Birchover All-Motion

Don’t want to be a stick-in-the-mud? With raised suspension and four-wheel drive, this Tango-tastic camper could be for you…

THERE has long been a niche sector for offroad-capable leisure vehicles – everything from basic Land Rover campers for those willing to rough it, up to Unimogs kitted out for year-long safaris where there simply are no roads. In between, you’ll find four-wheel drive versions of motorhomes from companies such as Hymer (including its new CrossOver models) and RP Motorhomes (see our April issue) – both using the impressive Mercedes Sprinter 4x4. Those needing something a bit smaller – or more affordable – might have been temped to look at the Volkswagen Transporter 4Motion… except that the VW really hides its mud-plugging credentials under a bushel. Or it did until Hillside Leisure got hold of it...

FOUR BY FOUR BEFORE

Of course, a VW camper with all-wheel drive is not new. The Germans dabbled with the idea of a 4x4 microbus as long ago as the 1970s but the bay window Type 2 with more never reached production. That changed in 1984 with the arrival of the Syncro derivative of the rear-engined T3 (or T25) Transporter, which was a proper off-road vehicle with increased ground clearance.

When the Transporter went front-engined and front-wheel drive with the T4, though, the 4x4 model became harder to spot. Then, with the T5 and T6, the name changed from Syncro to 4Motion, while the emphasis stayed on coping with snow in Switzerland and Austria, more than bouncing over boulders where you’d find Land

Rover Defenders and Mercedes G-Wagens.

So, over the last couple of decades, a few buyers have dug deep into the pockets and forked out thousands extra to have four-wheel drive on their VW camper – without anyone else really noticing. Now, though, in this post-pandemic world, there are lots of new, younger, more adventurous buyers of campervans, some of whom want to be able to go off the beaten track. Hillside Leisure, in Derby, isn’t the first company to tap into this niche but the addition of a separate model in the range – the Birchover All-Motion – can be seen as a significant move from such a major converter.

As a toe in the water, Hillside built a 4x4 camper to take to the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show in February 2020. Just like the

Rolling Homes Expedition (another VW that was prepared to get its wheels dirty), which had debuted there, Hillside’s camper sold instantly and interest from showgoers was through the roof.

FUEL FOR THOUGHT

Hillside has always offered its customers the 4Motion option, in the same way that you might specify an engine upgrade or DSG gearbox. Not that you will have noticed, because (with regular road tyres and wheels) they look just like any other VW T6.1. And that’s not what customers want when they order an off-road campervan.

The reason the Rolling Homes Expedition was so eye-catching was because it was bright orange, had roo bars big enough to take on an elephant and great big knobbly all-terrain tyres. Had it been a regular, fresh-out-the-factory, VW 4Motion panel van, featuring all the sex appeal of a dreary people-carrier with a ‘Baby on board’ sticker in the window, it’s unlikely anyone would have given it a second glance.

So, in a nutshell, following the success of that NEC show experiment, Hillside has taken the decision to launch a 4x4 camper with its own name – the Birchover All-Motion. If you want an off-roader and you spot this on Hillside’s forecourt, what you see is what you get, as pretty much everything is included in the standard £58,995 price tag.

Since the 4Motion is already four-wheel drive, Hillside starts its rugged transformation by adding all the aesthetic stuff, as well as a few practical elements. That starts with an Eibach lift kit, which raises the height of the vehicle by 35mm to give extra ground clearance. Then it adds 17in wheels and all-terrain tyres, and sporty black decals (including wheelarch surrounds not shown on our test vehicle) to complete the go-anywhere vibe. And, if the bright orange paint (a special order colour, costing £500) is a bit much for you and your Raybans, then there are lots of other VW colours to choose from instead.

The base vehicle is a Transporter T32 in Highline spec. That’s the heaviest version of the VW van, chosen to allow for the extra weight of the four-wheel drive running gear. It ensures you still get a healthy payload of 700kg.

As standard, the All-Motion also comes with the popular 150PS turbo-diesel engine (our recommendation for any T6.1), with a six-speed manual gearbox. For an extra £5k, you can upgrade to the range-topping 204PS engine with a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

Meanwhile, Highline specification means you get colour-coded bumpers and mirrors, but it’s mainly behind the wheel that you’ll appreciate the extra toys. For example, the T6.1 comes with front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control with speed limiter, sidewind assist, front assist with emergency braking system, electric folding and heated door mirrors and Volkswagen App Connect. Other features include a DAB+ radio with 6.5in colour touchscreen, leather multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth, heated front windscreen, automatic windscreen wipers, hill hold assist and cab air-con, while a factory-fitted alarm and immobiliser are standard, too. VW also includes a three-year warranty and roadside assistance.

