Toyota Granvia
ORIENTAL MEETS OCCIDENTAL
Words and photos by John Page
If your preference is for a high performance Camper no bigger than a car yet complete with all the cooking, sleeping and eating gear look no further than Wellhouse Leisure of West Yorkshire who specialise in the type. Our vehicle came off the Japanese production line in 2002 as an eight-seater people carrier. Later, shipped to the UK by WL, it underwent a complete conversion to Two-berth Camper including a high-top roof. The interior headroom is now a comfortable 1.88m. Front seat swivels and the multi-purpose seats made possible the four-seater lounge and two single beds, with the rear section housing all the equipment needed to sustain a modest but comfortable lifestyle. In plain language, an entire package totally in keeping with the concept of week-ender plus picnic wagon. But don’t run away with the idea that its potential ends there because the highly efficient petrol or diesel fuelled heater is more than capable of maintaining a comfortable temperature when it’s well below zero outside as we discovered among the high ground of West Yorkshire. So, in or out of season, if you are an outdoor person Granvia makes a great highly mobile base.
Construction Obviously the body the body is of steel, the roof is of GRP and the sturdily constructed furniture is built from Vohringer lightweight ply. Locker and cupboard space is impressive, especially the locker above the cab that will swallow masses of gear as well as sleeping tackle. Tinted glass all round is more than a fashion accessory, confusing the opportunist thief, reducing the sun’s glare and with privacy as a bonus. Pleated blinds for the rear windows and detachable screens for the cab complete the night time privacy.
On the Road
Very few compact Campers will have a 3.4-litre, V6, 180bhp motor purring away under the cowl but this one does along with four-speed automatic transmission, ABS, and 16-inch alloy wheels. The suspension also merits a mention, boasting the superior double wishbone engineering for the front wheels and semi-trailing link, coil spring independent type for the pair at the rear end. Climate control at the dashboard means exactly that with a precise degree of temperature control that dealt very well with our sub-artic weather in the early mornings. Leaving aside the minor distraction of the trafficator and wiper control adjustment being on opposite sides to our European standard, this was a cockpit of sophistication yet easy control because all functions are clearly marked and with tell-tale lights. I’ve no idea what maximum speed this machine is capable of but at anywhere close to 70mph it was comfortable and quiet. Large, powered rear-view mirrors were reassuring and I had no grouse other than the fact that the power has to be paid for with a fuel consumption of not a lot more than 20mph plus. However using the LPG conversion fitted to this vehicle sees the price per litre drop to an altogether more reasonable figure of around 55p. Another benefit is that LPG is kinder to the engine in the long term. Bonus points for passengers in the back include the loud speaker and air con’ outputs directed to the rear.
Putting on the Style
It really is remarkable that within a vehicle of just 4.79m length and 1.80m width there is not only space for two people to spread themselves but also the support systems for them to be warm, nourished and sleeping easily. It is all about intelligent use of the space available and the designer’s experience of what is essential to make things work without hassle. The basic four seat plan here is a well tried one where the front seats are manipulated to face rearwards, recline and later in the day form part of the single beds. That they do this without impairing the necessary shape for motoring is quite something. Another cardinal point with this floor plan is the easy access it gives to the sliding door and the galley.Change to lounge mode from travelling is a relatively straightforward matter of reversing the front seats to a sociable fore and aft arrangement where everyone gets a to see the surroundings. A little practice for the rotating procedure is advisable although WL tells us that the next Granvarias off the line will have different smoother operating swivels. An economical mix of tungsten and LED lights give ample illumination where it’s most needed directly above the galley and the diner and a pair of strategically placed mains electricity sockets could power anything from a kettle to a lap-top. Fabrics chosen to emphasize space and please the connoisseur of abstract design looked well with the soft grey wall coverings. Not quite so clever was a table at least 10cm higher than it ought to be, that we outwitted by plumping the backrest cushions on the seat cushions when time for lunch. Future Granvias including this one will sport tables at the optimum height.
Sleeping
Single beds are obligatory for the very good reason that they are simple to make ready and that once made they allow free passage to the rear of the vehicle. All that’s needed to get ready is the folding flat of the backrests of the two front seats and the sliding forward of the two rear seat bases so that front and rear cushions butt together. Two small cushions from the rear seat backrests drop neatly into their respective gaps and the process is ready for two somnolent horizontal campers. Neat pleated blinds for the side windows slide into place and cab screens up front completes the bed time procedure. Now shut the Radio/CD down using the remote and dream of hills to climb tomorrow.
Food making
If you won’t forgo your Sunday roast you’d better look elsewhere. If however you can make do with naturally nourishing food boiled, steamed or lightly fried, look no further. These two hob burners can do that and a whole lot more. We are addicted to pasta, rice, mixed veg’, fish, curry etc, plus plenty of fruit and veg. WL can of course fit a grill or an oven as an option on their larger vehicles. Galley stowage is good and well planned, including the 40-litre Waeco battery powered fridge at a convenient height opposite the main worktop. This type of fridge reaches its operating temperature quickly and is frugal of power consumption. Fresh and waste water containers are inboard and accessible in the lowest locker of the main working unit.
Washroom
Obviously a washroom is not on the cards but it is practical to have one of the smaller portable flushing toilets on board tucked away in a floor level cupboard. A proven idea is to include an annexe tent as portable washroom, possibly integral with an awning. If one is a member of one of the clubs today there are hundreds of campsites with all facilities but my guess is that if you are a buyer of this type of Camper the location aimed for will be somewhere in the out of the way spots where homo sapiens are scarce and fauna is king.
Stowage
It is not an exaggeration to state that in Granvia the overall stowage capacity is very good and an encouragement to keeping things tidy. In fact the section of the interior that has the galley equipment is positively bristling with lockers, cupboards and various shelves. Cycles can be carried on racks attached to the tailgate and on flat roof Campers rails for surf boards etc can be fitted.
Summary
This machine is but one of approximately 50 similar types normally in stock at Shepley. They have bigger and smaller Campers on Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Volkswagen, Ford and Daihatsu. Prices range from around £12,000 to £20,000 plus. So there is a real choice of this marque from the other side of our world where they also do the civilised thing and drive on the left.Our experience in mostly sub zero weather testing Granvia was interesting at rest, scribbling or stretching the legs of the V6 motor. With a couple of minor exceptions it all worked as WL intended and the hassle factor was absent. Reassuring to potential buyers is the three-year warranty applied by Wellhouse Leisure to the habitation and the mechanical parts of their vehicles. And the full service and MOT applied to them before delivery.
