Auto-Sleepers, Autocruise, Romahome, Wellhouse and Wheelhome

This motorhome review, featuring Auto-Sleepers, Autocruise, Romahome, Wellhouse and Wheelhome was published in the May 2012 issue of Which Motorhome. You can download the full magazine by clicking HERE

Thinking of downsizing your motorhome? We gathered five very different options together at Clumber Park to see the pros and cons of each

 
AUTO-SLEEPERS NUEVO ES

If you drive a coachbuilt you’ll feel right at home here, and be impressed by the latest black dash and the high spec with Auto-Sleepers’ Premium Pack. This is the first Euro V Boxer we’ve driven – deliveries have been behind their Fiat cousins – and the 130bhp 2.2HDi unit gives spritely performance for such a tall vehicle, especially up to 60mph. You can feel that height from behind the wheel, though, and combined with a short wheelbase it doesn’t feel as planted on the road as a modern low-chassis low-profile. All-round visibility is excellent, thanks to those big side windows and the short wheelbase actually made the Nuevo seem quite manoeuvrable in Sainsbury’s car park. A reversing camera in place of the centre mirror helps, too. And there are few on-road rattles.

  AUTOCRUISE JAZZ

Stepping from the Nuevo into the Jazz, there’s much that’s the same but so much that’s changed too. The Jazz feels smaller – much more so than than the 220mm length and 270mm width difference suggests. It’s not just the narrower body but the fact that it’s the same width front and back, while a lower seat increases the feeling that you’re driving a big car. It’s easy to see why first-time motorhome buyers feel more at home in a van conversion. Our Jazz demo was Fiat-based whereas 2012 production will be Peugeot-based. Nevertheless, you get an even higher spec cab here, with Bluetooth and the factory burr wood fascia. And you can keep the Fiat badge by opting to upgrade to a 148bhp motor and Comfort-Matic gearbox (for £2995).

 
ROMAHOME R20

You’d never think that the Romahome gives away 40bhp to the bigger Sevel-based motorhomes here. The 1.6HDi revs keenly and we’re up to 70mph in a remarkably short distance. It’s quiet, too, bar wind noise around the rear roof vent, and the Berlingo seems – unsurprisingly – much more like a car than the Boxer/Ducato pair. But our initial enthusiasm wanes when we spot the lack of air-con, cruise control or one-touch windows. The cab is basic. And while the Citroën’s performance is perky it can lean enough to spin a front wheel if you take a roundabout with gusto. It feels less wallowy than the bigger R25, but suits a relaxed pace. Potter around and you’ll probably better 40mpg. But we wouldn’t want to ride far in those rear travel seats.

WELLHOUSE HYUNDAI i800 CAMPER

 If the Romahome cab feels rather Spartan, the Hyundai spoils you with its upmarket ambience. But then this doesn’t start life as a van, but as a people-carrier. You can see – and feel – the difference with the leather-bound steering wheel and the aluminium-style centre console. On the road the i800 not only feels more car-like than its competition here, but more car-like than any other motorhome we can think of. This latest Euro V auto version is not only completely effortless but it’s a pleasure to drive. With easily the most power here, it’s no surprise that it’s the quickest; what did catch us unawares was how smooth and refined it was. The cab doors close with a lovely thunk, and the only downside is limited seat adjustment for tall drivers.

 
WHEELHOME SKAMPA
 

The lowest/shortest vehicle here, it’s easy to see the appeal of the Skarpa to use every day. In fact, with its original Fiat rear seat it’s probably the one we’d choose for the school run. Don’t be deceived, though, this LWB Doblo is much bigger than Wheelhome’s other (Fiat Fiorino) conversions, which really occupy a niche of their own. This is a more entertaining drive than the Fiorino, too, as well as being better than the Berlingo. It’s well equipped, and options like a 90bhp automatic and a 135bhp 2-litre mean it’ll appeal to a wide range of drivers. That long wheelbase (longer than the Nuevo’s!) means it feels very secure on the road, but conversely it’s probably slightly less easy to park than the Hyundai. Almost certainly the most economical of the bunch.

This motorhome review, featuring Auto-Sleepers, Autocruise, Romahome, Wellhouse and Wheelhome was published in the May 2012 issue of Which Motorhome. You can download the full magazine by clicking HERE