Hobby Siesta A55 GS Sport

Prices from: £49,414 Price as tested: £49,414 Belted travel seats: 4 Berths:3 (optional 4) Type Approval: European Whole Vehicle

The traditional overcab coachbuilt (with the lofty space above the cab devoted to a large double bed) is starting to become something of a rarity, thanks to the increasing popularity of low-profile alternatives.

The reasons for this are several, including the better motorway handling and suggested fuel economy that goes with a low-profile shape, plus the fact that bed designs are becoming cleverer, with A-class-style drop-down beds now being fitted to more and more low-profile models.

Perhaps because of this vehicle’s unusually short length, the large overcab on the new Hobby Siesta A55 GS Sport seems to stand out even more than usual, making it a distinctive-looking vehicle with its contrasting coloured cab. The reason for the ‘Sport’ tag on this model is because of the large rear storage area, which offers plenty of space to stow sporting equipment such as a couple of cycles, surfboards, etc, with easy access thanks to the tall access hatch on the offside rear corner.

The Hobby also has a generous payload – at 748kg – so there’s scope to even fit a lightweight scooter in this garage, though you’ll need add some sort of ramp. If you’re not carrying cycles, this space can instead be used for a rear single bunk, giving a total of three berths (combined with the overcab double).

Cab

Fitted with high-back captain’s style seats, the cab is a pleasant place to sit. There’s a fair amount of headroom and easy access to the rear, since the rear half of the overcab bed base can be pushed into the front of the luton space.

The standard engine is Fiat’s 2.3-litre Multijet, with 130bhp on tap, driving through a six-speed manual gearbox. In such a small coachbuilt, this is plenty of power, but the large overcab results in a bit more buffeting in motorway crosswinds than would be found in most low-profile models. Having said that, the short rear overhang aids stability, with less sideways swaying motion when driving past large trucks.

For the UK market, a radio/CD player will also be fitted.

Living area

Once you arrive at your chosen campsite, the Hobby quickly converts into relaxation mode, after swivelling both cab seats to face the living space. Fully rotated, they overlook a clip-on table plus a half-dinette with two three-point seatbelts. The tabletop is fairly large and comes with an additional swivel-out extension, which takes it right across towards the kitchen on the opposite side.

The dinette area has a large opening side window, plus a small rooflight, but it’s a bit dark when compared to the living areas in some low-profiles with overcab sunroofs. A couple of LED spotlamps under the side lockers can be used to increase the brightness, plus there’s also a large central LED lamp in the roof.

Kitchen

The rather small kitchen is perhaps the most disappointing area in this particular Siesta model. This is at the offside front, opposite the dinette. Facilities include a three-burner gas hob and a three-way fridge. Due to the small size of the vehicle, Hobby does not offer an oven as an option (as it does in other models).

Storage is provided by a couple of overhead lockers, plus a cutlery drawer and three extra drawers. There’s an opening window for ventilation plus a couple of LED spotlamps to brighten things up. In addition, a single three-pin mains socket provides the facility to plug in a kettle or toaster, but this is placed to the side of the kitchen unit, in the doorway, so you’ll have to be careful not to knock the lead when you enter the ’van.

Work surface is quite limited and could only have been increased if a fold-up flap had been fitted on the end of the kitchen. However, this would block the door, so was probably not fitted on safety grounds.

Washroom

In line with many continental motorhomes, the washroom in the Siesta is more impressive than its kitchen. It takes the form of a large cubicle on the nearside, in front of the bunk. There’s a large central shower tray, with its own mixer tap and showerhead, but you need to use a shower curtain to prevent the rest of the washroom being splashed when showering.

There’s no window, but steam can escape through a mini Heki rooflight.

The washroom also boasts a swivel cassette toilet with electric flush, plus a fair-sized washbasin. There’s also a good amount of storage, including a floor-level locker with a tambour door, plus a mirror-fronted wall locker and a wire shelf.
If you don’t mind a clingy shower curtain, this is good set-up overall that should be perfect for a sporting family, with the ability to have a quick shower and change into warm clothes after that Tour-de-France-style cycle ride!

This article is an extract from a longer piece in March 2014 MMM. To buy your own copy and read in full, click here.

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If you’re after a motorhome that’s small and easy to drive and has travel seats and beds for four, plus good storage for sporting gear, then this Siesta Sport is hard to beat. On the downside, the small kitchen might also be a feel
a bit spartan for some.