Auto-Sleeper Warwick Duo HD

Berths: 2 Travel seats: 2 Base vehicle: Peugeot Boxer LWB Length: 5.98m Weight: 3,500Kg

Produced back in the early 1960s, the very first Auto-Sleeper was a panel van conversion and, although the firm later went on to develop a respected range of coachbuilts, van conversions have remained at the heart of the business.

The original Warwick (launched in summer 2007) featured a very long kitchen, which made for a smaller lounge that only provided a transverse double bed. The 2015 Warwick Duo stays basically the same as before, with washroom and wardrobe (unusually) on the nearside, kitchen opposite (where most rivals reverse this set-up). In the rear, twin sofas provide plenty of feet-up lounging and a second access point (the other being the side sliding door) through twin rear doors. Detail changes include a redesigned kitchen and a smaller wardrobe to provide more lounge space.

The other important change is a new option this season: the offside sofa can become a diner for two. The only downside is the fact that with this option fitted only single beds can be made, where the standard model can make an alternative giant double.

Coming in at a smidge under the magic six metres long, the Warwick Duo is based on the long-wheelbase steel-bodied van. However, it’s slightly different to the rest of the pack as Auto-Sleepers builds on the ‘window van’ version. Where other converters cut holes in the body and fenestrate with plastic double-glazed units, the Warwick features factory-fitted single-glazed glass – Auto-Sleepers simply adding surrounds and blind/flyscreen units inside.
Advantages here include stylish appearance, heated rear windows and insulating privacy glass. Dressed in rather strangely-named Golden White (looks more like bronze to me), the test Warwick looked superb, even in the gloom of a foggy winter day.

The washroom is mostly a sensibly designed, well-equipped facility that makes the most of its limited volume. In fact, it’s one of my favourite designs in a space such as this. And that’s for two reasons – the first that it utilises Thetford’s bench-type toilet, which is perfect in this situation and fits the width of the room perfectly. Above, Auto-Sleepers’ own version of the drop-down washbasin fits nicely, and works well.

The shower is integral and has the less desirable nylon shower curtain (these tend to cling to your body when showering), but it includes a twin-outlet tray floor and separate mixer/showerhead. Less desirable features are the mirrored storage cabinet with slippy plastic interior and lighting that’s behind you, so not great for seeing to shave or apply make-up. Finally, the walls are made of textured wallboard. Please, Auto-Sleepers, fit some smooth wipe-clean material in here.

The lounge is the USP. Neck-and-neck with its lovely long sofas is the ability to provide the two single beds. And sofas and beds are long too: in a world where motorhome makers can sometimes be ‘optimistic’ when it comes to quoting bed dimensions, Auto-Sleepers has sold itself short as it quotes lengths of 6ft 1in. My tape measure put both sofas and beds at six-four. It highlights a most important thing to do: always try before you buy.?

There’s plenty of LED lighting on offer throughout the interior, including four reading lights in the lounge. They’re fine when sitting, but when reading in bed the rear one proved to be a tad too far forwards. Another niggle is with the sofa backrests. These need to be moved when making the beds, and with the cab the obvious (only?) place to stash them, it’s a faff as they’re well over six feet long. The solution? Auto-Sleepers should divide them into two.

This is an abridged version of the full review that appeared in the April issue of MMM magazine.

The Warwick has one of the best rear lounges in the high-top class, and it’s a comfortable and superbly equipped ’van. The kitchen is one of the best around, too, but the side dinette ‘HD’ option seems almost superfluous, especially as its foot well robs storage potential.