Auto-Sleepers Gloucester
The best of british with ooomph from germany
Words and photos by John Page
To date the County Range of Motorhomes from Auto-Sleepers is the most lavishly appointed group of vehicles ever to be built in the Willersey production facility in Worcestershire. Building on Mercedes is another first and something of a symbiosis in that the two companies share the reputation of striving for excellence. The 50-year history of the Auto-Sleepers marque is a remarkable story, weathering several different affiliations but now secure as part of the British Marquis Auto-Sleepers partnership.
Marquis at Northampton handed the vehicle over to us for the live-in test after spending time to explain in detail the concept and the finer points of what makes it tick. Then, as we drove out onto the A45 the weather adopted a non-cooperative mood with lashing rain driven by a strong South Easterly wind – just the job to discover whether it was going to be steady as we go or something else. No worries this well shaped machine was indeed remarkably steady in what were fairly dire conditions, including the clouds of spray from multi-wheeled artics. Mind you the cab of a Motorhome gives a much better view of things than any car. Our destination was the Caravan Club’s attractive campsite at Grafham water close to Huntingdon where, as soon as the rain cleared, we enjoyed three amazing days of December sunshine. And if you don’t believe me take a look at the snaps.
Construction
Of Low Profile wind cheating shape Gloucester has been designed to provide a high degree of comfort for two whether on the move, relaxed on site or at bedtime. The specification is thoroughly comprehensive in respect of the habitation and the automotive components. However if you are of a mind to live the life of Riley you might well consider the Option-Two extra goodies we had consisting of a fully automatic gearbox, alloy wheels, cruise control and cab air conditioning. Putting on the style indeed.
Traditionally A/S Motorhomes have been valued for their conservative design style but in recent years that style has changed progressively to result in some of the most exciting Motorhome shapes, illustrated perfectly by the appearance of this Gloucester body – uniquely different from any other European Motorhome. Inside the fixed bed configuration has a superbly restful orthopaedic double bed with washroom alongside, a galley that deserves its own manual and a lounge/diner of opulence sufficiently spacious to dine and relax the crew and a few friends.
Laminated body construction has an outer shell of GRP, insulation by a new improved technology material that claims improved efficiency ratings and furniture wallboard interior surfaces. Wiring, plumbing and the gas system all comply with the European codes of safety and those required by the National Caravan Council. Warranties extend to three years for the Mercedes component that also extends to breakdown coverage in the UK and Europe and two years for that part of the machine which is constructed by Auto-Sleepers.
SMOOTH PASSAGE
Because the Northern Hemisphere is further from the sun in December you have the near certainty of bad weather to see how your machine behaves when the heavens open and the wind blows straight from Siberia. We were not disappointed. It was just as predicted. Yet such was the behaviour of the Mercedes LWB chassis that I found myself laughing at the way the technology almost makes the job too simple! After all a big flat Motorhome side-on is something for a crosswind to latch onto. 15 minutes gone and I am totally in tune with how steady this vehicle is. So ease up a notch or two and maintain 65mph just ahead of the trucks. Engine noise is not obtrusive thanks to good bulkhead and bonnet insulation together with the relatively low engine 2400rpm engine speed. Wipers at maximum speed driving through the curtains of spray thrown up by multi-wheelers were essential. Merc’s five-speed automatic transmission definitely reduces the stress levels, responding to changes in engine revs, shifting ratios quietly and of course resting the right foot. The gearbox of itself is very interesting in that, unlike the auto/manual type, the Merc’ box with its torque converter is so acutely sensitive to changes in engine speed it will always change ratios without any need for the driver to kick down first. At first it was a touch uncanny being outguessed by a chunk of machinery but brilliant in the cut and thrust that is the reality of today’s driving conditions. Nonetheless, for the driver that still feels the need to assert their psyche with a bout of physical activity, slap the lever left for down and right for up.
CREATURE COMFORTS
This machine is all about pampering its owners with subdued lighting, quality radio and TV apparatus as well as sleeping on orthopaedic luxury. Actually it’s a lot more than that even because wherever we looked the evidence showed lateral thinking applied to the serious business of Camping with four wheels on the wagon. First the lighting and how important it can be towards relaxing depending on whether you are reading, enjoying a meal, drowsing or catching up with University Challenge on BBC Two. So with the indirect LED, the spotlights or the tungsten fittings on the ceiling you can get it right.
Restrained describes exactly what A/S Motorhomes are all about, for style, for colour and the furnishings. A sheep in wolves clothing perhaps if you consider the rakish looking body shape against an interior to be comfortable with and not a scarlet cushion in sight. The fabrics dare to mix abstract with refined good taste in various shades of brown and tan and there’s plenty of wood grain for warmth to the furniture, continued with the planked effect floor when the fitted carpets are raised. Gas and electric power for space and water heating was fine when the outside temperature dropped to 4oC, with a choice of ducted or convected warmth. We had the latter turned low through the night.
