153-163 live-in test · luminous silver, with pale blue and grey swoopy graphics. I liked the shape of its restyled roof and I liked the windows, which are blacked out in the right

LIVE-IN TEST REPORT

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In August last year, Ian Capes, CEO of Auto-Sleepers Group, announced that the company had merged with the European motorhome

conglomerate SeA Group. Italian-based SeA is best known for its Mobilvetta, Elnagh and McLouis brands. It also manufactures Miller, Joint, Dream and SeA.

It will be interesting to see what effect this broadening of Auto-Sleepers’ horizons will have on this traditionally British company. Will its distinct Englishness be watered down? Or will the merger give it the confidence and financial clout to push onwards to distil and improve what is arguably already a desirable product in Britain?

The opportunity to make use of Volkswagen’s new T5, with its slightly lengthened and resculpted body, is one to be grabbed by motorhome

manufacturers. This refined vehicle is the base of choice for motorhome drivers reluctant to forego the pleasures of driving a car.

THE RIGHT CUT?The Topaz is a two-berth high top, with a choice of two single beds or a double, mid kitchen, and end washroom. Its size limits its carrying capacity, which makes it more suitable for a couple of weeks touring rather than long-term travelling. It would also make an excellent weekender. Our editor will now, of course, be deluged with readers’ letters pointing out that they toured for three years in something half the size with two kids and a Labrador!

It was love at first sight with the Topaz; it’s just gorgeous. I liked the colour, an almost

A GEM REPOLISHEDAuto-Sleeper Topaz on 2.5TDI VW T5 Kombi

MOTORCARAVAN MOTORHOME MONTHLY JULY 2006 I 153

luminous silver, with pale blue and grey swoopy graphics. I liked the shape of its restyled roof and I liked the windows, which are blacked out in the right places to obscure anything less than interesting from the outside. And lastly, I loved the alloy wheels. The Topaz reminds me of a super-fit cyclist wearing the latest go-faster helmet. Yes, it can live in my garage anytime!

Externally, the locking freshwater filler lives on the nearside and the waste and freshwater drain taps are under the nearside valance. When you need to fill up with diesel you’ll only have to open a cab door to access the fuel filler. A neat little stop on the filler cover, which is trapped by the passenger’s door, obviates the need for a key.

Decorating the offside are fridge vents, the Truma water heater flue and the electric hook-up point. They’d all look better if they were colour-matched to the body rather than the standard white plastic.

Under an attractive rear end (which is equipped with a heated rear screen and wiper), is hung the spare wheel.

A new look for an Auto-Sleeper classic. Di Johnson scrutinised the changes

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154 I JULY 2006 MOTORCARAVAN MOTORHOME MONTHLY

All these white plastic parts would look far better if they were colour-matched to the body. The fuel filler cover is held closed by the passenger door, obviating the need for a key.

The key fob’s central locking button is a welcome sight - something we have all grown to expect on our cars. Thankfully, this feature is now fitted on many motorhomes as standard.

‘DIAMOND’ DRIVE? With a length of 5.39 metres (17ft 8in) and a good turning circle, the Topaz has good parking credentials, which will appeal to potential sole vehicle purchasers. Slipping into the driver’s seat (on the forecourt of Marquis Berkshire), my struggle with the sticking sliding mechanism of the driver’s seat had me panicking about the ignominy of having to find a cushion to reach the pedals. However, the slider was new and stiff, and finally, with help, I got the seat into a good driving position.

Both front seats are lavished with two upholstered armrests, plus rake, height and lumbar adjustment. Eee! Luxury. The steering wheel can be moved up and down, and in and out, to suit your requirements.

Aha! But what’s this big lumpy knob resplendent on the wood-effect trim of the dashboard, I wondered? This Topaz was fitted with the optional Tiptronic gearbox: gosh!

I’ve always been against this innovation (automatic transmission, I mean), partly because I like the tactile experience of getting a nice smooth gear change. I’m careful with my

pennies and I’ve always understood automatics use more fuel - something that also eats further into our planet’s precious fossil fuel reserves.

