Auto-Sleeper Orian Zeta ES

Delta into Zeta works well

Words and photos by John Page

In fact this Zeta ES represents a minor miracle from the ingenious way in which its genuine four-berth layout is slotted into a vehicle dimension of just 5.59m. Small enough to park quietly almost anywhere, yet turn on the proverbial sixpence when needs must. A perky little motorhome and a pleasure to look at – the perfect antidote to the legions of bulky overcab types invading us from east of Calais.  New Peugeot technology is responsible for the chassis cab on which the Zeta body is carefully mounted. The knowledgeable may remark the Zeta’s uncanny likeness to the Auto-Sleeper Nuevo ES, a sibling from the same Willersey stable but Zeta handsomely undercuts the Nuevo by £2,715 in standard form. Our destination this time close to the heart of Cotswold Country was the Caravan Club site on the periphery of delightful Cirencester.

Construction

Excepting the steel cab all other flat or shaped body panels are of GRP. Insulation for the floor is of Styrofoam, the walls and roof in polystyrene and Thinsulate in complex shapes of the various mouldings. A maximum gross weight of 3300kg for the Peugeot chassis gives a realistic 491kg of payload that should be ample for the crew and all their tackle, with a comfortable margin for bicycles or other sports gear. A roof rack and ladder for surf boards etc are an option but a towbar is not included in the factory fitted extras list. Imaginative design for the interior results in a practical no hassle approach for all the moving parts, the only exception being the fiddlesome supports for the centre section of the double bed. Plain timber supports might have looked less attractive but would be less fussy.

Utterly surprising is the feeling of space created by the uncluttered layout and materials that couple a light ash grain effect furniture with classy soft furnishings in a pale blue and oatmeal fabric. The paint job for the bodywork also reflects that theme. A good Radio/CD is a standard fitting, the passenger airbag a £211.50 option although it’s high time it should be a regular feature. On the plus side total control of the radio from buttons on the steering wheel as well as adjustment for the headlamp angle are both welcome safety features. Cruise control, alloy wheels, cab air con’ and upgrading the 2.2-litre motor to a 120bhp rating are also options. At £800 the engine upgrade is a snip that should pay for itself handsomely. The four-berth configuration of the ES is fully justified by the four forward facing fully belted sets, the comfortable space in which to eat and relax, plus the realistic size four berths. There is however a need to reduce the rake angle of the rear seat backrests that are at present less than comfortable.

Behind the wheel

There is something entirely satisfying about a vehicle that feels just right when you first take a seat in the cab and Zeta ES is just such a Motorhome. Outwardly, apart from the Peugeot motif on the bonnet, the cab appears identical to its Fiat X2/50 stable mate. And as you would expect the ride quality and low noise levels are every bit as good. Manoeuvrability, stemming from a short wheelbase chassis and an unbelievingly tight 11.06m turning circle was brilliant, particularly useful after taking a wrong turn down a narrow side street. Our motor, the optional 120bhp version, along with six gear ratios to juggle is a combination that takes you smoothly all the way to 70mph and probably close to the maker’s quoted 90mph were it legal.

Actually, the whole idea of these new engines is not to increase the maximum speed of the vehicles but to maintain engine speed at its most efficient. Sound proofing looked similar to the Fiat, tyre pressures were hard and the road surfaces on the M4 and various A roads were the usual mix of smooth to coarse. Perhaps full fuel and water tanks plus a heavier load than usual had a damping effect. Be that as it may this was one of the best ride quality experiences of recent tests. Part of our criteria for this concerns the ease or lack of it for listening to the wireless – Zeta recorded, great all the way to 65mph most of the time. Now, are you wondering what our mpg worked out at? This was an engine that had yet to complete 1,000 miles, driven without kid gloves to return 26.50mpg. And if tradition is a yardstick then there will be better things to come. Ah, nearly forgot the passengers. They each have forward facing seats with lap and diagonal seat belts and a fair view of the countryside. The slope of the backrests though is excessive and the head restraint angles are not helpful. We are told this is normal?

At rest

One key for the entire exterior locks including the entrance door is ideal but the manual step was a touch archaic. Remote central locking applies only to the cab doors, although not a problem as the rear door lock always worked smoothly. We were two in a Zeta built for four – therefore we had several choices of how and where to lean back and take stock. Reversing the cab seats was easier than usual with the Peugeot swivel release on the outside of the seat squab and a similar release for the backrest was an aid to getting the angle just so. Altogether a classy looking interior with nothing to upset the symbiotic harmony between the soft furnishings and the furniture. Good back support when you’re eating, so often ignored by designers, is neatly supplied in the Zeta by adjustable full length backrests. Excellent and comprehensive lighting, good insulation and no hassle operation of the tackle typify the Zeta ES concept. A mealtime seating option includes a pair of single dinettes when a cab seat is combined with a single rear seat and an island leg table between. Using the side seats as couches, one table is great for snacking – two for proper nosh as our picture describes. Tables and support legs stash in A/S fashion neatly against the wardrobe sides. Uncommonly visible and sensibly placed are the cluster of control switches and the metering dial for water tank and battery states. They are located on the wardrobe side facing into the lounge on the offside. The fire extinguisher and smoke alarm at eye level to the right of the entrance door looking outwards are again sensible and potentially most effective.