SLEEPING
I confess, my first thought about the orthopaedic bed was that it was a gimmick. How wrong can you be? Nor do you have to be afflicted with a back problem to enjoy it – read in bed, watch the goggle box or breakfast even fantastic. And at 6’6” by 4’6” big enough to cater for the long, the short or the tall. At the touch of a button the top half of each section of the bed elevates upwards to whatever angle turns out to be most comfortable. Definitely among the most comfortable of beds. Well-placed spotlights of course, roof lockers to hand and various small shelves and retainers for the bits and bobs we normally keep on or about our person. Lifting easily, a section of the bed gives good access to the cavernous compartment below that also has outdoor access. Speakers in the ceiling bring the radio and DVD output into the bedroom. For visiting guests altering the two lounge couches into a double bed is simple and obvious to make up in a couple of minutes.
THE MEAL MACHINE
Even a cursory look at this galley shows the result of planning from experience. Workspace area is superb, the appliances are placed with safety and convenience in mind and the cutlery and all the necessary implements are directly below the sink. A deep sink with practical drainer, the microwave at chest height, china in the dedicated rack and truly adequate stowage space for all the food and implements – you can’t fault it here. In fact our regular chef voted it top kitchen for 2009.
The small things count too, such as the handy paper towel dispenser conveniently on the wall by the microwave. Spotlights and the extractor are well placed, supplemented by a diffused fitting for a general spread of light. And at the centre of things there’s a window on the world outside to remind the chef that this is a Motorhome after all and not a dream kitchen from one of the glossy magazines. One small glitch concerned the main crockery rack in its glazed front roof locker almost out of reach unless you are taller than average height. Nearly forgot the table, a free-stander to stow in its neat locker for travel or to use outdoors occasionally.
WASHROOM
Well planned in terms of the hardware it was overall a tad smaller than ideal. Otherwise, a splendid size washbasin, useful stowage below the sink and lighting both practical and futuristic. Well placed mirrors, one of which probably intended for shaving by, was backlit in blue! Piece de resistance though was a shower with substantial doors that clipped neatly together magnetically, with a normal domestic size faucet and a sensible place to find the soap when it’s critical. A mesh duck board of tough material that makes for a safe, drained floor is ideal and one more super feature that no self respecting shower cubicle should be without was the removable wire basket on the wall for the unguents and what nots.
STOWAGE
We appreciated a gas locker at a non backbreaking height that also made it easy to lash the cylinders in place. We were initially wary of, but appreciative after using the device for the electronic filling of the fresh water tank. The drain tap was also nicely accessible without kneeling in the dirt. Several exterior lockers were at various heights and really useful for all sorts of tackle. Biggest of these was the large locker below the bed. Indoors, a place for everything, including the TV and adjacent DVD cupboard. Masses of roof locker capacity, ditto below the couches, as well cubby holes and shelves wherever there was space in the cab.
SUMMARY
You might well have gathered by now our enthusiasm for the Gloucester – it’s about space to luxuriate in, and about equipment that performs as the designers intended. If you add to that a very pleasing appearance in and out, the whole suggests value for the money you’re going to spend. The Mercedes component of this is bang up to the minute technology for both engine and transmission. What that achieves is a cleaner, greener performance and devices to make the going as safe and steady as possible. For me it was palpable. However if you don’t have experience of this size vehicle it should be treated initially with considerable respect. Our mileage was not extensive but was sufficient to appreciate the good road holding and handling qualities for a machine that feels right. On price, if you compare like with like, as nearly as is possible you’ll no doubt come to a conclusion that the price is competitive indeed.
TECHNICAL DATA
Vehicle specification: Auto-Sleepers Gloucester two-berth Profile Motorhome
Price of vehicle tested: £59,995 on the road
Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by: Marquis Motorhomes, The Causeway. Great Billing, Northampton, NN3 9EX. Tel: 01604 402888
CONVERSION
Overall length: 7.29m
Overall width: 2.35m
Overall height: 3.13m
MPTLM: 3880kg
Payload: 445kg
Construction: insulated laminated construction with GRP exterior
Fresh water capacity: 91-litres
Waste water capacity: 76-litres
Gas storage capacity: two x 13kg cylinders
Auxiliary battery: 100Ah
Refrigerator: Dometic 88-litre refrigerator
Water heater: Truma combined space and water heating by gas or electric
Lighting: mix of LED, Spotlights and tungsten fittings
Upholstery: a mixture of autumn shades in various designs
Other equipment fitted: Automatic transmission, alloy wheels, cruise control, cab air conditioning
BASE VEHICLE
Type: LWB Mercedes chassis cab
Power unit: 2148cc turbo diesel
Maximum power: 163bhp @ 3800rpm
Maximum torque: 360Nm @ 1400rpm
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Steering: power assisted rack and pinion
Braking: All wheel discs with ABS
PERFORMANCE
Fuel consumption: 26mpg estimated
Maximum speed: 80mph estimated
Comfortable cruising speed: 65-70mph