However, after getting into narrow byways as quickly as possible, the advantages of not needing to bother with either the clutch or gearlever rapidly sank in. Backslider that I am, I think it was after the third village that I became a fanatical convert. After all, you buy a motorhome to travel and see the sights and, if you’re not distracted by changing gear, there’s more chance to admire the scenery. So, my ecological principles evaporated in a puff of dust from the tyres.

If economy is your prime concern then you would probably not buy an automatic, but if a turn of speed interests, then I can tell you the S on the gearlever promises excitement. This gives a racier driving style. With ‘sport’ mode selected the Topaz felt impressively quicker. (Just for the sake of the test you understand, I had to try it out. Then, I thought I’d better try it out again to make doubly sure there’s a difference!)

It puzzled me why anyone would pay a shedload of extra dosh for an automatic and then need Tiptronic to give them back control of the gearchange. However, there’s little braking assistance from the engine when in automatic. But when the lever is in D (drive) you can override the automatic mode by moving

AUTO-SLEEPER TOPAZ ON 2.5TDI VW T5 KOMBION TEST:

the lever into a second (Tiptronic) shift gate. This permits, for example, changing down on winding mountain roads to increase the braking effect of the engine. Or, if you’re a Clarkson, a particularly sporty driving style.

Peter, my tall husband, used to find our Trident (based on the T4) very uncomfortable to drive, partly due to the furniture being built too close to the rear of the driving seat. He had no such problems with the Topaz. We both enjoyed, and were comfortable, driving the T5.

The wood-effect trim on the dashboard will please those who appreciate such adornments, while there’ll be no excuse for losing your sunglasses in this VW. A neat little device, where a handle to help those less able usually resides (above the driver’s door), proved to be a spectacle case with a lovely, damped closing action.

SOPHISTICATED AMBIENCE ‘Nice’ is how I would describe the interior’s appearance; damning with faint praise perhaps, but its middle-of-the-road ‘niceness’ will offend no one and amaze fewer. Whilst updated, it hasn’t wholeheartedly embraced modern fabric colours and design. A good strategy, perhaps; it would be a foolish company indeed that alienates its loyal following.

The kitchen is faced in wood-effect, with the lounge upholstery in mid blue with a subtle pale biscuit-coloured pattern. This colour comes as standard, but if you want something different you can have it as an option. A plain version of the upholstery fabric adorns the high shelves with hessian-effect stick-on fabric around it. The plastic mouldings are, well, ‘pale cream’ and the roof area’s padded material is in blotchy ivory. The washroom is all low maintenance cream mouldings and should be easy to keep clean.

LUXURY LOUNGE? I entered the Topaz through the sliding door on the nearside. An inset step means no messing with the fold-away variety. With its lengthways dinette settee, forward-facing single seat (fitted with a three-point seat belt) and two fully swivelling front seats, the Topaz could travel with three safely aboard.

When a camper is used as a sole vehicle, a seatbelt in the rear for friends or family is crucial.

I found it difficult to get comfortable on the forward-facing rear seat. I couldn’t reach the floor (as is the case with me in most other ‘vans) and the squab was too long for my thighs (and even Peter’s). This was despite the backrest cushion’s loose fitting, enabling some adjustment. I had to

In the smart T5 cab, both front seats have two upholstered armrests, plus rake and lumbar adjustment.INSET TOP: The optional Tiptronic gearbox adds another dimension to the driving experience.INSET: No excuse for ever losing your sunglasses.

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LIVE-IN TEST REPORT

The front end features a lounge with side sofa and takes full advantage of swivelling cab seats. Blue upholstery comes as standard but different colours can be had as an optional extra.

The very English interior displays a split kitchen, and a washroom through twin sliding doors to the rear.

AUTO-SLEEPER TOPAZ ON 2.5TDI VW T5 KOMBI


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The grippy patches on the rear bumper make the tailgate a practical exit.

There’s plenty of room for a weekend’s groceries in the fridge, while beyond is a pull-out larder with a safe place for bottles - it’s a must-have for us wine gluggers!

A three-point seatbelt is fitted to the forward-facing single seat.

