Category: News

This new sixth-generation model has big boots to fill with the previous model’s excellent reputation for delivering lots of thrills with very few bill

What is it?

The Suzuki Swift has become a very popular and likeable supermini among British buyers – and it’s easy to see why. A stylish and cheeky exterior design, matched with some of the best-in-class driving dynamics – with the added benefits of affordable and low running costs.

While some superminis like the Toyota Yaris and new MG3 have gone full hybrid only, the Swift comes only with mild-hybrid power with the choice of manual or automatic transmissions.

What’s new?

This sixth-generation car is all new. The body is fresh as well as the interior, and keeping up with most modern superminis, the Swift, like the model it replaces, will be only available in a five-door bodystyle

Since the third-generation Swift was released back in 2005, the Japanese hatchback has always kept its design relatively unchanged and that’s no bad thing – giving it a recognisable identity.

The rear exterior door handles are no longer hidden away and are now integrated into the body of the car while the front has a lower and more rounded appearance.

What’s under the bonnet?

It’s simple. There is only one engine on offer and it’s a new 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 81bhp and 112Nm of torque. It comes as standard with a five-speed manual gearbox or for an extra £1,250 you can have the Swift with a CVT automatic transmission.

It replaces the old 1.2-litre four-cylinder unit and comes with a 12V mild-hybrid system to help boost its efficiency and economy.

With fewer cylinders and advanced electrified power, the Swift now can reach a claimed 64.2mpg and boasts CO2 emissions as low as 99g/km.

What’s it like to drive?

Up in Tewkesbury driving the new Suzuki Swift — looking forward to see how it drives. pic.twitter.com/dM0uM3vC1e

— Cameron Richards (@CamRichards13) April 26, 2024

The Swift has still kept what the previous generations had and that is its sense of fun. The steering is precise and direct and the car goes around corners admirably with very little body roll.

The gearbox is nice and accurate and there is more sound insulation which results in a lot less wind and tyre noise when on the move.

When it comes to the ride, things are composed and smooth but a little fidgety when the roads become a little bumpier, but nothing too uncomfortable while the exhaust tone has a characterful thrum, making it a lively and energetic car to drive.

With a mixture of town and B road driving our test car managed 57.4mpg, not quite the 64mpg Suzuki claims, though not far off.

How does it look?

The new Swift is more rounded than its predecessor and while its design might be new, this latest car is still easily identifiable as a Suzuki Swift with its black painted A-pillars and tall side profile – while the floating roof design remains the same as the outgoing model.

The front is where the new car looks noticeably different with large headlights and a clamshell wrap-around bonnet – while the front grille is more rounded with the lower valance has a more ellipsoid shape.

While appearances can be subjective, in our view the looks don’t catch the eye quite as well as previous generations. Though it’s still a good-looking supermini, the Swift’s design may not be to everyone’s liking.

What’s it like inside?

Suzukis have always had very well-made yet budget-focused interiors and while the new Swift does feel like it won’t break, the materials used still aren’t quite as plush compared to its German rivals – though those are considerably more expensive.

Everything is logically laid out and Suzuki is still using physical buttons for the climate control making it a lot more user-friendly and easier to navigate than the Swift’s contemporaries.

Rear leg and headroom were good with an ample amount of knee room, too, though the boot space isn’t the biggest at 265 litres with the seats in places though you can expand that to 980 litres with them folded down – marginally smaller than the Volkswagen Polo’s boot capacity at 351 litres and 1,125 litres respectively.

The rear seats also don’t fold flat which can make loading longer items to the back trickier. However, the load lip is lower than on the old Swift, which does aid accessibility.

What’s the spec like?

The spec is simple, with the new Swift only available in two different guises. It’s also very well equipped from the off with the entry-level Motion coming with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, rear view camera, sat-nav, rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control.

Our test car was the top-spec Ultra that boasts automatic climate control, electric folding door mirrors and polished alloy wheels.

Prices start at £18,699 for the basic Motion model, which is £1,100 cheaper than the most basic Polo – while the Ultra is priced at £21,049 which undercuts the cheapest Yaris hybrid by more than £1,600.

Verdict

It’s refreshing to see Suzuki launching a new Swift in a sector that has been cut back due to the rise and popularity of SUVs.

Superminis have been hit hard recently with many car manufacturers deeming them too costly to switch to electric power, but the Swift demonstrates that mild-hybrid technology and fun driving characteristics can still be achieved – with an attractive price tag.

