Full review

Devon Conversions’ well-established Firefly incorporates a rear kitchen layout into the VW T6-sized Ford Transit Custom. Now, for those looking for a little more space, there’s a long-wheelbase (LWB) version, too, priced at just over £2,300 extra for 367mm of additional length.

The main gain is extra storage, with a pull-out rack in the nearside galley and a full-height wardrobe (suitable for long dresses) on the offside. The rest of the floorplan is similar to the short-wheelbase model, except that here there’s no choice of pop-top or high-top.

The LWB Firefly comes only with Ford’s factory high roof, all in steel and with full-height rear doors. It keeps overall height down to a modest (but still too tall for height barriers) 2.43m but that also results in relatively limited interior headroom – a maximum of 1.76m (5ft 9in), which clearly won’t suit every buyer.

It’s a good-looking ’van, though, with an MPV-esque vibe and flush-fit glazing. The Ford alloy wheels shown here are a £600 option, but the metallic paint and colour-coded bumpers are included as standard.

Power comes from a 130PS (128bhp) 2-litre diesel, while Ford’s slick automatic gearbox is a £1,620 optional extra. Devon specifies the Transit Custom in Trend spec, so you get cab air-conditioning, driver and passenger airbags, cruise control, heated cab seats, parking sensors and reversing camera, and automatic lights and wipers all included in the price. And a kit level like that makes the Firefly look very well priced compared with an equivalent VW T6.

Inside the lounge there’s the same four individual face-forward seat arrangement as in the SWB Firefly. The back seats have simple headrest pads mounted on the furniture (no steel framework here), while the cab chairs swivel to create a lounge for a quartet of folk. Dining is on the offside, where a small table affixes to the wall, leaving clear access through the sliding door.

At night, the rear seats simply slide forward and flatten and infill cushions are added to create a pair of flat 1.85m by 0.62m single beds. There’s no double bed option and the side entrance is now blocked, but of course you’ve still got the rear barn doors if you make up the beds before heading to the pub.

Enter through the rear and you’ve got quite an expansive kitchen (for a campervan) along the nearside but it’s a pity that the Firefly persists with Devon’s traditional cabinetwork rather than the much more contemporary wood finish seen in other new models, such as the Arizona. Certainly, there’s plenty of worktop, while the recesses for plates and mugs in the wall behind are a neat touch.

Equipment includes a two-burner hob in a combination unit with the stainless-steel sink, with a Smev oven/grill below if you fork out an additional £492. The fridge – an 80-litre compressor model as standard, 60-litre three-way for an extra £185 – is located opposite. We’d go for the easier operation of the compressor model, but whichever cooler you select there’s a large shelved cupboard above – storage in this camper (including under the lounge seats) is surprisingly generous.

Unlike side kitchen layouts, the Firefly also offers a fitted cassette toilet at the rear. There’s no shower (not even an exterior one) or separate washbasin and you have to unfold the toilet door across the gangway to use the loo, but it does create a good-sized space for getting changed and you can wash in the kitchen sink.

If you found this review useful, every issue of What Motorhome is packed with similar coverage of new motorhomes. Click here to view latest subscription offers.