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resort to a pillow behind to get comfortable. The side settee was equally knotty. Its

problems were of the opposite sort, I found the seat was too short. With the backrest removed and a pillow substituted I was comfortable, especially when I had a box to put my feet on.

On the end of the offside high-level locker is a smart, modern black-and-shiny metal 230V socket, with a partner fixed to the corner of the settee base. Sharing the space on this locker is a smoke alarm, which I duly set off when bacon and egging; I’ve just got to test these systems you understand. On the nearside high-level locker is a 12V socket.

Deploying the two fully-swivelling cab seats improves comfort. Though there’s no gap between the driver’s seat and settee, this could be seen as an advantage for those of us who like to put our feet up to relax. We found that it was in the cab seats that we spent most of our campsite time.

A compact, driver-friendly motorhome with good fuel consumption is bound to have its compromises. The single-glazed sliding main

windows, in the lounge, were slightly below my eye line when seated.

The windows seemed small, probably due to the heavy mouldings carrying the concertina cassette blinds. Once again the best position is in the cab where the windows are slightly higher and you can survey the views.

Peter was glad of the full standing headroom throughout. But what really lifts the ambience of the lounge is the Seitz Heki roof light. It’s the sort that you wind up - and it makes such a difference on dull, dreary days.


ELEGANT EATING There are plenty of alternatives for the partaking of victuals. Two tables are available, one small (of the cranked swivelling leg variety), which stores in the wardrobe, and one larger one (with a centre leg), which has a home above the cab. Careful thought has to be given to how and when you arrange your meals, as with both tables erected it’s difficult to move around inside.

The tables are interchangeable so you could choose to eat with the larger table between the passenger seat and the forward-facing rear.

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LIVE-IN TEST REPORT

I see it as an advantage that there’s no gap between the driver’s seat and settee, especially as here where feet-up lounging is a welcome luxury.

There are two tables to choose from but once erected they can be in the way.

Now that’s what I call a sink - the deep drainer makes it great. Why can’t they all be made like this?

Though I admire the white and platinum crockery it takes up loads of space. Access to the shelf beneath would be improved if the lump of deep trim above it were removed.

Piezo spark ignition is provided for the hob and grill. I wondered what was behind the wood to the right of the grill; some useful storage space perhaps?


Conversely, you could cosy up side-by-side on the settee, using the larger table. It’s only when you’re trying to feed three that things get more intricate and no last-minute trips to the toilet would be tolerated by the cook once dinner is served.

Realistically, the Topaz will probably be used by two. This would allow one of the tables to be left at home, freeing up some valuable storage space. I would choose a compromise. Reducing the size of the large table would give you a greater degree of flexibility in moving around the interior, while this strategy would save a little storage space.

Several times during our stay at Four Oaks Caravan Club site near Henley, I resorted to exiting the ‘van by way of the top-hinged rear tailgate. When you have the tables erected, it’s better to use this door and walk around the outside if you’ve left your handbag in the cab. I was happy to use this route as there are two grippy protection strips on the bumper, which help make this is a practical access point. Closing the door, when coming in from this direction is a bit tricky, but I managed it OK several times.

Above the front seats are small spotlights to illuminate your novel or culinary efforts. On


either side of the lounge, above the sliding door and the window opposite, are two efficient inset striplights. Installed on the ceiling above the lounge and kitchen are two, more stylish, strips. The lighting is very effective with plenty of options.

PREPARING THE COLLATION Auto-Sleepers understands the British need to be able to do the washing-up in the motorhome. Them ‘foreigners’ prefer to take their clobber over to the camp wash-up sinks to deal with the aftermath of a meal, but in Britain we like to have the option of doing it in the ‘van, especially

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The Topaz features a commendably flat double bed but its shortish length might prove a problem for some.

when it’s chucking it down.With this in mind the designers of the Topaz

have provided us with a decent stainless steel draining space and washing-up bowl. It’s embossed with a slightly textured finish, which seems to prevent things skidding about as much as they might. The bowl is also large enough to accept a frying pan or big saucepan.