The Swift is still a great choice for those wanting a highly specced and engaging supermini without the higher running costs or the need to move to an EV – and with prices undercutting its rivals by over £1,000, the Swift is certain to make a big impression among British buyers.

Facts at a glance

Model as tested: Suzuki Swift 1.2 Mild Hybrid Ultra petrol

Price as tested: £21,049

Engine: 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild hybrid petrol

Power: 81bhp

Torque: 112Nm

0-60mph: 12.3 seconds

Top speed: 103mph

MPG: 64.2

CO2 Emissions: 99g/km

 

By Cameron Richards

The Cyberster will be available in two different guises.

MG has opened up its order books for its new convertible EV, the Cyberster.

From launch there will be two models on offer, the standard Trophy and the top-of-the-line GT.

The Trophy comes with an electric motor that produces 335bhp, has a torque figure of 475Nm and can do 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds.

The GT, meanwhile, comes with dual electric motors which boast a power output of 496bhp, can produce 725Nm of torque and enable the Cyberster to do 0-60mph in 3.0 seconds.

The Trophy and GT will come with a 77kWh battery pack that will give a claimed electric range of 316 miles, while the more powerful GT has a range of 276 miles on a single charge.

Both models are equipped with four driving modes – Comfort, Custom, Sport and Track.

David Allison, MG head of product and planning said: “The Cyberster is a car designed to excite, whether through its head-turning design or its scintillating performance. Both the Trophy and GT are compelling two-seat EV sporting roadsters which promise to propel gran touring into the electric age.”

Charging times for the Trophy have not been confirmed, but the GT is capable of using DC rapid charging of up to 150kW – enabling a charging time from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 38 minutes.

The Cyberster comes as standard with Brembo Brakes as well as 19-inch alloys for the Trophy and 20-inches for the GT.

Inside there is a standard 10.25-inch driver display flanked by two seven-inch displays and another coloured display mounted in the centre console to allow access to the climate control – the boot capacity is measured at 249 litres as well.

Features such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, eight-speaker Bose sound system, DAB and voice recognition, a 360-degree parking camera and USB ports are all standard, too.

Orders can be placed at any selected MG dealer across the UK with deliveries expected in August. Prices start at £54,995 for the Trophy and rise to £59,995 for the dual-motor GT.

By Cameron Richards

Warwickshire has been named the ‘speeding hotspot’ of England and Wales, with a new study finding one in five drivers exceed speed limits in the county.

Warwickshire Police saw 91,325 speeding violations in 2022 – equivalent to one for every 4.58 vehicles in the area.

Go Compare Car Insurance’s findings – which used combined regional figures from the Home Office and the DVLA – located other speeding ‘hotspots’ including Greater London, Devon and Cornwall with the Met Police reporting one penalty for every 4.82 vehicles. Devon and Cornwall, meanwhile, saw one offence being issued for every 4.64 cars in the area.

Bedfordshire and Surrey both entered into the top ten – with speeding violations issued for every 8.18 and 9.14 respective vehicles – while Yorkshire was identified as another speedy area. Both North and West Yorkshire were in the top 10 list with penalties for every 6.26 and 6.49 vehicles respectively.

Tom Banks, a car insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Speeding is perhaps one of the most common safety risks associated with using our roads, so identifying the country’s hotspots is a key indicator of where the most dangerous places to drive are. It seems that the South is home to some of the nation’s worst areas, although the figures for Yorkshire are also particularly concerning.”

At the other end of the scale sat South Wales, where one offence was recorded for every 43 vehicles. North Wales also had a very low ratio, with one offence issued for every 21 vehicles.

Northumbria Police reported one offence for every 21.87 vehicles in the area it covers – Northumberland and Tyne and Wear – while Cleveland Police, which looks after Middlesborough, Hartlepool and Stockton, had a ratio of one offence for every 30 vehicles.

The electric SUV has proven a popular choice among buyers beating the likes of previous best-sellers such as the Volkswagen Golf and Dacia Sandero

The Tesla Model Y has been named the best-selling car in Europe for March.

According to Jato Dynamics, EV sales are declining while hybrid numbers are on the up, with a total of 382,700 hybrid vehicles registered between January and March this year – the highest number of quarterly registrations since 2021.

