Full review

The Kingham was introduced almost five years ago (we first tested it in the November 2013 issue) but it still stands alone in a class of one. There’s a vast choice of fixed bed layouts in Fiat/Peugeot van conversions – especially 6m and 6.36m models, even some 5.41m versions. But most have a transverse bed at the back – as well as a half-dinette up front. The Auto-Sleeper opts instead for a lengthways French bed and side settee lounge behind the cab.

Powered by Peugeot’s latest 160bhp Euro VI HDI motor, the Kingham boasts more performance than most rivals, while the new, downsized engines are more refined than before. For those needing an automatic, a 130bhp or 150bhp Fiat Ducato with Comfort-Matic can be ordered at extra cost – at £2,000 or £4,000, respectively.

Whichever base vehicle you go for, you’ll need to budget £2,500 for the Premium Pack, which is an essential part of any Auto-Sleeper and which brings the specification up to top-drawer level. The pack includes alloy wheels, Al-Ko Air-Top suspension, cab air-conditioning, cruise control, a Thule roll-out awning, colour reversing camera, Garmin sat-nav, 80W solar panel and leather steering wheel and gearknob. Further options are the Media Pack (£995) which adds a Maxview satellite system and the Winter Pack (£295) for cab blinds, water tank heaters, wheelarch insulation and a heater upgrade. New this year in the standard specification is a Trackstar Leisure Category 6 vehicle tracking system with a year’s subscription included.

The Kingham’s reason-to-buy is, of course, its rear bedroom, complete with a mattress that can slide back to lift the rear section, thus providing backrest support for you to sit up with your favourite book, or breakfast in bed. There’s a large storage area under the bed, too, with easy top-loading access, but the bed doesn’t fold away for garage-style stowage space as seen in most continental van conversions of this size.

Alongside the bed, the washroom has a tambour door to aid entry, while further forward is a vanity unit and washbasin with mirror. Right at the back of the washroom is Thetford’s latest swivel cassette toilet, as well as the showerhead. Completing the layout on the nearside, is the kitchen. This comes well equipped with a microwave (mounted at eye-level), a combined oven and grill, a selection of drawers and a worktop extension flap at the forward end. Generous worktop space is just one aspect that gives the Kingham a real advantage compared with its rivals if you like to cook.

Unusually for a van conversion, the Kingham is a pure two-berth with no rear travel seats. Instead, it has a side-facing settee, complete with armrests and scatter cushions, which joins the pair of rotating cab seats (which are at a slightly higher level).

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.