Knaus Van Ti 600 ME

The ’Van’ low-profile was originally fathered by Hymer, but these days several manufacturers offer similar – a testament to the the popularity of the type. The name refers to the fact that the layout is like that found in many panel van conversions. Advantages are mainly increased interior space, but the ability to have a proper garage – with an access door at the side – is an important factor. It’s also important that these ‘vans are slim, better for exploring those tempting country lanes.

EXTERIOR

The 600 ME provides twin single beds at the rear. Up front, the lounge stands opposite the kitchen, with the middle ground held by bathroom and wardrobe. On the outside, a very slim overcab is the key, and it slides very nicely into a subtly curved roofline that drops to a deeply sculpted rear panel. At the front, however, the Van TI has had radical surgery. The Ducato’s jutting front bumper has been changed – replaced by a shorter nose that incorporates LED running lights. It gives a neat, ‘tough truck’ look and it reduces overall length a bit too. Fiat provides 130bhp power, sitting on the lower Camper chassis, which also features a wide-track rear axle.
One external feature of note is the Service Box. A door gives access to a heated compartment that contains hook-up point, drain valves and the water tank, which features a hatch allowing internal cleaning. Finally, the garage is spacious with a low sill – a small detail, but one that’ll make loading easier.

INSIDE

Inside, styling is clean, fresh and modern, with curves in all the right places. Both lounge and kitchen are nicely illuminated by a Midi Heki rooflight and a large sunroof, and with cab seats turned, there’s room for four to sit in comfort and eat well too, thanks to a swing-out table extension that meets the occupant of the driver’s seat.
Aft of the habitation door there’s a niche with a handy shelf, but there’s more to this space than meets the eye. Pull a handle mounted above and you discover a drop-down TV bracket. Both neat and well-placed, this does a fantastic job of concealing your set. Another simple-but-clever feature is the switch in the cab, which provides on-site power to the stereo and turns on the speakers in the lounge.

The kitchen is best described as bijou – there’s a deep sink, but just a three-burner hob. Storage is good, however, with a big curved cupboard and large drawer below, a locker and cubby-shelves above. The fridge is decent – at 110 litres – and has the currently fashionable removable freezer box.

Three steps take you from lounge to bedroom, where the pair of singles is generously-sized – one is nearly 6ft 7in long, the other 6ft 3in.

The bathroom is a great piece of design, with a basin that swings away into the rear wall, leaving a large showering area. There’s also a big plastic storage cabinet with lots of sensible shelves with fiddle rails. But it’s the way that the bathroom works in conjunction with the bedroom and wardrobe that adds plenty of convenience and practicality. Twin tambour doors can enclose both the bathroom and wardrobe and the bedroom, thus creating an en suite dressing area – and privacy from the lounge and kitchen. The lack of conventional hinged doors makes it all much easier to use and nothing gets in your way.

A great take on the ‘Van’ concept that offers individual style, high levels of kit and a large garage – it should be on your must-see list.