Even though Tesla’s share in the EV market has dropped from 27.3 per cent in March 2023 to 19.9 per cent last month, the firm still managed to shift 26,847 Model Ys – over 1,000 more than the second best-selling car – the Volkswagen Golf at 25,779 units.

Felipe Munoz, Global Analyst at Jato Dynamics said: “The average price of a new car is still prohibitively high, and consumers are understandably hesitant about making the shift from petrol and diesel powered vehicles to electric models.

Hybrid sales were up by 18 per cent in the corresponding quarter of 2023 compared to year-on-year increases of 3.8 per cent and 4.8 per cent for EVs.

Munoz added: “Consumers are familiar with hybrid vehicles; they’ve been in the market for more than two decades now. For many drivers, they are the best option: cheaper than EVs at point of purchase and not reliant on public charging infrastructure that simply isn’t there in many markets.”

Despite the slowdown in EV uptake, Tesla was still at the top of the chart for BEV sales with a total of 39,000 units registered in March closely followed by BMW and then Volvo thanks to the success of its new EX30 model. In all, some 1,377,541 vehicles of all types were registered across Europe in March.

By Cameron Richards

The facelifted Urus will be the first performance plug-in hybrid SUV.

Lamborghini has released a more powerful plug-in hybrid version of its performance Urus SUV.

The new Urus SE incorporates a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 producing 611bhp and 800Nm of torque. An electric motor, meanwhile, delivers an additional 189bhp and 483Nm of torque.

When you have two hearts, the excitement is even more unique.
The new Lamborghini Urus SE has arrived: the first plug-in hybrid Super SUV.
New combustion and electric engine, new design, optimized aerodynamics, unprecedented on-board technology.#Lamborghini

— Lamborghini (@Lamborghini) April 24, 2024

Combined, the Urus SE has a total power figure of 800bhp and 1,283Nm of torque which makes it one of the most powerful SUVs to arrive in the UK.

Capable of 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds and 0-120mph in 11 seconds, the Urus SE can reach a top speed of 189mph, while a 25.9kWh battery pack should return a claimed 37 miles of electric-only range.

The exterior features a new bonnet and headlight clusters that incorporate LED headlights alongside a redesigned bumper and front grille. At the back, there is a new diffuser and boot lid as well as trademark Lamborghini “Y” lights that are shaped around the tailgate.

The updated interior sports a larger 12.3-inch screen than the previous Urus, as well as a digital instrument cluster and updated seat, panel and dashboard coverings.

The centre console features a switch that allows the driver to toggle between six different driving modes including Strada, Sport, Corsa for road and track use – while Neve, Sabbia and Terra modes are more destined for different off-road driving.

Prices have not been confirmed yet while Lamborghini is understood to not be accepting orders at present. However, with the current Urus starting from £188,000 we expect the new Urus SE to start closer to the £200,000 mark.

By Cameron Richards

The legendary G-Class off-roader has been given the EV makeover.

Mercedes has revealed its latest addition to the EV market with the EQG – an electric version of the firm’s iconic G-Class.

The electric version will come with a 116kWh lithium-ion battery pack and will give a claimed range of 294 miles on a single charge. The vehicle uses 200kW DC charging, too, enabling it to be rapid-charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 32 minutes.

Underneath the skin, four individually controlled electric motors produce the equivalent of 579bhp and give a torque output of 1,164Nm.

Just because the G-Class has received electric power, doesn’t mean it isn’t still a capable off-roader. This new EQG has a ground clearance of up to 250mm, and a fording depth of 850mm for water and mud. It comes as standard with adaptable adjustable damping on the suspension to help the vehicle remain stable and planted over rough terrain.

A new function Mercedes is calling G-Turn, which allows the EQG to turn on the spot, with the four wheels from left to right being able to turn in opposite directions – helping with manoeuvrability and getting out of tricky situations off-road.

The Rise of Electric: Introducing the all-new electric G-Class.

UK spec may vary.#TheGeländewagen #G580 #GClass #MercedesBenz pic.twitter.com/3cJNVNUWT6

— Mercedes-Benz UK (@MercedesBenzUK) April 24, 2024

The new G-Roar system also allows fake exhaust noises recorded from the combustion power V8 G-Class to pump through the speakers, and depending on what driving mode the driver is in, the noise will turn up or down whether Comfort or Sport mode is activated.