Sleeping

Downstairs, the choices are for a pair of singles utilising the cab seats butted against the couches or a lavish size double at a generous 1.98m long and 1.42m wide. The latter slightly fussy to prepare for the first time and simple thereafter. No argument the reflex foam filling to all the cushions guarantees swift shut-eye as well as the daytime comfort factor. The space above the cab can swallow mountains of personal gear, musical instruments or even the occasional deflated dinghy. It is of course also useful as a fairly generous size second double sleeper at 1.87m by 1.19m. One of the easiest of its type to make ready and in situ with just two cushions involved it will stay comfortable through the night. A substantial steel ladder with wide treads that hinges in two makes it simple to climb into bed and once installed there is good ventilation and lights at either end of the mattress. Night time privacy is complete when the blinds to the windows are slid smoothly into place and a heavy duty lined curtain drawn around the cab behind the seats. Overall, this is Pullman-sleeping quality for a crew of two, three or four campers.

The meal machine

The quality and practical aspect of this galley gives the lie to the notion that you need a big motorhome to allow space for a decent kitchen. Here is space and the equipment to keep four hearty eaters happy. At heart the extension flap slotting out from a housing over the fridge and the space directly over the fridge gives a large prep’ space separate from the working bits of cooker and sink. There are ample shelves and racks to hand and one big general purpose locker under the sink incorporating a portable waste container. In Brit style the sink is wide, the draining board ample and a full size domestic cooker for those who can’t quite bring themselves to abandon a Sunday roast. Is it the men or the women that insist on having the latter? Plenty of daylight to work by, the roof vent to serve as extractor over the cooker and more than ample light by day and the evening. Positioning the power sockets to the rear of the fridge top away from the sink and cooker is a distinct safety measure, doubly useful because it is the logical placed to plant the TV.

Washroom

Let’s get a couple of minor niggles out of the way to begin with. Why is the washroom window much larger than it need be, wasting heat and reducing privacy? And why was the sink waste pipe positioned horizontally to make draining the water ridiculously slow. Otherwise, floor space is fine, the removable mesh floor ideal and the towel rail sensibly high. Handy hooks for wet clothes just inside the door make sense and the locker under the sink was adequate for washroom tackle. Using the shower complete with its independent faucet was fine and in spite of the niggles, in space terms this washroom, like Pandora’s box, has space to spare.

Stowage

On the outside the waterproof locker at skirt level on the nearside contained the vehicle tools, mains lead when travelling and muddy boots after walking. Indoors lockers under the couches were easily accessed to stow photographic gear, more boots and assorted outdoor gear. There are roof lockers wherever there is wall space, bags of cubby holes in the cab doors and dashboard recesses to take loads of maps. Best of all, the cavern over the cab is ideal to dump and retrieve sleeping bags etc, musical instruments and picnic chairs.

Summary

Initially disappointed at the non-availability of the promised two-berth Nuevo, Zeta ES won us over with the look of the machine, its friendly layout and adaptability. For a family of three or four who may be concerned about their carbon footprint this is the machine – to explore the quiet out of the way places unobtrusively. It will be more economical to run than the bigger family motorhomes yet it has all the real necessities to stay comfortable and well fed. The two-berth Zeta has a lower profile and as a result should be marginally more economical on fuel and perhaps quieter due to the slimmer silhouette. There is also a price advantage of £1,200 compared to the ES Zeta. Leaving aside my few relatively trivial niggles Zeta ES qualifies as a user-friendly motorhome destined to win friends.

TECHNICAL DATA

Vehicle specification:  Orian Zeta ES, four-berth Motorhome

Price of vehicle tested: £38,352 incl 120bhp engine, Heki roof light, cycle rack.

Basic £37,041

Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by: Marquis Motorhomes, Oxford Road, Chieveley, Near Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 8RU. Tel: 01635 248888

Contact details: Auto-Sleepers Ltd, Orchard Works, Willersey, Nr Broadway, Worcs,

WR12 7QF. Tel 01386 853338.

CONVERSION

Overall length: 5.59m

Overall width: 2.69m incl mirrors

Overall height: 2.76m

MTPLM: 3,300kg

Payload: 491kg

Construction: Exterior of GRP panels and mouldings, with mixture of Styrofoam, polystyrene and Thinsulate insulation

Fresh water capacity: 72-litres

Waste water capacity: 40-litres

Gas storage: two 11kg cylinders

Auxiliary battery: 85Ah

Refrigerator: Dometic 77-litre fridge/freezer for 240v/gas/12v

Water heating: gas and electric Truma heater with 10-litre reservoir

Space Heating: Truma gas convector with blown air system

Lighting: Complete system of oval fluorescent fittings throughout

Upholstery: pale blue and oatmeal shade fabric

Other equipment fitted: Radio/CD

BASE VEHICLE

Type: Peugeot Boxer X2/50 short wheelbase chassis cab

Power unit: 2.2-litre HDi diesel engine

Maximum power: 120bhp @ 3600rpm

Maximum torque: 320 Nm @ 2000rpm

Transmission: six-speed manual to front wheels

Steering: power assisted rack and pinion

Braking system: four wheel discs with ABS

PERFORMANCE

Fuel consumption: 26,50 mpg

Maximum speed: estimated 85mph

Comfortable cruising speed: 65-70mph