Full review

Fiat-based fixed bed van conversions have a transverse double bed if they’re built on the six-metre, long-wheelbase panel van, or lengthways single beds if they use the extra-long, 6.36m Ducato. There are, of course, exceptions to that decree, however, and this is one of the latest models to bend the rules.

It’s not hard to see the appeal of the 5.99m-long panel van in terms of manoeuvrability and ease of parking, as well as reduced costs on some ferries.

Equally, twin beds in the stern make for easier night-time access, without having to mountaineer over your snoring other half in order to reach the cassette toilet in the hours of darkness. This latest Avenir aims to combine both pluses in one campervan. It’s not unique in doing so, but it is unusual in its lounge design, which relies solely on the cab seats.

Unlike almost all of its rivals (bar a single model in Bürstner’s City Car range), the new Danbury has no half-dinette bench seat behind the cab. Thus, it has no rear travel seats – this is a pure two-person campervan.

Travelling and relaxing is done in the Fiat cab chairs – here in smart black leather with twin armrests apiece. If you’re wondering about the embroidered Pilote logos, that’s because the example photographed was a French spec model (sold as a Pilote Van V600J2) but the UK-bound Danbury will differ only in having right-hand drive and badging of the British brand (which, of course, is owned by Pilote).

The cab seats swivel to face a turquoise-coloured wall and a set of L-shaped cabinets, as well as a footrest described as ‘a seat for your feet’! A wall-mounted table slides towards the front seats for dining and comes with a swing-out extension leaf. The area is completed by a padded surround to the window and small cupboards below.

The rest of the layout is pretty conventional, including a galley running along the offside, adjacent to the sliding side door.

Here, there’s some worktop space even before you deploy the lift-up flap on the end of the unit. Facilities include a combination two-burner hob and sink unit with split glass lids and an 85-litre Vitrifrigo compressor fridge. Storage includes three good-sized soft-closing drawers, while the overcab area is boxed in rather than being left as an open shelf.

Opposite the galley, the bathroom is revealed behind a tambour door. Inside, there’s very generous space for showering, thanks to a fold-away washbasin and a cassette loo that slides out of the way, too. Pull the toilet out and there’s adequate knee and shoulder room to use it, while ventilation is well catered for with a roof vent and an opening window. Clever use of space makes this an innovative bathroom design, but we’re promised that the below-waist-height mirror will be changed in production to avoid your blushes…

The rear bedroom offers single beds that are marginally different in length (1.87m nearside, 1.89m offside) and separated by a central storage unit that might need extra padding if you’re a restless sleeper. There are no windows in the back doors, but two opening side windows and a roof vent provide fresh air.

The offside bed can be folded up to increase storage capacity and get bikes on board (it’s a maximum of 0.78m high with the bed in situ), while the gas locker resides under the nearside bed and the wardrobe (hanging height 630mm) and fresh water tank are accommodated opposite.