WildAx Proteus campervan

Base vehicle: Ford Transit Custom Price from: £51,675 (ex-works) Berths: 4 Travel seats: 4 Length: 4.97m Width: 2.08m Height: 2.01m Gross weight: 3,000kg Payload: 475kg

WildAx is best known for its Fiat Ducato/Citroën Relay van conversions, offered in a variety of layouts. However, since its acquisition by Rapido, it has moved into new sectors – both upmarket and bigger with the Mercedes Sprinter-based Elara and downsizing (Ford-based Triton).

The Triton took this converter into the campervan sector with a compact pop-top model, but its unconventional layout, complex bed make-up and long-wheelbase base vehicle will not suit everyone.

The Proteus is the second Transit Custom conversion to emerge from the Elland factory but it is far more conventional and uses the sub-5m short-wheelbase van that is more appropriate for daily driver duties.

WildAx uses the Ford in its mid-range Trend spec with the 128bhp (130PS) diesel engine and six-speed manual gearbox (an automatic is available for an additional £1,750).

As a Trend model it is fitted as standard with air-con, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, cornering lights, DAB radio with Bluetooth, heated windscreen, automatic lights and wipers, and Emergency Brake Assist.

Externally, it comes with metallic paint but alloy wheels are a £600 option if you want the 16in Ford items shown or £995 for 18in aftermarket rims. There’s a typical rear-hinged elevating roof with front window and side flyscreen vents – closed it keeps overall height down to 2.01m.

A roof bed is also included as standard and, importantly if adults are planning to kip here, the 1.90m by 1.15m mattress sits on plastic springs.

Down below, the leather upholstery seen here is a £795 option but swivels for both front seats are standard. There’s a sliding system on the rear bench, too, so it can be moved forward to bring passengers closer to the cab and increase boot space or slid back to maximise floor space. It is worth noting that several of the lockers can only be opened if the seat is not blocking access.

The bench comes with Isofix mountings for two child seats as well as three seatbelts but, at just 1.08m wide, it will be a tight squeeze for a trio. At night the seat folds down easily to create a completely flat bed measuring 1.88m by 1.11m max.

Unusually, there is no window at the rear nearside – instead there’s a slim bedside cabinet here as well as a small top locker.

The offside kitchen looks stylish in its duo-tone pale wood/white finish – the 40-litre Vitrifrigo compressor fridge is even hidden behind a door so as not to interrupt the lines. There’s a combination two-burner hob and sink unit with glass lids, while three drawers provide practical storage and 12V and 230V sockets are fitted next to a reasonably large worktop. Another 230V socket and twin USBs are fitted on the nearside.

Lighting includes an LED strip over the galley, mood lighting under the countertop and two flexible wand reading lights that can serve either the cab chairs or the roof bed.

For dining, there’s a large free-standing table that stores on the underside of the rear section of mattress, while a smaller coffee table on a cranked leg is provided for the cab seats.