A glass lid drops down to cover the sink, and a separate stylish mixer tap is installed beside it in the worktop. To enable the lid to be closed, you must swing the tap back over the narrow strip of worktop. The tap spout carries its own small burden of water which will, in the fullness of time, drop its little load onto your worktop. Helpfully, Auto-Sleepers has supplied a small end-stop to prevent this from happening. Try to guess, dear reader, how many times I blissfully turned on the tap without removing this useful device!

Under the sink, behind a bottom-hinged door, is a pull-out cutlery drawer with some extra space beside it for utensils. The metal handle on the door provides somewhere to hang tea towels. Below that is a 60-litre fridge with freezer compartment. Beside it is a pullout wire shelf unit with space (and restraints) in the bottom for two wine bottles.

Aircraft-style overhead lockers with a small shelf under, on either side of the kitchen, are where you must find space for light provisions. This is not easy, as the offside locker contains Auto-Sleepers’ excellent crockery in bespoke recesses. Much as I admire the white china, with its platinum line around the edge, it does take up a lot of room. This makes it difficult to store anything else here.

My other bone of contention is the nylon restraining straps. At my height, getting the plates out of the cupboard without damage, and

without letting the straps come free from their tensioning slots, is a trial. (Once they have their freedom, the task of getting the straps back in the right place is also a struggle; possibly not helped by my lack of height.) Never mind, at least Auto-Sleepers has tried to make sure the crockery can survive some rough travel (and not many others provide real ceramic tableware).

The restricted height of the shelf underneath frustrated me. Between the shelf and the cupboard is a large decorative moulding. If this were removed the size of the access aperture would be much larger, making it a useful place for small plastic containers of tea, coffee and sugar (or suchlike).

On the nearside lies a glass-covered two-burner Smev hob, over a grill. Both have piezo spark ignition and I found them easy to light. For those in a hurry the right-hand burner is faster, with the other good for simmering. The grill pan is a good size and boasts a non-stick coating.

Under the grill is the main provisions and pot cupboard, with two side-hinged doors giving good access. I noticed that, to the right of the grill, there is possibly some wasted space. If it were my ‘van I’d want to know if there were any necessary bits of equipment in there - or just an empty, exploitable, void behind the woodwork.

Above the hob is another top-hinged overhead locker, containing four wine glasses (real glass) restrained by spring-clips. Well, we started with four but a collision during washing-up spelled the early demise of one of them. This cupboard will be useful for lighter provisions, and it also has beneath it what will be yet another under-utilised shelf, due to its restricted-height opening.

On either side of the ‘van, above sink and hob, are low windows fitted with concertina blinds which, although small, add considerably

to the natural light in the kitchen. And, as the sink cover is glass, it doesn’t obscure the light coming from the window when raised. Though only tiny, this kitchen is surprisingly workable.

It’s my belief that Auto-Sleepers has shortened the bed and increased the size of the kitchen. With an enlarged sink and improved worktop area beside the hob, Topaz aficionados will notice the difference, but tall sleepers might well complain.

DOUBLE OR SINGLE TONIGHT? Many couples change their ‘van, just to get the sleeping arrangements they find they prefer. There seem to be two camps; one insists on a double bed, another wouldn’t dream of putting up with anything less than singles. Personally, I like the option of both, if possible. Only when it’s blisteringly hot do we take the singles option, but it’s nice to know it’s there if you need it.

The Topaz gives couples the choice, but deciding on singles brings with it some advantages. However, first I’ll explain how the beds are assembled. Let’s jump in the deep end and start with the double.

Firstly, swivel both front seats; achievable, but by no means easy with the driving seat. Then, release a catch on the base of the forward-facing rear seat. The base slides forward easily to meet up with the passenger seat. Pulling it forward allows the back to drop.

The bed before you is flat but for the front seat, which droops slightly. From the cupboard above the cab, retrieve two wedge-shaped cushions. These fit onto the front seats, cleverly and effectively flattening them to match the rest of the bed.

Now release the catch on the base of the settee and pull into the middle of the ‘van. The back flattens to reveal an extra cushion behind


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LIVE-IN TEST REPORT

Twin single beds make a good sleeping choice in this compact ‘van.