The EQG also features something called the ‘Transparent Bonnet’ which gives the driver a virtual view of the underside of the vehicle – which is then displayed on the infotainment screen helping the driver prevent any damage that may occur when driving off-road.

From launch, there will be one model available – the Edition One. It will come in a choice of five different exterior paint finishes, blue brake calipers and 20-inch AMG spoke alloy wheels.

The Edition One also includes the AMG Line and Night Package which includes silver running boards, a nappa leather interior with blue stitching, a sports steering wheel and black door mirrors.

Prices have not been revealed yet, with order books still yet to be available, but we expect the EQG to be marginally more expensive than the combustion-powered G-Class which starts at £133,500.

By Cameron Richards

The Aceman will sit between the Cooper and Countryman in the Mini range.

Mini has revealed the Aceman crossover which will slot between the smaller Cooper and larger Countryman in the firm’s line-up.

Things start with the Aceman E, which brings a 42.5 kWh battery pack and a claimed electric driving range of 192 miles. It also produces 181bhp, gives out 290Nm of torque and does 0-60mph in 7.7 seconds – and 75kW DC charging is available.

The more powerful Aceman SE comes with a larger 54.2 kWh battery pack, enabling an increased electric range of 252 miles, 214bhp, 330Nm of torque and a 0-60mph time of 6.9 seconds – with rapid charging allowing the car to go from 10 to 80 per cent in under 30 minutes.

The exterior features new LED headlights, an octagonal grille, flush door handles, a retracted rear window and an elongated roof spoiler.

The interior has a curved dashboard with a two-tone door trim design. As with the Cooper and Countryman, the Aceman features a large OLED central display and while lighting along the roof frame aims to replicate ambient lighting.

The boot space offers 300 litres of luggage capacity with the rear seats in place, while that extends to 1,005 litres with them folded down.

In the UK, there will be three trim levels on offer, Classic, Exclusive and Sport.

Classic comes with a high gloss black front grille and 17-inch alloy wheels while Exclusive boasts a silver front grille, 18-inch alloy wheels or 19-inch as an option. The top-of-the-line Sport features a rear spoiler equipped with air blades, John Cooper Works-inspired front and rear bumpers as well as red and black bonnet stripes.

Prices will start at £31,800 for the Aceman E in Classic trim and will rise to £36,300 for the Aceman SE in Sport trim. The first deliveries are due in November 2024.

By Cameron Richards

The sporty four-door coupes have undergone some mid-life updates to keep them in line with their rivals.

BMW has revealed facelifted versions of its i4 electric and 4-Series Gran Coupe.

Externally, both models receive new headlight designs and the famous BMW front kidney grilles now are finished in matt chrome – while M Sport versions of the i4 and 4-Series Gran Coupe now feature a gloss black rear diffuser.

There are new alloy wheel designs with the option of 19-inch M aerodynamic wheels with double spokes or 20-inch BMW Individual wheels, too.

Inside, the interiors feature a new steering wheel design with two spokes, while M Sport models receive a three-spoke design with a flat bottom.

The iDrive infotainment system has been upgraded and now features what BMW is calling ‘QuickSelect’ – which enables fewer buttons and controls in the cockpit. Functions such as the climate control or – if fitted – with heated seats and steering wheel can be controlled via the infotainment display.

Ambient lighting is now standard across the i4 and 4-Series Gran Coupe range and owners have the choice of up to nine different coloured lighting.

In terms of powertrains, buyers in the UK have a choice of two versions of Gran Coupe – the M440i xDrive M Performance or the 420i. The former comes with mild-hybrid 48V technology and is mated to a six-cylinder petrol engine that produces 379bhp and returns a 0-60mph time of 4.7 seconds. The latter produces 186bhp and gives out 300Nm of torque – while 0-60mph is achieved in 7.7 seconds.

The i4 comes in three different guises – eDrive 35, eDrive40 and M50 xDrive.

The eDrive35 electric motor produces 290bhp and 400Nm of torque and gives an electric range of between 240 to 311 miles while the eDrive40 pushes out 340bhp and 430Nm and goes between 291 to 373 miles on a single charge.

The M50 receives BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system as standard, utilising a 317bhp electric motor that drives the rear wheels and a 261bhp motor that powers the front. In Sport mode, the driver can enjoy an extra 69bhp and increased torque of 65Nm taking it to 795Nm. It also enables the i4 xDrive to go from 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds and onwards to an electronically controlled top speed of 140mph.

