Auto-Sleeper Fairford Plus 2019

In the latest Plus guise, the Auto-Sleeper Fairford offers loads of space at the back for luggage, and a frame to make a medium-level double bed that could be left up permanently.

This folding frame can be adapted to form inward-facing sofas, so you have an end lounge. True, there are no side windows, but you can open the back doors and there's a skylight.

From the outside, the Fairford Plus certainly looks like a typical Auto-Sleeper model. As with all of the firm's van conversions, the windowed version of the Boxer provides the base, with alloys and a black awning adding to the appearance.

Peugeot's latest Boxer comes with new Euro 6.2, 2.2-litre engines. In the Fairford Plus, you get the range-topping 165bhp.

The cab, too, comes with the luxuries you'd expect, including the touchscreen infotainment system with sat nav, as well as ESP and Traction Control, plus a tyre pressure monitoring system. Unlike the prototype here, production models will get a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearlever.

Up front, it's standard Fairford seating. There are four travel berths, thanks to the slightly curious double dinette that relies on the driver's seat for back support.

The fixed pedestal-leg table has lots of height and fore-and-aft adjustment, although the top didn't feel overly sturdy.

For making the rear bed, a couple of metal support bars slot in, allowing the seat frames to fold out flat. It's all at a height where there's still a significant amount of storage space below.

A tambour door for the washroom is always a great space-saver. You can use the whole room for showering, too, as the handbasin slides across to give you optimum space. An extractor fan goes some way towards making up for the lack of a window.

Details of note range from the LED paddle reading lights on a rail, to a good selection of mains and USB outlets throughout.

Whale heating and hot-water systems are mounted under the floor - again, saving vital interior space. As does the gas tank.

Some interesting options point to Auto-Sleepers' view of the future, with a kayak carrier on the roof and a bike rack on the rear door. You might also have spotted the nifty wind-out awning over the rear doors, part of the £595 Thule Pack, which also includes load-bearing roof rails and a foldaway ladder.

In its most basic format, the Fairford Plus starts off with an ex-works price of £58,000 (leaving aside the thorny issue of VED). You'll want to add the Premium and Winter Packs (@5000 and £295 respectively). Consider, too, the £995 Media Pack and the £1000 Climate Pack (with Truma roof-mounted air-con).