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Twin sliding doors separate an easy-clean washroom from the rest of the interior. The wardrobe is located in here too.

The cranked-leg table stows in the wardrobe with the cab black-out/insulating screens.

it. This is all very easy to achieve. You have what looks like a double, apart from the gap between the two front seats. It’s now time to go back to the overcab storage to pull out an upholstered bench with two drop-down legs. This apparatus fills the gap, admittedly not too solidly, but since you’ll only have your feet resting on it, it’s not a concern.

You now have a flatter than average double bed, but the length at its longest point (the passenger side) is 1.8m (5ft 11in). Bit of a problem here, my husband is 6ft 1in... He’s not one to complain and the level of snoring coming from his side of the bed indicated that he must have had some sleep. Be advised, the Topaz is not a ‘van of choice for six-footers.

The next night at Four Oaks (I only found one ancient oak, where are the other three?) we tried the singles. This is a simpler arrangement. Lose the backrest from the settee (if you upend it in the washroom there’s still room for a night-time visit) and swivel both front seats. Flatten the forward-facing rear seat and put the two wedge-shaped cushions on the front seats.

Using two singles allows you to leave behind the upholstered bench with two drop-down legs, and, in a small camper, the space it vacates is precious. We tried using the beds without the wedge-shaped cushions to save further space, but found their contribution to our comfort was such that they earned their keep.

Whilst it’s possible to get to the toilet with the double bed made up, keeping to the two singles layout makes it much easier. You can even make yourself a cup of tea (if the snoring is keeping you awake) without much disturbance of your partner.

A SUPER SHOWER Passing through the kitchen to the rear of the ‘van, you enter the washroom. So many motorhomes have washroom doors that are an absolute pain to shut, or open for that matter. They flap about, don’t close properly or you can see through them. Oh, and many take up far too much room.

The Topaz has sliding doors between

the kitchen and washroom that are real star performers. They are so discreet you wouldn’t even notice them until needed. Two bulkheads, with a slot between, provide space for the doors to virtually disappear. Just two, small-but-effective catches show that the doors are there at all. One of the door edges has a metal slot along its length; the other door has a tongue. These fit together perfectly. Brilliant! Well done, Auto-Sleepers.

This is very much a moulded bathroom with cream its colour theme. With a bench cassette toilet on the nearside and drop-down basin above it, you are provided with a practical layout. I like bench-style loos. The valve control is in a much more accessible position than a swivel cassette toilet, and its recessed toilet roll holder is tucked out of harm’s way.

When emptying the cassette, open the rear door, remove a panel from the side of the toilet and pull the cassette out to the rear. Simple and, I would think, a lot cheaper than making yet another hole in the side of the vehicle.

Drop-down basins seem to bear the brunt of a lot of criticism, but they do have advantages in a small washroom; space saving being the biggest, of course. Their other plus point is that they’re a decent size. Whilst they always feel on the flimsy side (it would not be a good idea to lean on them heavily), this delicate feel would encourage careful use. Most of the time they are folded up out of the way and this space-saving trick is probably their biggest benefit.

The basin has a shiny mixer tap which is independent of the mixer tap/showerhead, and toothbrush holders are built into the moulding of the basin. Above the sink is a small cabinet with sliding mirrored doors but I found these doors a bit fiddly to operate. Beneath the basin is a useful deep compartment with a drop-down door. There was plenty of room for two overstuffed washbags and more in here.

The showerhead is in the nearside corner and a high, moulded shelf with fiddle-rod runs above the rear door. On the floor of the washroom is a ribbed mat. This is a much better


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LIVE-IN TEST REPORT

Beneath the settee there’s space for bedding. The battery, water and space heaters, reside here under a screwed-down cover.


circuit breakers and the residual current device (a unit that helps to stop electrocution in the event of a dangerous fault). These are commonly known by the acronyms MCB and RCD. Also stowed under the settee are the leisure battery and the water heater. Water and waste tanks are underslung on the offside.

