Leisuredrive Vivante campervan

Base vehicle: VW Transporter (T6) Price from: £43,500 Berths: 2 Travel seats: 3 Length: 4.90m Width: 1.90m Height: 2.50m Gross weight: 2,800kg Payload: 600kg

The Vivante has been honed by Leisuredrive for over 25 years, leading up to the current T6 version, which is now available in Silver, Gold and Platinum equipment levels.

All models come with Leisuredrive’s own design of high-top roof, a swivel passenger seat and twin battery charging system and, if you upgrade to the Gold spec, you also get a roof bed for kids, Fiamma wind-out awning with exterior light and diesel-fired blown-air heating.

The top-of-the-range Platinum version goes further still, adding a TV/DVD with aerial, hot water system (mains powered), exterior shower and barbecue point, a roof vent with extractor fan, and LED strip lighting to the aforementioned items.

While the company’s Crusader adopts the best-selling side kitchen campervan layout, the Vivante goes for the alternative rear galley floorplan. So, there’s a fitted kitchen at the rear nearside and a built-in cassette toilet opposite. The galley unit is handmade at Leisuredrive and comes in a range of finishes. It also comes equipped with Dometic appliances, including a grill/oven, a 60-litre three-way fridge, a sink and two-burner hob covered by a split, hinged, toughened glass lid when not in use. A microwave can be fitted as an optional extra.

At the rear of the campervan a cassette toilet is integrated behind a privacy screen. When not in use, it is covered with a tambour door and a work surface, which provides extra kitchen space for the cook.

Up front, the Vivante features three lay-flat forward-facing seats and a side-facing settee (opposite the sliding door). Rather than retaining the original Volkswagen cab chairs (which some may find more supportive), the trio of travel seats is installed by Leisuredrive. These seats are Status-accredited and crash-tested, and are available in a large range of upholstery styles, including leather or part-leather.

Only the front passenger seat swivels to face the free-standing table. Then, when night-time comes, both cab seats fold down for sleeping. Now you have the choice of two 6ft-plus single beds, leaving the middle aisle free for easy access to the loo and kitchen, or you can have a 6ft by 5ft 4in double bed, filling the front half of the camper. The high-top roof can also provide additional sleeping space for up to two children.

All Vivantes come with a safe under the passenger cab seat. A variety of interior lighting options includes strip lights at the side and rear doors, touch spots and reading lights at the front and numerous 12V or 230V sockets and USB ports are placed around the interior.

A wardrobe (forward of the loo and above the fridge), with an internal mirror, caters for clothes, while lockers under both rear passenger seats can accommodate bedding, etc. As standard, the Vivante also comes with mains hook-up, leisure battery, sheep’s wool insulation and blackout curtains.

A range of options is available, including a TV, blown-air heating, awning and bike rack. The conversion can be based on a variety of T6s, manual or automatic, as well as short or long-wheelbase. 

Read more reviews every month in What Motorhome magazine - click here to buy and download digital issues.

Leisuredrive has been making the Vivante for over a quarter of a century and the new T6 version is available in three different levels. Whichever you choose, you’ll get a camper with a fitted kitchen at the rear, a side-facing settee and a choice of bed styles - not to mention the high-top roof, which can provide extra sleeping space for kids.