Full review

Words and photos: Geneve Brand

The Norvan VW T6.1 Camper

It’s always great to see new exhibitors come along to the National Motorhome & Campervan Show (one of our shows, hosted annually at the East of England Showground, Peterborough), and Norvan instantly got our attention with a VW T6.1 bespoke campervan conversion with a motorbike hanging out of the back sitting on a ramp. This was a customer’s campervan and therefore not for sale, but it was a great example of the kind of thing Norvan can build for you, if you wish.

The Wakefield-based company specialises in bespoke conversions and offers everything from swamper and off-grid campers to tourer and family-friendly, and also specialises in tech and entertainment. It builds on Volkswagen, Mercedes and MAN base vehicles, although only VW campervans were on display at its stand at the show.

If you don’t want to go down the bespoke conversion route, Norvan builds standard campervans that are available for sale on its website, and also offers secondhand stock. At the time of writing, it had six campervans for sale, including two used VW California models and four brand-new Norvan campervan conversions, including the one featured here, which could be yours for the princely sum of £69,999.

Volkswagen fittings

It's akin to a Volkswagen California and, at first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking that is what this is, as it features VW’s own bench/bed system, which is rarely seen outside of the real thing. We’re big fans of this system because it is a doddle to set up and is on rails so that it can be moved as far forwards or backwards as you like, in order to increase load space in the boot or have passengers sitting behind the cab when travelling – great when you’re on the road with kids, for example. Another nifty feature of this system – exclusive to Volkswagen – is that the tracks come with covers to prevent them filling up with mud, fluff, sweets, etc, when the bench is in its default position.

Of course, both of the swivelling cab seats are Volkswagen factory-fitted units, too (meaning they have been rigorously crash-tested by VW), as is the VW California side step with light. All seats have then been upholstered in soft and luxurious leather. To match the California high-end spec and feel, the conversion is based on a VW T6.1 Transporter Highline – so you get things like adaptive cruise control and front and rear parking sensors – with a 148bhp (150PS) engine and DSG (automatic) gearbox.

The specification

As you’d expect from a company that specialises in top-end campers, the conversion features plenty of spec and tech, including a 150W solar panel, Webasto Air Top heater with digital programmable controls, 50-litre Vitrifrigo fridge, Smev mini grill, Dometic three-burner hob and sink and 68-litre underslung water tank. There are Corian worktops and soft-close drawers and doors in the gloss cream kitchen, too. For power, there are three mains 230V sockets plus three USB ports.

At night, the colour-coded Nulite pop-top roof with an opening sky canvas is fitted with a Norvan roof bed. Other features include sound deadening and insulation, including on wheelarches and cab doors, as well as Veltrim carpet throughout, and there are tinted flush opening windows fitted with blinds.

The exterior

Outside, the two-tone white and copper colour combo is the height of fashion at the moment, and the look is finished smartly with black gloss 20in Wolfrace Eurosport alloy wheels, front splitter, side bars, an extended exhaust pipe and Eibach adjustable comfort springs. For practicality, there’s a Reimo Mulitrail fitted, too.

About Norvan Conversions

Already trading as a shopfitting company with established premises and staff, Norvan set up as a campervan converter during lockdown in 2020, and has since been building high-end campervans, using Volkswagen components where possible, and mainly uses high-spec VW T6.1 models.

You can take in your own van for conversion at its premises in West Yorkshire, or Norvan can source one for you. It also offers a range of already built, ready-to-go campervans for sale, which are listed on its website.

You will also find Norvan exhibiting at a number of campervan shows, including our own Warners shows – check out the calendar here.

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