A CLASSIC RECUT?The Topaz is a very attractive ‘van which drew admiring glances by the score as we drove through Henley. It’s real eye-candy and, although marginally longer than the previous T4-based Topaz, it’s still parkable in most spaces

solution than removable carpet. We found we frequently used the rear door for coming and going, so the mat saved the GRP wet-room floor of the washroom from the scouring effects of grit. A towel ring, domed ceiling light, liquid soap dispenser (strangely positioned on the far side of the washroom) and plastic curtaining complete the washroom’s amenities.

When you’ve had your shower, finding clean clothes is a doddle, as the small wardrobe takes up the other side of the washroom. Above the wardrobe is a further cupboard which suffers a bit from the dreaded mouldings disease. That’s to say, you could get a lot more in if the corner spaces weren’t so blinking well rounded. It’s easy to clean, but I’d rather have the space.

THE IMPORTANT BITS Space heating is provided by an Eberspacher diesel-fired heater, fuelled from the vehicle’s tank. This is not the quietest heater but it’s effective and saves precious gas supplies. The heater’s control is positioned on the offside wall in the lounge with the exhaust exiting from a pipe outside. The whiff of diesel exhaust can sometimes waft into the interior if you leave the wrong window open.

When on site you can make use of the mains electric water heater, but all is not lost if camping without hook-up, as gas operation is possible too. The control panel for this device is near the base of the settee in the middle of the ‘van. Both the space and water heating controls are simple to operate.

A 12V control unit, with water tank and battery level indicators, is positioned above the doorway to the washroom. A rocker switch allows you to test the vehicle and leisure batteries. There’s no indicator for waste water levels on the panel - but pump, lights and master isolators are included there.

Secreted under the settee are two miniature

allocated for cars. If you’re in the market for a second vehicle, it might make economic sense to choose a Topaz as it won’t depreciate at the speed of light, like normal cars or fun vehicles. It’s a recognised and valued British brand, which means when it’s time to part with your old friend, you shouldn’t be too shocked by the dealer’s part exchange offer.

The Topaz might make a good motorhome for you if you wish to use it as a sole, or dual-purpose, vehicle. The proviso is that you’re of average height. If this is the case, and you really enjoy driving, it’s worth giving it some serious consideration.


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WE LIKED• External appearance• Automatic gearbox option• Smooth, powerful engine• Large sink and drainer• Washroom• Hob with spark ignition

WE WOULD HAVE LIKED• Longer and softer beds

• A different storage location for the small table

• Kitchen tap that doesn’t dribble when travelling

WE DISLIKED• Impractical shapes of lockers

and oddment shelves• Shape and proportion of rear

travelling seat

SUMMARY SPECIFICATIONTHE VEHICLE ■ Base vehicle and engine type: VW T5 Transporter Kombi LWB, 2.5-litre

common-rail turbocharged and intercooled five-cylinder diesel engine ■ Output: 96kW (130bhp) @ 3500rpm ■ Max torque: 340Nm (251lb ft) @ 2000rpm ■ Gearbox and drive: Six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, fascia-

mounted selector, front-wheel drive ■ Brakes: Dual-circuit, all-round self-adjusting discs with servo-assistance,

ABS, EBD ■ Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion ■ Suspension: Front: Independent MacPherson struts, offset coil springs,

telescopic hydraulic dampers, anti-roll bar. Rear: miniblock coil springs with semi-trailing arms, telescopic dampers

■ Tyres fitted: Michelin Pilot Premacy XSE 235/55 R17 103Y ■ Spare wheel position: In cradle under rear ■ Fuel tank capacity/type of fuel: 80 litres (17.6 gallons) diesel ■ Instruments: Speedometer with trip and mileage display, tachometer,

coolant temperature, fuel gauge, digital clock ■ Warning lamps: Airbag fault, seat belt warning, ASR, ABS fault,

indicators/hazards, coolant warning, brake pad wear, fuel level, oil pressure, front or sliding door open, tailgate open, engine oil level low, rear fog light, alternator charge, handbrake on, exhaust emission warning, electronic immobiliser, diesel pre-heat, headlight main beam, washer fluid level

■ Windscreen wiper controls: Stalk-mounted control operation: slow, fast, interval and flick wipes, intermittent wipe for rear, and wash options

