Full review

This side settee lounge layout is definitely the flavour of 2019. Now, it has even spread to entry-level motorhomes. Of course, like others of the type, those sofas become a pair of individual forward-facing chairs for rear passengers and it’s here that these designs offer flexibility not seen in British rivals.

In this new addition to the Seal range there are fold-up steel-framed backrest supports to enable the conversion – and no extra cushions or panels to retrieve from elsewhere. Sausage-shaped lumbar support sections work in both seating layouts to help overcome deep squabs and flat cushions and these have contrasting trim (picked up on the tops of the backrests).

Non-matching cab seats (original Fiat upholstery) signify that this is an entry-level motorhome but both swivel to make a lounge that can comfortably seat six. You won't be short of acreage in the dining surface department, either, as the table unfolds to a whopping 1.02m by 1.05m.

Options are kept reasonably few and simple, but the one item you won’t want to be without is the £795 overcab Skyview sunroof. With no offside lounge window, no glazing in the door and no possibility of a skylight over the table (because of the drop-down bed), it could feel very gloomy in here without it.

This motorhome made its debut at the NEC's February show where a special pack added alloy wheels, a Bluetooth/DAB radio, oven, reversing camera and dash cam. Other habitation area extras are limited to an electrically operated height-adjustable rear bed (£1,295), awning (£875), solar panel (£395) and bike rack (£289).

The Seal 66 Plus is based on a Fiat Ducato, as you’d expect, but you might not anticipate the standard-fit cab air-conditioning, cruise control, twin airbags and wide-track Camping-Car chassis – especially considering the super-keen list price. The 150bhp engine (£1,495) and Comfort-Matic gearbox (£2,495) are both offered but, interestingly, the importer (M and C Ltd) also lists a 150bhp ‘chip tune’ for a more tempting £495. The chassis is plated at 3,500kg to suit all drivers and comes with a generous 680kg payload, which should be plenty.

The galley is a straight unit on the nearside. It comes with a deep sink with large drain hole, a three-burner hob and a Thetford oven (but no grill). There’s a single large drawer for cutlery and two low-level cupboards, while the fridge – a generous 141-litre unit with separate bottle drawer – is positioned on the offside.

There’s a separate door to the bedroom and its en suite, instead of using the toilet door to close off the back of the motorhome. The toilet area is up a step and hidden behind a tambour door – it’s a practical space with angled shaving mirror and opening window. The shower is opposite and also up a step – here headroom is 1.86m compared with 2.08m in the main living area.

The island bed measures 1.88m by 1.36m and there’s plenty of room to sit up in bed. Net curtains and a small rooflight are fitted but there’s no screen between the bedroom and the ablutions. There is, however, plenty of room to move around the bedroom and to get changed.

Under the rear bed, the exterior locker offers headroom of 0.88m, as well as two loading doors.

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