Full review

With over 49 years in business, few campervan converters can boast as long a history as Lancashire-based Leisuredrive.

Housed in a recently extended factory, this manufacturer is run and owned by Derek Andrews, who has many years’ experience using VWs as base vehicles – back to the days when their engines were in the rear!

Now, a new, more luxurious model, the Free Spirit, has been launched. This, Derek says, is a vehicle for those who want every luxury in their Volkswagen campervan.

As such, it is priced at nearly £60k, but Leisuredrive will also build this new conversion on a good-quality, used panel van. That could save you up to £14k.

Based on a long-wheelbase Transporter, the Free Sprit comes with lots of kit to justify that substantial price tag.

It’s a high-top model with Volkswagen’s factory roof, bringing with it the benefit of full-height rear barn doors. The demo model shown here also has an optional two-tone paint finish. A Fiamma roll-out sun canopy with LED awning light is fitted and a Teleco TV aerial is also standard, but the biggest surprise is a Dometic air-conditioning unit – ideal for those who venture to warmer climes. An external barbecue point and a socket for an outside shower are also part of the spec.

The exterior comes with low-key graphics, alloy wheels and electric mirrors. Inside, this example was fitted with a high-gloss furniture finish to modernise the appearance of its flat locker doors.

Open the VW’s usual sliding side door and you’re straight into the small lounge area. This comes with a classic layout of a single forward-facing rear seat and a side-facing bench opposite. The table is a free-standing unit that’s big enough for two diners. It also comes with a TV/DVD player mounted on the wall adjacent to the settee.

At night, the lounge converts into either two single beds or a lengthways double. Check them out for flatness and also note that the cab seats are not the highly praised, original VW items, so a decent test drive is a must.

The main galley unit lives along the nearside, aft of the lounge. Here, there’s a combined stainless-steel sink and twin-burner gas hob. Opposite is a 60-litre three-way fridge (silent, unlike compressor models, but requiring external vents in the bodywork and placing extra demands on your gas supply) and also a microwave (a very rare find in a campervan this compact).

Storage is available in the kitchen area (at high and low-level), plus the lounge, where there are more top cupboards.

Beyond the galley area, through a sliding tambour door is the washroom. This can also be accessed via the back doors. A bench-type cassette loo with electric flush is fitted, plus there’s a large handbasin with more storage below. Optional is the shower system.

At £60k, this is one for VW fans who simply cannot live without all the toys, but on a used base vehicle it may have wider appeal.

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