Westfalia James Cook campervan

Berths: 2/4 Travel seats: 4 Base vehicle: Mercedes Sprinter Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: TBC

Although not so well-known in the UK, the Westfalia James Cook is a legend in its German homeland. For decades it has been regarded as, perhaps, the benchmark for luxury van conversions. And it has always been based on a Mercedes-Benz panel van.

However, the last James Cook was discontinued in 2013, with the promise that when a new Mercedes Sprinter van debuted, a fourth-generation James Cook camper would follow.

For the first time, the new model comes with three different body variants, although each starts life as a 5.93m-long rear-wheel drive Sprinter. The first derivative has the original Mercedes steel high roof, and in this instance the James Cook offers four travel seats and two berths.

The second alternative has a pop-up roof, which adds another double bed up top (just like some Fiat-based Westfalias). The top model, however, is the classic James Cook with Westfalia’s own GRP high roof which incorporates a roof bed.

Common to all models is the new rear Slide-Out System developed by Westfalia. In less than 40 seconds, a module moves outwards at the back of the motorhome, creating a bedroom 2.07m long and more than 1.40m wide. The slide-out allows a large bed (with easier lengthways access) in a sub-six-metre van conversion – and without the ungainly side pods added to other Mercedes-based conversions to create more room for the bed.

Another significant innovation is the new central control element developed jointly with Mercedes-Benz. All the functions of the motorhome can be controlled via the touchscreen in the cockpit, the control panel in the living room or even via remote control using your smartphone.

As befits Westfalia’s flagship model, built on a Mercedes Sprinter, the James Cook is expected to carry a hefty price tag. Depending on spec, you could be looking at spending £80,000 to £100,000.

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