Verdict
The Shire Phoenix ML Black Edition is a beautifully finished ’van, with a layout that offers something different, as well as a versatile garage storage area.
And, as it is from Shire Conversions, there’s the facility to tweak the design, to meet your requirements and suit your tastes.
Pros
High build quality and thoughtful design are in evidence throughout
The garage is a great, flexible storage space
The kitchen is well-equipped
Cons
The lounge could be better lit
Without a winch, it’s quite an effort to lift larger/heavier items into the garage
Could this be the start of better big things? Shire Conversions boss Darryl Healey is happy to admit this ML Black Edition started out as a bit of a one-off, designed for a specific customer.
But he’s so happy with the outcome, that now the plan is very much to go into production!
Based in West Yorkshire, Shire is celebrating eight years as a specialist van converter and retailer. Although Darryl goes back a lot further, boasting a career that includes stints at other leading van converters.
There’s certainly a lot of expertise in vehicles carrying the Shire badge, with a premium edge to them and pricing that’s actually very competitive.
This two-berth ML Black Edition uses a Fiat Ducato Maxi base in extra long format, with lots of trimmings.
That includes the 150bhp engine and ComfortMatic automatic transmission in this instance, plus niceties in the cabin including air-con, silver trim around the air vents, a padded steering wheel with controls and a stereo upgrade with sat-nav.
We should also explain that the ‘Black Edition’ moniker is a bit of a misnomer. In truth, Shire is happy to work with Fiat Ducatos of any colour, and will supply an interior finish to complement.
It's clear that Shire doesn't stint on quality – it's a feeling throughout this motorhome
Living
Swivel the cab seats and you get a small seating area at the front, with somewhere to perch a cuppa, thanks to the slide-out tabletop. But to really kick back and relax, you’ll need to head towards the rear of the ’van.
Here you’ll find a double-aspect lounge, which comprises parallel sofas and a table on a pedestal leg.
We felt that the table was a little on the small side, however it’s one of two sizes being offered at the design stage, so this mightn’t be an issue. What is good, though, is that you get a tripod, meaning you take the table outside for al fresco dining.
This table is stowed over the cab, which means you have to carry it through the ’van to use it.
If you buy one of these ’vans, the lounge won’t look quite like what you see here. We found the backrests to be rather too short and upright, and higher-level fixed backrests will feature on production models. Four scatter cushions up the comfort levels.
Bright white LEDs illuminate this area. However, despite downlighters at each corner of the lounge, it lacks a couple of adjustable reading lamps.
And you do need those bright LEDs because although the two side windows let a good amount of light in, the solid, dark-coloured rear wall (due to the garage/storage area) can make the lounge feel a little dingy.
Kitchen
Kitchen kit starts with a Thetford Triplex cooker (three gas rings of different sizes plus a combined oven and grill).
The sink is to the left of the cooker, and has a smoked glass lid incorporating a small drainer, with some worktop space on the left. You also get a worktop extension flap.
Storage-wise, you only get a single overhead locker. However, the kitchen unit has a large cupboard which houses a slide-out waste bin, plus there are three decent-sized drawers and a further cupboard directly under the cooker.
There’s also a handy double mains socket here, a splashback and an electric vent overhead to let cooking smells escape. And, of course, you get Shire’s signature wine chiller – with a seven-bottle capacity!
Over on the offside, but easy to hand, there’s a Dometic 85-litre fridge with a removable freezer box. Above this is the wardrobe.
Finally, it is pleasing to see that Shire hasn’t fallen into the trap of so many converters in letting the kitchen intrude too much into the aperture for the sliding door entrance.
Washroom
Access to the Shire Phoenix ML Black Edition’s washroom is via a hinged, one-piece door, although a sliding door is under consideration, for production models.
Inside, the combination of a fold-down basin over a Thetford bench toilet might seem a bit old hat, but just you try cleaning properly around the back of a swivel-bowl toilet!
Again, there’s some thoughtful detailing in here, such as the separate shower with a curtain, and the white, lined walls. A rooflight would be welcome, but then this isn’t Shire’s final offering.
Beds
Come bedtime, it is easy to convert the lounge into a double bed.
All that’s needed is to slide the seat bases together and to perform a straightforward reconfiguration of the sofa cushions, and you’ve got a 1.84m x 1.30m (6’0” x 4’3”) transverse double bed.
Storage
Key to this Shire Conversions ’van is a sizeable garage storage zone across the back.
It’s designed for a Vespa-style scooter or equivalent, with an electric winch (not fitted here) being considered for lifting your two-wheeled transport on board. Without this, it is quite some lift beyond the otherwise useful lower-level storage points.
This is in addition to the other aforementioned storage options.
Technical Specifications
| Payload | 550 kg |
| MTPLM | 3500 kg |
| Shipping Length | 6.36 m |
| Width | 2.05 m |