On smooth, dry, Tarmac, the 4Motion often feels much like any other VW Transporter but, unlike some 4x4 vans, the T6.1 has permanent four-wheel drive, so the benefits are there as soon as the going gets wet or slippy – without pressing any buttons or fiddling with extra levers. Its Torsen differential distributes power 40:60 between the front and rear wheels in normal circumstances but, when – as Billy Ocean says – the going gets tough, the system automatically apportions power to the tyres with the most grip.

It’s not all good news, though, because the raised ride height can make the VW feel a bit bouncy compared with the standard model and the taller stance means this Birchover is much less likely to slip under a height barrier at your local car park than a more conventional camper. Of course, being higher off the ground also makes it a greater climb up into the ’van – something to consider if you don’t have the legs of a supermodel.

Another drawback to consider is fuel consumption – the best we achieved was 27mpg, which compares to around 34mpg for an equivalent front-wheel drive version. But if you’re reading this, I suspect you’ve gone ‘la-la-la’ through the downsides because you’ve already made your mind up that you want – nay, need – a four-by-four.

BIRCHOVER PLUS

The Birchover is the mainstay of the Hillside portfolio and the All-Motion version joins the S, Classic and Executive as the fourth derivative in the range – all feature a typical side kitchen layout with an RIB bench/bed and an SCA poptop (or a much less frequently seen high-top).

The All-Motion’s living area is borrowed from the Birchover Classic, where ample storage, as well as functionality, is key. That starts with Hillside’s trademark swing-out cupboard door that conceals the 65-litre compressor fridge/ freezer and the gas-powered grill above. With several shelves, the hinged locker is deep enough to store all kinds of smaller items, from mugs and cups to packets and tins.

To the right of the fridge, there are three big cupboards, which are perfect for pots and pans, food, etc – but there are no drawers (not even one for cutlery). Above the fridge, there’s a combined two-burner hob and stainless-steel sink under individual black glass lids. Upmarket Corian worktops, available in a choice of colours, mean the kitchen should be really hard-wearing, while – unusually in a VW campervan – a small 230V boiler provides hot water to the kitchen sink and an external activity shower when you’re hooked up to the mains.

The storage continues with a wardrobe in the back corner, and this can be specified with shelves or a hanging rail. Below the RIB bench, there are another two cupboards, one of which houses the Dometic portable loo. Then, above the galley, there’s a small open shelf that’s handy for storing bits and bobs like your phone. A lollipop reading light with a built-in USB port is adjacent, while a pair of three-pin sockets and a 12V plug live below, along with the control panel.

Hillside is a VW-approved converter and a member of its recently launched Motorhome Qualification Scheme (as well as having European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval and NCC Approval), so its panel vans arrive with Volkswagen factory-fitted options, including a split-charging system and crashtested swivelling cab seats. Because of the depth of the kitchen unit, there’s extremely limited legroom when the driver’s seat is swivelled, but

the rotating passenger seat is most welcome and a lot more comfortable than the double passenger seats often seen in VW Transporters.

Mealtimes are catered for with a table on an island leg, and both the tabletop and leg clip to the end of the kitchen unit, behind the driver’s seat. You can only reach the table from the rear bench seat.

NIGHT, NIGHT

Come night-time, the side windows and tailgate window are fitted with blinds and flyscreens and there’s a removable curtain on press studs for the cab. It’s worth noting, though, that the back window’s blind frame does reduce visibility somewhat to the rear.

As always, the RIB bench is rather high off the floor for comfortable sitting, but it transforms very easily into a double bed measuring 1.80m by 1.20m. One thing we like about the RIB design is that its rearmost section can be tilted to create a sort of chaise longue.

By day, the back seat features two seatbelts and Isofix fixings but it lacks the versatility of a sliding seat system (as seen in the California and models from the CMC HemBil range, for example). With belts for four, the Birchover AllMotion is a four-berth – the second bed is, of course, housed in the elevating roof and the mattress here measures 2.00m by 1.10m and sits on a wooden slatted base. Four uplighters on either side of the ’van illuminate the pop-top at night, while a long LED strip light on either side provides lighting down below.

You can not only choose from a wide range of exterior paintwork for your Birchover AllMotion, but also upholstery and furniture colours. The grey automotive-style interior here is always a popular choice, while the black leather upholstery costs £2,095 extra. The only other option fitted was an upgrade from 17in to 18in alloy wheels (equipped with off-road tyres to give you proper benefit from the four-wheel drive), at an additional £695.

At £62k as tested, then, the latest Birchover retains Hillside’s usual reputation for good value for money – it would be easy to spend more on a two-wheel drive camper and then get stuck on a campsite’s wet grass…