In the last half dozen years, only Bürstner could claim to rival Adria for volume of ’vans sold in the UK. The Slovenian manufacturer cemented its name here with a broad range of well-built and keenly priced ’vans in all classes, but like so many other imported brands, the dramatic fall of the pound against the euro in the last two years has forced a rethink.

For 2010, Adria has trimmed its ranges, producing three headline news stories: the gorgeous but pricey Polaris has gone into full production; the launch of the low profile, with pull-down bed Matrix; and the introduction of two luxury Supreme Edition Corals. This follows something of a trend among Continental manufacturers (the Bürstner Ixeo Plus, for example) to offer a specced-up alternative to a standard range with a real visual difference.

It’s the latter that we feature here, in the form of the end washroom S 680 ST, which also has a fixed French-style bed, an L-shaped kitchen and a half-dinette upfront with side sofa bench that converts quickly and easily to a fifth homologated, rear-facing passenger seat with lap belt. It’s the work of seconds to remove and relocate the steel backrest and cushions, plus a flap extends from the seat box so the passenger’s feet don’t have to dangle in transit.

Both inside an out, it’s an outstanding looking ’van. It’s available in three colour schemes: white walls and cab; white walls and silver cab; or as featured here, slate grey walls and cab, which to my mind is the pick of the bunch. Powered by either a 2.3-litre 130 MultiJet or 3.0-litre 160 MultiJet unit, our test model was based on the latter with the 4000kg heavy chassis (£1500 upgrade for 500 extra kg of payload), plus heavy duty chassis extensions at the rear. This adds significantly to the user payload but, of course, requires the C1 licence category.

The cab in our test ’van was fitted with the Comfort Package (£1990) of manual air-conditioning, passenger airbag and cruise control. The cab doors and two-point habitation door lock centrally with the push of a key fob button, too.

Externally, the look is completed by 16in. alloys, fitted here as a £907 cost option. The fresh tank is sited onboard (underneath the forward facing seat bench) and underslung heated waste water tank. With walls/floor/roof measuring 31/41/31mm thick, this is comfortably an all-season motorhome.

At 7.36m, it’s not huge, but with no through-vision on the road because of that end washroom, the standard-fit reversing sensors are a boon. The first impressions entering the living quarters are that it’s studded with chrome trim throughout, so you know you’re in a Supreme Edition rather than a standard Coral, plus there’s uplighting over the lockers. The coffee leather optional upholstery (£1290) helps this ’van ooze luxury.

A 40x40cm Seitz panoramic rooflight, that looks great from the outside, bathes the lounge and cab in light on the inside. The half-dinette seats five at meal times, thanks to the extending table, although preparing food for five will be a push in the compact L-shaped kitchen. A 30-litre oven sited at shoulder height above a 150-litre Dometic fridge, poses the usual problem of retrieving hot food at head height.

The front lounge makes up into an occasional bed for two, although the seat squabs and backs (that are moulded for superb lounging and travelling comfort) make for a rather uneven sleeping surface. The double bed is extremely comfortable, though, and has a low backrest, but six-footers may find headroom fouled by the panel that conceals the spotlight cabling. The mattress lifts on its framed, slatted base, and is self-supporting on its gas strut for access to the storage space underneath. This can also be accessed externally through a locker door, which is one of two substantial exterior lockers. The other is a large, vertical locker, with a hinged shelf and plastic tray at its base with drain plug, making it an ideal wet locker.

Saving the best for last, the ’van’s main strength is its huge rear washroom. The fully lined, walk-in shower could grace a domestic show home, leaving plenty of room for manoeuvre with the swivel toilet, basin and tambour-doored toiletries locker. Three mirrors make for a narcissist’s dream, although I was surprised the rear window wasn’t of the opaque variety.