Sun Living V Series 65 SL campervan

Berths: 3 Travel seats: 4 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: 626kg

There’s already a considerable choice of rear fixed bed campervans available on the market, so can a new entrant make its mark? Well, the Sun Living V 65 SL – the larger of two models, based on the extra-long Fiat Ducato – starts off with a price advantage over many rivals

Secondly, it follows the familiar path of twin single beds in the rear but adds Brit-friendly versatility by offering the possibility of converting these into a lounge. Then there’s the option of a bunk bed above, for extra sleeping space, and a large 90-litre fridge in the kitchen, so the new Slovenian ’van could have enough differentiation to stand out in this crowded market.

Of course, the base vehicle is the ubiquitous Fiat, available here in either white or silver (at £870 extra), with either the 130 or 150bhp power unit. The standard white version looks up-to-the-minute with its eye-catching diagonal graphics in grey and blue, while the 130bhp motor should be more than adequate.

You will need to fork out extra cash, though, for one of the two packs. Pack 1 comes with cab air-con, cruise control and a passenger airbag for £1,819. Pack 2 goes further, with front foglamps, a leather steering wheel, ESP and Traction+, in addition to the Pack 1 elements, for £2,589. The only other base vehicle option is the Comfort-Matic gearbox – priced here at £2,359.

Inside, the Sun Living has a youthful, loft apartment feel to it. Upper lockers are white and have recesses rather than handles. Upholstery is equally simple with Mercurius trim having contrasting turquoise highlights.

There are further options on the habitation side, though. The Comfort Pack will surely be on most people’s shopping lists - £1,059 brings you Truma 4E gas/electric heating (instead of gas only), cab seats trimmed to match the rear and colour-coded bumpers. Other possibilities are a flyscreen for the sliding door, electric floor heating and Isofix for child seats.

It is in the rear that the V 65 SL might win you over, though. Here, the Sun Living stops short of a full lounge, as you’d expect in an Auto-Sleeper or Swift Select, but it offers a good deal more versatility than other imported models and more storage options than UK-built lounge-only designs.

Backrests and scatter cushions mean that this is not just a bedroom with twin beds, but a lack of side windows and just a small roof vent mean that there’s a limited supply of daylight. You can open the windows in the rear doors if the weather’s not good enough to fling open the doors themselves, and a right-hand side lounge/bedroom window can be added as an option.

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