■ Immobiliser/alarm: Ignition key activated electronic immobiliser. No alarm fitted

■ Other features: Radio/cassette player, ASR, twin airbags, lockable

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LIVE-IN TEST REPORT AUTO-SLEEPER TOPAZ ON 2.5TDI VW T5 KOMBI


glovebox, five cubby holes, oddments tray on dash, twin door pockets, twin arm rests, adjustable top seatbelt mountings, heated rear screen, electric mirrors and windows

PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMY ■ Achieved 30-50 mph acceleration time: 6 seconds ■ Fuel consumption during test: 33mpg overall THE CARAVAN ■ Body type and construction: Kombi window van with moulded GRP

high top roof ■ Insulation: Sides, roof and floor 8mm (3M Thinsulate)■ Conversion NCC badged as EN1646 compliant: Yes■ Warranty: Base vehicle three years, conversion two years■ Number of keys required: Two, one for ignition and doors, one for fresh

water filler■ Windows and doors: Base vehicle windows single-glazed, flush-fit

sliding openings in side door and offside window, high top fitted with two Seitz double-glazed acrylic top-hinged windows. Nearside located side-sliding door and top-hinged tailgate give access to living area

■ Additional ventilation: Heki wind-up rooflight in lounge, push-up vent in washroom

■ Blinds/curtains: Internal quilted screens to cab, cassette concertina blinds and roller flyscreens to all other windows

■ 230V AC system: Mains hook-up. CEC charger and power supply unit with RCD and two MCBs. Two mains sockets, above sink and above heater outlet

■ 12V DC system: Panel above washroom door controls fresh water pump and lights, analogue meter indicates freshwater level and condition of leisure and vehicle batteries, 12V socket above hob

■ Capacity of caravan battery: 80 amp hr■ Lighting: Diffused fluorescent; two in roof, two at sides above lounge

windows, one circular light in washroom, two swivelling halogen spotlights in cab

■ Cooking facilities: Two-burner Smev hob with grill under, both with spark ignition

■ Extractor fan/cooker hood: None fitted■ Refrigerator: Dometic RM4213S three-way with freezer compartment,

capacity 60 litres■ Sink and drainer: Stainless steel combined rectangular sink and drainer

with glass lid, worktop-mounted mixer tap■ Water system: Shurflo pressurising pump feeds hot and cold water to

kitchen, washroom basin and shower mixer tap■ Water heater: Truma Ultrastore, gas/mains operation, capacity 10 litres

(2.2 gallons)■ Fresh water tank: Externally-mounted underfloor, capacity 70 litres (15.4

gallons)■ Fresh water level gauge: Analogue meter displays full range■ Waste water tank: Externally-mounted underfloor, capacity 60 litres

(13.2 gallons)■ Waste water level gauge: None fitted■ Space heating: Eberspacher D2 Airtronic, diesel-fired, blown-air, one

outlet in lounge■ Gas locker: Accessed by lifting tailgate, vented, fixed regulator. Capacity

2 x 4.5kg butane or 2 x 3.9kg propane cylinders■ Washroom: Located across the rear, screened from kitchen by pair of

sliding doors, dismountable shower head with mixer tap, drop-down basin with mixer tap in plastic moulded unit with storage cabinets above and below, Thetford electric-flush bench cassette toilet

■ Seating: Side-facing two-seater settee on offside, forward-facing single seat on nearside, two swivelling cab seats

■ Table(s)/storage: Small table mounts on cantilever arm beside sliding door, dedicated storage in back of wardrobe, large table mounts centrally on pedestal/floor socket, dedicated storage above cab

■ Berths: Two: in two longitudinal single beds or alternative longitudinal double

■ Rear restraints: One three-point seatbelt fitted to forward-facing rear seat

■ Wardrobe: Offside rear, location in washroom, front-to-back hanging rail■ Flooring: Removable carpet over wood-effect vinyl in living area, fixed

carpet in cab■ Additional features: Two small overhead lockers in kitchen area,

levelling pads for the front seat squabs to create flat beds, soap dispenser, towel ring, shower mat, black and chrome power sockets