Deliveries are expected in July this year with the i4 priced from £50,365 for the eDrive35 and rising to £69,995 for the i4 M50, while the 4-Series Gran Coupe starts from £43,830 for the 420i and rises to £59,545 for the M440i xDrive.

By Cameron Richards

Roads could start going back up to 30mph by the end of the year, the Welsh government has announced, just months after lower speed limits were put in place.

Ken Skates, the Welsh transport minister, has announced that the government in Cardiff Bay will be revising its guidance to the council on which roads can be exempted from the new lower 20mph speed limit.

The move could see councils able to return limits to their previous speeds by the end of the year.

But opponents have branded the move a “comms exercise” that will not see the 30mph default return.

The Welsh Labour government implemented a default 20mph speed limit in September last year, covering built-up areas.

Speaking in the Senedd on Tuesday, Mr Skates said there will be a “national listening programme” putting the “voice of Welsh citizens” at the heart of deciding which roads can return to 30mph.

Alongside this he promised to work jointly with local authorities to prepare the ground for changes, revising the guidance on which local roads can be exempted from the lower speed.

The revised guidance will be published in July, with councils expected to start detailed consultation on changes from September.

The Cabinet Secretary said: “We’ve started by listening. I have been clear in all my conversations that we will put communities at the heart of our thinking and will listen to people.

“As I have already said there is growing consensus on safe speeds in communities that we can build from. We continue to believe 20mph is the right speed limit in places such as near schools, hospitals, nurseries, community centres, play areas and in built-up residential areas.

“The principal objective of the policy is to save lives and reduce casualties on our roads. What I am doing now is listening to what people want for the roads in their communities, and pressing ahead with refining the policy and getting the right speed on the right roads.”

He encouraged people in Wales to let their councils know which roads should be targeted for change.

Speaking to the Press Association news agency, Mr Skates denied that his party was capitulating to the Conservatives, who have been calling for the policy to be reversed.

He argued they wanted to see the policy reversed entirely, which would cost the Welsh government around £35m.

He said: “The Tories want something completely different, something that would cause chaos at an extraordinary cost.

“They want to get rid of the policy completely, and that will cost in the region of £35m.

“Then they would wish to use what are called Traffic Regulation Orders to change any 30mph routes back to 20.

“It would be like a game of yo-yo.”

He accepted that Labour’s plan would also come at a cost, but argued that it would be a “fraction” of the Conservatives’ plan.

The transport minister denied that the Labour government had rushed to implement the scheme, insisting it was the “cleanest” way to put it in place.

“The reason that this policy was implemented in the way that it was is that we have very limited powers within Wales to be able to make changes of this nature,” he said.

“(Changing the) default setting was the swiftest and cleanest way of doing it.

“The government always knew that there’d be routes that would have to change, what we’re doing is making sure that we have citizens, the people of Wales, determine what is right, so that they can take ownership then over the speed limits in their communities, and that we implement the changes that people want as soon as possible.”

Asked if this was the Welsh Government admitting it had got the policy wrong, he said it was “showing humility”.

He said: “Humility is a vital part of being in politics.

“Showing compassion, standing and listening to people is vitally important.

“So far all I’ve heard from people leads me to believe that we’re doing the right thing in listening to people, acknowledging concerns and putting in place a process to make changes where necessary.”

Reacting to Mr Skates’ announcement, Natasha Asghar MS, the Conservatives’ shadow transport minister, said: “All of Labour’s talk of change on their flawed 20mph speed limit was sadly just a comms exercise which has consequently made people from all corners of Wales believe that their roads will be going back to 30mph.

“The bottom line is that after all of Labour’s talk about listening to the Welsh people, the default speed limit across Wales will remain 20mph. Nothing has changed to everyone inside and outside of Wales.

“Instead of making councils clean up the mess of this daft, divisive and destructive policy, it should be scrapped in its entirety, so common sense can prevail and 20mph remains where it is needed such as outside schools, play areas, high streets, places of worship etc.”

Labour’s shadow Welsh secretary in Parliament, Jo Stevens, said: “The practical changes Ken Skates has announced represent a pragmatic, welcome response to the concerns that have been raised over the last few months.

“Under Vaughan Gething’s leadership the Welsh Government is delivering on the priorities of people across Wales. With a Labour government at both ends of the M4, we will drive positive change in people’s day-to-day lives.”

