Benimar makes motorhomes in sunny Peñíscola, on the Spanish Mediterranean coast.

It’s the kind of place where many a motorcaravanner might like to see out the worst months of winter.

So it seems fitting that the motorhomes produced there have made such an impact in the UK.

Since they were reintroduced in an exclusive deal with Marquis Leisure two years ago (and flipped to a UK-friendly orientation) they have proved a great success, with the dealership introducing new models and ranges every year.

It started out with the Fiat Ducato-based Mileo line-up, but recently added the Ford Transit-based Tessoros, with a cab designed to look and feel more like that of a car.

Our test model – the Tessoro 494 – has a rear island bed and central washroom.

It also has the £1750 option of a six-speed SelectShift automatic gearbox, which allows you to change to manual if you prefer, and to lock gears.

We tested the ’van out in the dead of winter, and on two different occasions at opposite ends of the country, with a long and varied drive in between.