DIMENSIONS (*Denotes figure supplied by base vehicle manufacturer or converter) ■ Overall length: 5.39m (17ft 8in)* ■ Overall width (excluding mirrors): 1.90m (6ft 3in)* ■ Overall width (including mirrors): 2.18m (7ft 2in)* ■ Overall height: 2.56m (8ft 5in)* ■ Length of wheelbase: 3.40m (11ft 2in)* ■ Length of rear overhang: 996mm (3ft 3in)* as measured from centre

of rear wheels, 29.3 per cent of wheelbase ■ Turning circle (kerb to kerb): 13.2m (53ft 4in)* ■ Driver’s maximum leg length: 1.09m (3ft 7in) ■ Step-up height to caravan: Step one 400mm (1ft 4in), step two

80mm (3in) ■ Door aperture: 1.37m x 1.02m (4ft 6in x 3ft 4in) ■ Interior length from dash: 3.60m (11ft 9.5in) ■ Interior length behind cab: 2.8m (9ft 2in) ■ Interior width at waist height: 1.55m (5ft 1in) ■ Interior height: 1.88m (6ft 2in) ■ Work surface height: 955mm (3ft 1.5in) ■ Table dimensions: Small: 540mm L x 400mm W x 702mm H (1ft 9in

x 1ft 3.5in x 2ft 3.5in). Large: 890mm L x 430mm W x 702mm H (2ft 11 in x 1ft 5in x 2ft 3.5in)

■ Bed dimensions: Lounge double: Mattress length: 1.80m (5ft 11in) Mattress width: 1.73m (5ft 8in) Mattress depth: 103mm (4in) Or two singles offside single: Mattress length: 1.73m (5ft 8in) Mattress width: 620mm (2ft 0.5.in) Mattress depth: 103mm (4in) nearside single: Mattress length: 1.80m (5ft 11in) Mattress width: 570mm (1ft 10.5in) Mattress depth: 103mm (4in)

■ Washroom: 880mm W x 560mm x 1.85m H (2ft 10.5in x 1ft 10in x 6ft 1in)

■ Wardrobe: 800mm W x 360mm D x 900mm H (2ft 7.5in x 1ft 2in x 2ft 11.5in)

■ Gas locker: 280mm W x 700mm D x 380mm H (11in x 2ft 3.5in x 1ft 3in)

■ Gas locker door aperture: 250mm W x 320mm H (10in x 1ft 0.5in) ■ Max authorised weight: 3000kg* ■ Unladen mass: 2650kg* ■ Load capacity: 350kg* (254kg including essential habitation

equipment*) PRICE (all prices include VAT) ■ Standard model: £36,200 (on the road) ■ As tested: £39,472 (on the road) OPTIONAL EXTRAS (*starred items fitted to test vehicle) ■ Base vehicle options: 2.5-litre 130bhp engine (£1116), 2.5-litre

174bhp engine (£2761), 2.5-litre 130bhp engine with Tiptronic auto transmission £2291)*, 16-inch Toora alloy wheels for 104bhp and 130bhp engines with T32 chassis (£587), 16-inch Miyato alloy wheels for 104bhp engines (£475), 16-inch Miyato alloy wheels for 130bhp and 174bhp engines (£370), 17-inch Solace alloy wheels for 130bhp and 174bhp engines (£981)*, 17-inch Borbet CW alloy wheels for 174bhp engine with T32 chassis (£1175), Pearlescent metal paintwork (£171), 200kg payload increase only available with manual transmission (£411)

■ Caravan options: TV aerial with booster (£196), choice of upholstery (£205)

Ove

rall

wid

th 1

.90m

(6ft

3in

)*

Overall length 5.39m (17ft 8in)*

SUPPLIED BYAutosleeper Topaz kindly supplied for evaluation by: Marquis Berkshire, Oxford Road, Chieveley, nr. Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 8RU. Tel: 01635 248888; web site: www.marquismotorhomes.co.uk E&OE

153-163 live-in test.indd 11 1/6/06 13:47:52

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153-163 live-in test · luminous silver, with pale blue and grey swoopy graphics. I liked the shape of its restyled roof and I liked the windows, which are blacked out in the right