Auto-Sleepers Malvern

Four berth 7.29m long 548kg payload Mercedes Sprinter 316 LWB base 2.1-litre, 163bhp engine

The Sprinter has a bit of a reputation for being fairly wallowy to drive. I’ve heard this mentioned a few times and when camped on site during this test the first comment from a neighboring motorhomer was, “Doesn’t that sway around on the road?”

But I didn’t feel anything of the kind. It certainly doesn’t hug itself to the Tarmac like a fully laden wide-track Ducato would, for instance, but it never felt anything but precise.

In fact, driving along the smoother sections of our decaying motorway network (there are a few if you search long and hard enough), the ride was as smooth as you can possibly imagine. The suspension is forgiving of defects in the road and, on the whole, it’s a very pleasant experience.

It helps that all of the 163 horses can be whipped into action through the sublime seven-speed automatic. There is none of the lag that you get with the Ducato Comfort-Matic semi-auto and (thanks to the torque converter ’box) gearchanges in general are barely noticeable, unlike the lurch you often feel with the robotised manual ’boxes offered by Fiat (and others).

The slightly updated dashboard is clear and uncluttered and a plethora of cupholders is always good to see. Auto-Sleepers has added an understated selection of wood trim to further distance you from the utilitarian feel of the original Sprinter; a leather steering wheel would have added to the effect.

When it gets dark you will instantly appreciate the plethora of lighting that is fitted to the Malvern. It might have been prompted by the dark furniture but the interior lighting is brilliant. As you enter the ’van there is a switch just inside the door that deploys the step and illuminates the LED lighting that encompasses the entire lounge area. On its own this should suffice, but there are a number of roof-mounted lights, reading lights above the sofas and even tasteful little decorative units right at the front. It would take you a full minute or two to go around switching them all on!

No one should be disappointed with the kitchen in the Malvern. There is plenty of workspace for preparing dinner, as well as overhead lockers for food and crockery and plenty of cupboard and drawer space for everything else. Auto-Sleepers has fitted a Thetford Caprice oven with separate grill (including under-oven storage space for saucepans). This is topped by three gas burners and an electric hotplate. Just behind you is a very large fridge with separate freezer and microwave above.

This is a condensed version of the main review that appeared in the February 2015 edition of Which Motorhome.

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A very spacious and well-built two-berth motorhome with a thoroughly British style. The Mercedes base is a sprightly performer and the seven-speed auto is fantastic.