Full review

Hymer offers a wide range of van conversions, low profiles and A-classes on Fiat and Mercedes. Here, though, is an Exsis based on the Citroën Jumper (usually called Relay here) – the lesser known sister to the Peugeot Boxer.

It’s the first Citroën-based Hymer to be offered outside France for many years and the reason it’s here is price. The lower chassis cost, plus a package of standard kit with no options to change the spec, equal a customer saving of £11,310. That makes it a brand-new A-class for £70k.

The Exsis is a slimmer A-class (2.22m overall) and it’s designed to be a 3,500kg model with a sensible payload. New this season is the 580, usually based on Fiat’s low-frame chassis with wide rear track rather than the Al-Ko chassis of other Exsises (see here).

And now there’s also this 580 Pure, a limited edition motorhome that swaps Fiat power for Citroën, with a 2.2-litre BlueHDi engine putting out 165bhp. It comes with cruise control, cab air-con, 16in alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel, reversing camera and 90-litre fuel tank – but it’s manual only when it comes to changing gear.

Inside, the 580 Pure is just like the standard 580 with the same new furniture, which brings the Exsis’ design up to date with its Sauvignon Oak finish. This is a younger-looking Hymer, as well as one that boasts 1.98m headroom (despite a low overall height).

There are new features, too, such as the recess in the washroom wall that accommodates a 32in LED TV with DVD drive. That’s just one of the Pure’s tempting standard features, along with a 65cm satellite dish.

On site there’s L-shaped seating facing the door as you enter, plus the Aguti swivel captain’s chairs. The Citroën dashboard is neatly integrated into the wider A-class cab, while the drop-down bed above demonstrates Hymer’s decades of A-class-building experience with its slick operation.

A step in the lounge floor ensures a comfortable sitting height for all, while a deep window in the door and wind-up sunroof stop the area seeming gloomy.

The angled kitchen ensures a wide walkway through to the rear, while there are four soft-close drawers and also a full cooker with separate grill and oven. The décor mixes white high gloss with lots of grey and elements of pale wood – very contemporary. A 142-litre tall/slim fridge completes the galley spec.

The layout at the rear focuses on twin beds. The multi-zone cold foam mattresses are 1.88m and 1.90m long and the previous overhead lockers have been deleted, making it easier to sit up in bed. Under the bedroom is a garage with 1.19m headroom and carrying capacity of 350kg, while one wardrobe is located under the offside bed and there’s a second one next to the fridge.

Finally, there’s a one-piece washroom on the nearside with shower doors that pull around on a track in the ceiling rather than just unfolding. The shower tray with twin drains and neat storage cupboards with elasticated straps are further pluses of an excellent washroom.

If the standard spec of this Exsis-i 580 Pure suits, then it looks like something of a bargain. And there’s a low-profile Exsis-t version of the 580 Pure, too – at an even more tempting £60,020.