Bailey Autograph 79-4 T

Berths: 4 Travel seats: 4 Base vehicle: Peugeot Boxer Gross weight: 3,850kg Payload: 458kg

Last summer, Bailey launched a whole new range of Autograph motorhomes, dropping the Approach prefix of its predecessor and taking the Bristol brand further upmarket.

The new line-up also includes some brand-new layouts, such as this 79-4 T – the ‘T’ referring to twin beds. The ‘79’ part of the designation indicates a substantial overall length of 7.99m, while the Bailey is also wider than all of its key rivals, at 2.49m. You can feel the extra breadth the moment you step inside.

Before you step aboard, you’ll see the completely new exterior design, which is a lot sharper, especially at the rear. There are new LED tail-lights, an Aero Style Fiamma awning, new double-seal exterior access hatches with compression locks, plus an exterior barbecue point.

The Peugeot cab comes with the latest 160bhp Euro VI engine and six-speed manual gearbox. ESP is now standard, as are fully adjustable driver and passenger seats with twin armrests. And the Boxer cab is mated to a wide-track ultra-low Al-Ko chassis, which keeps overall height down for a more secure feel on the road.

Inside, the latest Baileys are a complete contrast to their forebears. New Mendip Ash furniture is combined with Basalt Stone worktops, contemporary high-gloss overhead locker doors and satin-finish soft-close drawers. The push-to-open top lockers come with gas struts and split-level storage, while large doors open onto spacious split-level storage.

The 79-4 T layout features a front lounge with L-settee, swivel cab seats and a small inward-facing seat. An ovoid table sits on twin legs and stores away safely in a dedicated locker for travel. The lounge converts into a lengthways double bed using Bailey’s DreamSleep system. This allows shaped backrests, while multi-layered cushions unfold to make a flat bed base.

The central galley includes a Thetford Duplex oven and grill with electronic ignition, and a dual-fuel hob with electric hotplate and three gas burners. The stainless-steel sink comes with a swan-neck mixer tap, washing-up bowl, drainer and chopping board. Above the fridge is an 800W microwave at eye level.

Opposite the kitchen, the bathroom includes a new Granite Stone finish separate shower cubicle, as well as a pedestal-type washbasin with ceramic ball mixer tap. Standard washroom features also include a retractable clothes line, shower mat and duckboard.

Completing the layout, and the key reason to buy the 79-4 T, is the end bedroom with fixed single beds with aluminium frames and gas struts assisted opening mechanisms. The beds are set low for easy access, so this is not a garage-type floorplan.

Finally, a big plus of all of the new Autograph range is the Alde Hydronic 3020 programmable radiator heating system with touchscreen control panel, and 3.4kW gas and 3kW electric output.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read the full version and more in the May 2017 issue of What Motorhome magazine.

You can get a digital version of this latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.