Bentley Indigo - first look

When Gordon and Richard Bentley announced their intention to launch their own range, they instantly acquired a customer base of those who remembered them fondly from their days at Autocruise. Potential buyers knew that immaculate build quality would go hand in hand with top quality customer service. But would the finished product live up to expectations?

This question was quickly answered when after being in business for only a year, Bentley’s Indigo was announced as the overall winner of the 2011 Caravan Club Design and Drive Competition.

The high-quality range of narrow bodied, low-profile coachbuilts has quickly established a niche in the market – appealing not only to down-sizers, but also to those who feel ready to make the move upwards from a van conversion, whilst still retaining the small-vehicle driving experience.

The Renault Trafic 2.0dCi has proved to be a popular choice of base vehicle, allowing the option of the Quickshift automatic gearbox. The Renault is well matched to this type of compact, low-profile body, retaining a small-van feel, while providing the extra space and facilities that van-conversion upgraders require. Its width makes it driveway-friendly and it sits well on the road, nipping up inclines with ease, yet still comfortably achieving 30mpg.

The 6.2m long vehicle offers a 405kg payload and two berths; either two generously-sized 6ft 6in long singles or one 6ft 6in by 5ft wide double.

However, it is the build quality that is the real winner here, with solidly built furniture, with cupboard doors that stay firmly shut while driving as well as being free from squeaks or rattles.

High quality and compact low profile Indigo model offers good build qaulity and award-winning design.