MOTOR caravanning is growing in popularity. As more families recognise the fun and freedom that can be enjoyed in a mobile home, so manufacturers and importers are answering the challenge to provide the ideal holiday on wheels.

Many of the latest motor caravans had their credentials checked at the recent Motor Caravan Design and Drive competition, now in its sixth year, which attracted 38 entries from 23 manufacturers and importers.

It was not a case of judges just looking at the entries and admiring from a distance.

No, they went over each home with a fine- tooth comb, checking the vehicle's drive quality, acceleration, stability, gearbox ratios, driver ergonomics, handling, manoeuvrability, braking, visibility, value for money and interior generated noise, while a second team spent their time crawling over the inside,covering everything from payloads to kitchens and bathrooms, water systems and heating, storage and lighting, sleeping and seating.

Altogether there were six classes, all dictated by price levels. Class one was for vehicles priced up to £28,000, and prices gradually rose through the remaining five classes until peaking at around £116,000, yet it was a minnow by comparison that captured the major title of overall winner. The Devon Moonraker, one of six entries in the van conversion class up to £28,000, captured the judges' attention in all sections.

There were six entries in the class. Despite a formidable showing from Danbury versions, it was the Devon, with its Volkswagen Transporter 1.9-litre based Moonraker conversion, that won. This, the first of two Devons entered into the competition, saw off close rivals from previous winner Murvi's Mallard (based on Fiat's popular 2.0-litre Ducato) and Lifestyle Vehicle Development's 1.9-litre Nissan Primastar-based Stimson St Tropez. The Danbury contingent filled the remaining places, with the Renault Trafic-based Active high top short wheelbase just edging ahead of the 2.0-litre Fiat Ducato-based siblings, the Sunchaser and Spacecruiser.

The class dealing with van conversions over £28,001 but under £30,000 was won by the Timberland Freedom II, with the Murvi Morello second and the Auto-Sleepers Tomaz third. This section attracted ten entries, and it seemed fitting that two of the most successful manufacturers in the history of the competition should square up against each other for top honours. Others in the class were the Devon Monaco, Bilbo's Nexa Low Lie and Celex, Horizons Unlimited Cavarno 2 high top, Concorde Compact TL, Robel Aeron and Danbury Active long wheelbase high top twin single bed.

There were only three entries for the coach-built versions up to £30,000. Auto-Sleeper's brand new Mezan managed to put clear air between itself and the battle between contenders from giants Swift group and Explorer group. Its car-like driving environment, classy, well-made living quarters and quite superb ride quality impressed everyone. The Ace Genova managed to see off the Elddis Autoquest by a small margin, this despite its less powerful 2.0-litre Fiat Ducato base and steeper asking price.

The Knaus Sun Tl 650 MF won the class for coachbuilts between £30,001 and £45,000 (and was also voted best imported vehicle), with the Pioneer Renoir second and Auto-Sleeper Inca EK third. The new Sun sneaked ahead of the impressive Pioneer by virtue of its 2.5-litre Renault Master base, styling and smart interior. The Pioneer Renoir's agile handling, squat, handsome styling and appealing end washroom layout stood out, too. There were 11 entries in the class, including the Auto-Sleeper Nuevo, Lunar Telstar, Rimor Superbrig 678, Autocruise Starseeker, Compass Calypso, Swift Kon-Tiki 610, Bessacarr E450 and Avondale Seascape 5 SLX.

The class for coachbuilts over £45,000 attracted six entries, with the Robel Delmun 620HD taking the honours followed by the Swift Kon Tiki 660 and Bessacarr E795. Others in the class were the Laika Kreos 3002, Auto-sleeper Midas EL and Burstner Delfin Performance 700.

The flagship A-Class attracted just two entries, so it was left to the excellent Laika Ecovip H680 to take on the Concorde Charisma I 880L, by far the biggest and most expensive at £116,000. However the Laika's Fiat 2.8-litre engine was no match for the Concorde's 2.7-litre five-cylinder Mercedes-Benz Sprinter unit.

Updated: 16:08 Thursday, June 02, 2005