly, as ‘B-Class’ in Hymer parlance) are the most popular of the lot.

The new 508 is unique in the latest B-Class CL line-up in that its sole instant bed is the usual swing-down affair over the cab.

Where other CLs sport either a transverse or longitudinal (or, in the case of the range-topping B698 CL, island-type) fixed rear bed, the 508 instead has a variety of wardrobes and lockers across its rear wall, with a compact washroom in the far nearside corner, complete with swing-out wall to make a ‘separate’ shower cubicle.

It’s pretty unique in the lounge up front, too. Scan the rest of the CL range, and you’ll find variations on the usual half-dinette theme, allied to swivelling cab seats, but the 508 manages to squeeze a spacious half-dinette (in a shallow L-shape) and a long nearside settee into its sub-6m (under 20ft) length, a layout that is certain to find real favour among UK buyers looking for a UK-style layout, but with a Germanic flavour.

The settee really opens up the 508’s lounge, and while those in the wall-side of the offside dinette might feel just a little hemmed in, it’s a much more sociable design than the rigid half-dinette.

And with the cab seats brought into play, this becomes an uncommonly spacious lounge, given its very compact overall length.

The fact that the same dinette provides a pair of forward-facing travel seats is merely the icing on the cake, given that this motorhome will only ever be able to sleep three people.

Remarkably, even the kitchen is of a decent size, with more than a nod given towards worktop space, while the corner washroom is the usual Hymer-esque paragon of design brilliance.

The cab bed impresses, too, with a large, thickly sprung mattress, proper lighting and even a fresh-air vent to help alleviate those sticky Mediterranean nights.

At a glance:

Make: Hymer
Model: B508 CL
Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato MWB 2.3 Multijet
Length: 5.99m (19ft 8in)
Width: 2.35m (7ft 8½in)
Height: 2.90m (9ft 6in)
Travel seats: 4
Berths: 3
Expected price: Around £45,000
Available from: Hymer UK

This review first appeared in the November 2007 issue of Which Motorcaravan. To subscribe to the magazine, click here.