Auto-Sleeper Warwick XL

Prices from: £51,995 Price as tested: £53,195 Type Approval: European Whole Vehicle Berths: 2

THERE used to be clear differentiation between the coachbuilt and van conversion sectors. Van conversions were considerably shorter and narrower and normally built on medium-wheelbase vans, meaning they offered less space, less spec.

The waters were muddied with the arrival of the current generation Fiat/Peugeot panel van and its smidgeon-under-six-metres LWB derivative – a perfect size for a camper that can offer full motorhome facilities.

Styling

The fact that this new Auto-Sleeper is van width and has great all-round visibility is the over-riding impressions behind the wheel, along with the surprisingly strong performance from the standard 130bhp engine. You don’t have to spend long at the wheel to understand the appeal of downsizing from a wider, more ‘top-heavy’ feeling coachbuilt.

In addition, being an Auto-Sleeper, all the bells and whistles are standard. You get cab air conditioning, passenger airbag, cruise control, Bluetooth and radio/phone controls on the steering wheel. Then there’s the metallic paint (choose from four colours), daytime running lights and alloy wheels, on the outside.

We weren’t so sure about the stick-on fake wood on the dash, which looks rather 1980s and fails to get near the shade of Auto-Sleepers' new furniture.

Kitchen

This longer 'van actually loses seven inches of kitchen length to its older, shorter brother, while the cooker is a Thetford Triplex with combined oven/grill instead of the Duo’s full-height Caprice Mk III unit that adds a mains hotplate and separate grill and oven.

Here you also ‘make do’ with a plastic removable draining board, instead of the Duo’s integral stainless-steel drainer. But, in all, this is still a well-appointed galley with a surprisingly generous amount of worktop.

The positioning of the washroom opposite though does narrow the standing area considerably.

Washroom

If the kitchen is good, the washroom is better. Here you really can see the benefit of the extra-long van’s extra 365mm. Not only does this washroom look good enough to grace any coachbuilt but it has a properly separate wet area for the shower and washbasin. With plenty of light (artificial and natural) and a generous amount of room in the ‘dry zone’ to use the loo or get dry, it looks pretty close to perfect… until you spot the lack of any cupboard space.

You will, however, be able to enjoy the XL’s shower all year round. The underfloor water tanks are now insulated and heated and this vehicle has achieved Grade III insulation.

Lounge

Keeping out those notorious back door breezes will be a big plus in winter, but it’s in the summer months that the Warwick XL’s layout really shines. Open both rear doors and stretch out on those 6ft 3in long settees and you have an outlook on the world that no coachbuilt can match. And nor can the Warwick Duo.

The rear doors are now much more comprehensively trimmed than before and the new two-part backrest cushions add to the comfort of this generous six-seater (or more if you’re good friends).

Tthe XL’s clothing cupboard comes between the bathroom and the offside sofa and incorporates shirt-length hanging space, plus three drawers.

Sleeping Area

You’ll be able to enjoy the radio or TV just as comfortably when you’ve drawn the pleated blinds and made the bed – or beds. Singles simply require backrest cushions to be removed, while the bases slide together
to make a double that is over 6ft in each direction. .

Either option leaves a number of extra cushions to stow in the cab, so sitting in the swivel passenger seat with an early morning cuppa before your better half wakes up might not quite be as easy as it seems. There is an extended floor here, though, so your feet won’t dangle.

Read the full version of this review in the November 2013 digital issue of MMM magazine.

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Upgrading from a Warwick Duo to an XL will be a no-brainer for many, with the new model’s better bathroom, lovely lounge and worthwhile winter weather enhancements making it the better buy.