Full review

THIS motorhome is a looker and the style trumpeted in its name is not an idle boast.

From its low skirts, fun dark-grey, silver and red graphics, smart alloy wheels and two endearing offside portholes, it’s every inch the head-turner.

They’ve taken the red theme inside too, bestowing red leatherette panels on the seat upholstery; it’s all very harmonized.

There are even two faux roof bars to hide any unsightly lumps and bumps in the roof. As such, I hadn’t even gone inside, and already I’d fallen for this handsome beast.

I was glad to see the broad, blade-style electric step fitted at the sliding door, as so many accidents are caused by small steps, but I do like sliding doors to be clear of all obstructions – it’s half the reason why I prefer van conversions.

The view from the big sliding door can be wonderful, and it facilitates sitting in comfort with the sun warming your bones but with the wind kept at bay, providing you are able to park with a bit of forethought. However, the entrance to the Style is partly blocked by the kitchen.

The layout has a transverse rear double, with a forward half-dinette opposite the kitchen and a nearside amidships washroom.

Double-glazed rear windows are something I’d like to see British manufacturers copy, but I found the step up to the bed wasn’t designed to make it the easiest climb. It wouldn’t be beyond most motorcaravanners’ skills to remedy this, though: simply cut another step.

A short single berth of 1.60m (5ft 3in) can be cobbled together from the half-dinette by lowering the table, sliding the base cushion forward and making use of the backrest and front passenger seat. .

The kitchen has all the necessary bits of kit and includes a flip-up worktop. There’s just a two-burner hob and no oven or grill, but the 80-litre fridge alongside will win it some friends.

I suppose the proximity of the kitchen to the doorway at least ensures that the cook and washer-upper can enjoy the view.

And cries of delight from the chef will be heard when they discover the great big drawers capable of storing large saucepans and kettles. It would make cooking much easier in my own ‘van if I could carry large pans.

Washroom facilities are small, but adequate, with more than enough elbow-room. The basin tap is shared with the shower, and the shower tray has a lift-off cover that matches the strip wood-effect vinyl floor.

Storage space is very good, as the two rear doors open up to reveal a vast space under the rear bed. There’s a reasonable wardrobe above the fridge, and a greater than usual number of nooks and crannies to store things in a logical fashion.

The £38,794 asking price (as tested) for this extremely well screwed together, stylish and flexible van conversion may pose quite a threat to UK manufacturers – and, indeed, existing fixed bed rivals.

The 2-Win Style has adequate payload provision (435kg), and the water carrying capacity is by no means stingy, with a generous 96-litre fresh water tank and a 90-litre waste tank.

This leading German manufacturer of quality panel van conversions is destined to make a significant impact on the British market with a range of models being introduced for next season.

The 2-Win Style’s flexible rear bed arrangement, with adaptable storage below, should prove very popular with outdoor sports enthusiasts – but it’s far from unique in this respect.

Where the Pössl does stand out is with its head-turning skirts, porthole windows, roof rails and decals, which add a youthful appeal that will enable it to stand out from the growing crowd of fixed bed high-tops.

Fact-file:

Price from: £36,995 on-the-road
Price as tested: £38,794 on-the-road
Options fitted: Premium Pack comprising ASR, 125-litre fuel tank, cab air-conditioning, passenger airbag, 80-litre fridge, Thiefbeater thief deterrent system, CD/radio (£1799)
Base vehicle: Citroën Jumper (Relay)
33 LWB high-roof van
Engine: 2.2-litre 120 HDi developing 120bhp
Travel seats: 4
Berths: 3
Length: 5.99m (19ft 8in)
Width: 2.05m (6ft 9in)
Height: 2.54m (8ft 4in)

A full version of this review first appeared in the October 2008 issue of Which Motorcaravan. To subscribe to the magazine, click here.