As for the Euro Deluxe, you’re not going to feel claustrophobic after a couple of weeks or a month living inside, and over the course of the weekend that my wife, Naava, and I spent with it, we found it eminently useful. Cooking, sleeping, lounging around, there’s plenty of space for up to four people to stay out of each others’ way, and even at full capacity, it’s not going to be a terrible squeeze.

Driving

Driving the Transit is a pleasure. Its six-speed manual 2.4L turbodiesel seems more capable to my mind than the petrol version, with more grunt and a centre-console-mounted gearshift that’s far more user-friendly than the spindly, truck-style lever on the last Transit I drove. Moreover, with a shallower, lighter clutch, shifting with the diminutive sporty equipment is simple, hassle-free, and it’s no trouble keeping revs within the maximum-efficiency green zone. Brakes are responsive and sure, and power transmission is smooth and consistent. The turning circle is nothing to write home about, but given the vehicle’s 7.2m (23ft 7in) length, it’s not bad either.

Both driver and passenger seats are supportive, especially in the lumbar area, with ample legroom and drop-down arm-rests. The view of the road ahead, with the snub bonnet and low dash, is fine.

A reversing camera would have been useful, but we managed with my better half guiding me when backing up.

The Euro Deluxe is quite stable when turning, hit by a gust of wind, and when being passed by a large truck.

Â

Â

Driving cab storage, while adequate, isn’t excessive. In each door there’s a deep recess, suitable for road atlases and other assorted travel information. There’s no above-head document storage, though there is a fold-out cup holder on the centre console, as well as a fold-out map reading table with a couple of cup holders and a couple of broad, shallow compartments that open on either side of the dash.

Controls are positioned in the European style, with indicator on the left and wipers on the right (two stalks here). A CD/AM/FM stereo system keeps up the road-trip soundtrack, with two speakers in the rear of the van and a selection in the cab, while the decent air-conditioning and heating maintain an even temperature nicely.

LIGHT AND SPACIOUS

Overhead lockers line the headspace above the amidships bed/dinette and the rear bed/dinette, with the spacious spots under the beds at night time ideal for footwear and day bags. A corner shelf by the fire-extinguisher at the entrance is ideal for all-day essentials, like wallets and keys. If there aren’t six of you, the Luton peak bed works well as a linen storage area, though there are as many overhead lockers as could fit, so there’s certainly room elsewhere.

Seven fluorescent lights inside (two of which are in the peak) allow for localised lighting and would ensure those who wish to read won’t disturb those who want to sleep. Externally, there’s an entrance light as well as a grab handle that lights up neon blue.

Between all the windows, with three surrounding the rear bed/dinette, one by the amidships bed/dinette, one behind the cooktop, one in the door, and two in the peak, there’s a lot of natural light, especially when the three Fiamma hatches (positioned in the toilet, rear bed/dinette area , and front kitchen/dinette area) are open.

Beds are easily assembled, and converting the whole thing into a night-time configuration, not including obsessive smoothing of sheets (my issue), takes less than 10 minutes. The beds themselves are generously proportioned: the front and peak are 2.1m x 1.5m (6ft 10in x 4ft 10in) each, and even the smaller of the three (amidships) is 1.95m x 1.20m (6ft 5in x 4ft 11in). The Luton peak ensures that no-one gets a raw deal.

Reassembling the tables for breakfast (even the slightly more complex Lagun at the rear) is a piece of cake.

Â

Â

COOKING AND SHOWERING

Bench space is sufficient – the TV swivels out of the way, though it’s still on the benchtop (some might prefer a wall-mounted arm), and meal preparation isn’t such a hassle. Though, with the cooktop and sinktop lid-space (not to mention all the dinette tabletop real estate) there’s more than enough room for chopping and mixing. Instead of a curtain hanging near the stove, there’s a shiny metal venetian blind. The Smev three-burner cooktop, with rangehood, works well, as does the 110L Waeco fridge below it.

All the cutlery, crockery, pots, pans and other bits and pieces will fit in the kitchen cabinetry, with one wide cutlery drawer, and two deep crockery drawers with cut-outs to keep everything stable in transit. Although you have to bend to reach the fridge and dry-food areas, there’s enough room to allow cramp-free crouching.

All switches and controls for the water pump, water heater, lights, TV, and the electronic fresh and grey water gauges are centralised in a switchbox in the rear offside corner, in an overhead locker.

The single-cubicle bathroom features a mirrored cupboard for those toilet essentials and a folding basin that employs the showerhead as a tap.

LIVING IN COMFORT

With all the window louvers, the solid door section and the two Fiamma hatches open, we enjoyed lovely cross-breezes out of the sun. On the other hand, with all windows closed and curtains drawn, the clear skies and sunny day outside weren’t obvious until one of us ventured outside. For times when you want to keep the outside where it is, an Aircommand Heron 2.2 unit is smartly located above the microwave, where it serves the main living area of the van without taking up undue space.

If you prefer the breeze at its source, the excellent and ever-so-easy Fiamma F45 awning is a brilliant inclusion, and won my heart at breakfast time. The right-through storage bin at the van’s rear is spacious enough for a family of folding chairs and a table to arrange them around, as well as the usual hoses and power lead, so al fresco dining is an attractive option.

SUMMING UP

Apart from a niggling issue where the sink and cooktop covers, when lifted, can flick up the mixer tap (watch out!), everything’s where it should be in the Euro Deluxe.

It drives well, it’s spacious and comfortable, and it’s decked out with everything you are likely to need.

Liked

• Spacious bedroom(s)
• Driving comfort. The Transit is an easy shifting, powerful, stable base vehicle
• Living space. When weather doesn’t permit outdoor living, there’s plenty of space for staying inside

Would have liked

• For the kitchen mixer tap to be positioned so it doesn’t catch the sink/cooktop lids when they’re up

For more information on Apollo’s motorhomes, including rental vehicles, phone 1800 777 779 or visit www.apollocamper.com.au

For more information about new Talvor units to purchase, phone (07) 3265 9220, or visit www.talvor.com

By Andrew Harris, as featured in Motorhome World issue 24, January/February 2009.