Autohaus Kingston Komet campervan

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

The concept here is not a new one, but Autohaus has introduced some fresh thinking – and a very impressive list of standard kit – into the six-metre campervan sector.

Autohaus says that most of its customers have either children or grandchildren who go away in their ’vans, so it is entirely logical that the Kingston has eschewed the classic two-berth market and headed instead into the four-berth sector, where there are fewer rivals. A key part of the design brief, too, was the comfort, height and shape of the rear passenger seating. By using an RIB seat, Autohaus has avoided the shapeless and overly upright half-dinette arrangements seen elsewhere, while maintaining the same floor level as in the cab stops passengers having dangling feet.

The RIB also folds down (and slides out) to make a flat double bed with claimed dimensions of 6ft by 4ft. But, of course, there’s also a second bed at the back – that one’s 6ft 1in by 4ft according to Autohaus.

As well as having the beds – and belts – for four, the Kingston aims to have plenty of family-friendly space on site, for when the weather keeps you on board. The cab seats swivel to face the RIB bench up front (with an island leg table in the centre), while (at the back) sofas face each other to create a classic rear lounge. There’s a wall-mounted TV here, plus a Heki rooflight above (or optional habitation air-conditioning unit). Scatter cushions are provided, too, and both seating areas are adjacent to a doorway – great on a fine day when you’ve got the doors open to enjoy the fresh air and views.

Also adjacent to the sliding door is the galley, in a familiar van conversion location. Here, you’ll find a two-burner gas hob/sink combination unit, plus a 30-litre Smev oven/grill. Further rearwards, under the wardrobe, is the latest 90-litre Thetford compressor fridge.

The most impressive part of the galley, however, is the worktop – posh, Tristone worktop with plenty of room to prepare dinner. And that’s even before you deploy the forward worktop extension, which slides out like a drawer. Not only does this enhance the chef’s working environment, but it can act as a coffee table for the rotated front passenger seat.

Behind the kitchen, fire-retardant leatherette trim is used on the sliding door; it’s the type of well-thought-out and practical detail you’ll find throughout this ’van. Another example is the washroom with its glass-fibre shower tray, corner basin and aluminium sliding door; no shower curtain required.

But the real winning feature is the spec. Autohaus’ MD, Tony Payne, says you can just add food and go to use it, because an awning, self-seeking satellite TV system, 25-litre gas tank, external barbecue point, alloy wheels, Whale gas/electric boiler/heating, 100W solar panel, sat-nav and reversing camera and sensors are all standard. If that makes you think you can’t afford a Kingston, think again – the all-inclusive on-the-road price is £49,995, or thousands less than many less well-specified rivals.

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