Adria Twin 640 SPX campervan

Berths: 2/3 Travel seats: 4 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Gross weight: 3,500kg

The Adria Van Win – later renamed Twin – started a trend that spread like a forest fire across Europe. Campervans and van conversions now account for 40% of the market in Germany, and most of those have a fixed bed (or beds) in the stern, just like that original Adria

Here, the campervan sector has been growing rapidly, too, and probably accounts for between one-in-four and one-in-three sales. British manufacturers, though, tend to opt for rear lounges, while imported rivals stick with fixed beds for superior sleeping comfort and huge, versatile rear storage areas.

Now, here’s another idea to throw into the mix: a campervan with a bathroom like the best low-profiles and A-class motorhomes. It’s not the first of its type but few others offer ablutions facilities as comprehensive as this in a steel van body. As is now almost standard practice in the best continental fixed bed motorhomes, there’s a shower cubicle on one side and a totally separate toilet room on the other.

The clever bit is that the doors to the two compartments open out across the aisle to close off a full-width washroom, completely private from the bed to the rear and the kitchen/diner up front. The shower looks small, but I tried if for size and reckon that most average-sized males will be fine – certainly I’d rather shower here than fight with a shower curtain. Opposite, the toilet is on a plinth, so long legs are a plus for ‘sitting comfort’ and the drop-down basin hides behind a large mirror.

All this comes in an extra-long (6.36-metre) Fiat Ducato high-top van, priced competitively at well under the £50k mark. White is the standard colour but there are also four metallic paint schemes. Malaga is the standard décor for this 640 SPX – the grey Titan furniture is only available in the smaller 600 models.

The newcomer also has a larger-than-usual rear double bed. At 1.96m by 1.48m – our measurements – this is a big bed. There’s a small step, too, to act as a hop-up and a Midi Heki rooflight is in the bedroom roof.

Up front, the floorplan is conventional with a half-dinette and a kitchen running partially across the sliding door. The lounge area has an extending seat squab on the forward-facing bench – stretching it from 0.97m to 1.10m. The smart Leather Fumo optional soft furnishings pictured here add a touch of class, too, while an extension leaf on the table aids practicality. Details include a flexible wand reading light over the driver’s seat.

The galley comes with a good-sized worktop extension flap and three extra-large drawers for storage. Appliances for the chef include a two-burner hob and sink combination. However, there is no oven or grill fitted in this model, unlike in the 600 GB, but you do get a large Isotherm compressor fridge.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read more like it in MMM magazine, which is Britain's best-selling motorhome magazine.

You can get a digital version of the latest issue of MMM magazine here.