Camper vans are getting increasingly popular as they offer your very own moving mobile home.

Ever since Volkswagen set the trend back in 1949 with the original Volkswagen Type 1 Camper Van, the market has grown and grown for mobile homes on wheels.

As we approach summer, it’s not hard to see why they mean big business here in the UK. They offer the practicality of a van, with the added benefit of being your very own miniature home and holiday destination.

Beds, kitchens, cookers and gazebos can be fitted as standard or as optional extras, which makes them a very attractive proposition for those wanting to travel around Europe or in the UK.

After the original camper van was launched, there have been many iterations and attempts by other car manufacturers over the years and now there are examples out there that are like mini-hotels on wheels.

Here is our list of some of the very best camper vans currently on sale in the UK today.

Mercedes Marco Polo

The Mercedes Marco Polo is essentially a V-Class decked out to be your own little home from home.

The driving experience feels more like a car than a van and the dashboard is taken straight from the normal V-Class meaning that there is a nice blend of soft-touch materials and leather.

Inside, the Marco Polo comes with plenty of camping equipment and features that will fit your holiday requirements such as two beds, a wooden floor style decking, ambient lighting, cupboard style draws and an optional side awning.

However, the Marco Polo is rather expensive to buy starting at £51,550, while the interior may be packed full of storage features, it’s still not as practical as rivals from Volkswagen.

Volkswagen California

The California is commonly seen as the benchmark when it comes to camper vans. There is a larger variant called the Grand California, but with a rather hefty starting price of £82,000 – the smaller version looks like a better deal.

The standard California is based on the very popular Transporter van which means you get all the Volkswagen’s familiar switchgear and lofty driving position.

Inside, the California has rotating and swivel passenger seats that can be adjusted 180 degrees. If you go for a Beach model, you get a fold-out kitchen with a single gas hob, too.

Higher specced Coast and Ocean models come with all the camping equipment you’ll ever need including both getting full kitchens with twin gas hobs, a sink with fresh and waste water tanks and a fridge.

The top-of-the-line Ocean model gets an electric roof that is operated with a control panel, and a fold-out awning is an option on the base Beach model, but standard on higher spec versions.

A 230V socket which allows you to hook up to the mains comes as standard with all California models.

Ford Transit Custom Nugget

The Ford Transit is a motoring success here in the UK, and now you can have one for your camping trip away.

The Transit Custom Nugget may have an odd name but, behind the rather anonymous exterior lies a bench seat that can fold flat to make a double bed and a roof that tilts up to reveal another double bed, however, the roof unlike the California and Marco Polo is manually operated.

The ground floor houses a kitchen, a hob, a sink and a fridge and there are plenty of cupboards and drawers to stow things away.

There is a table between the rear seats, too. However, all of this is spoiled by the Transit’s driving experience which gives a harsh ride and numb handling, which isn’t the end of the world, but the Mercedes Marco Polo does offer a sharper driving experience.

Volkswagen Caddy California

The baby sibling compared to the more mature California and larger Grand California is the Caddy California.

The Caddy California starts from £35,600 which sounds like great value for money. It’s also available with petrol or diesel power and unlike the rest on our list, feels more like a car to drive thanks to its lower centre of gravity and ride height.

Inside the Caddy, there is a logically laid out dashboard with decent-quality materials used throughout.

Further back, drop the second row of seats and you’ll find lurking beneath them a fold-out bed big enough for a pair of two adults to sleep in as well as a mini-kitchen – which is located in the boot.

Also, there is a single-burner cooker with an integrated gas bottle and there is even a custom made bag designed to carry two fold-out chairs and a table.

Toyota Proace Matino Campervan

The Toyota Proace Matino is based on the Proace Verso minivan, with the added benefit of side graphics and an extending roof for a bed.

The Matino’s interior layout is simple and easy to use, if not a little cheap feeling to the touch, and the front seats rotate 180 degrees, too.

The rear bench seats can slide and adjust to make a double bed and you get the option of a secondary bed by raising the roof. The problem is, unlike the Mercedes Marco Polo and Volkswagen California, everything in the Matino is operated manually instead of electrically.

There is a kitchen with twin gas hobs and a sink with fresh and waste water tanks. A fridge is also present and located in one of the larger cupboards you get a toilet cassette – but unfortunately does take up a lot of space.

By Cameron Richards