A few years back, we tested Horizon Motorhomes’s Wattle conversion of the early model Mercedes Sprinter van, and found it to be pretty darn well designed and built. So when the good folks at Ballina Campervans asked us to check out the updated Wattle, and see how the design has evolved, we thought it too good an opportunity to pass up.

While there’s nothing revolutionary about the latest offering, it’s clear how customer feedback and product development have combined to produce a more refined, more liveable camper, without sacrificing any of the original vehicle’s virtues.

The Vehicle

The most marked difference between models relates to the Sprinter vans, with the earlier 312D powered by a fivecylinder, 2.8L intercooled turbo-diesel with 90kW and 280Nm output, driving through a four-speed automatic transmission. The current 313CDI uses a four-cylinder 2.2L intercooled turbodiesel with high pressure, common-rail direct injection that produces 95kW and 300Nm. Power is not only up, it’s produced lower down in the rev range, and coupled to a six-speed Sprintshift gearbox, it’s a significant step forward.

The Sprintshift is an interesting transmission because it’s not fully automatic, but rather an automated manual transmission – as Mercedes describes it. In auto mode it pauses slightly between gear changes. Progress is rapid, but it takes a little while to adjust to the brief pause between shifts. A tiptronic mode is included, making gear changes immediate and slick.

Otherwise, the vans seem pretty much identical, with rear-wheel drive, independent front suspension, a rear live axle with leaf springs and an acre of room in the back for conversion. Being Mercedes, you expect a high level of safety, and four-wheel disc brakes and switchable ASR are worthwhile inclusions, but airbags weren’t fitted.

Cab air-conditioning is included with the Wattle, as is a single in-dash CD/radio, but electric windows and electric mirrors were also missing, and apparently not offered by Mercedes. Remote central locking was, however, fitted to the test vehicle.

On The Road

The Sprinter offers easy cab access, good visibility, plenty of headroom and comfortable seating – all ingredients for a happy driving experience. The passenger seat swivels 180° as well. The ‘little’ 2.2L turbo-diesel combines well with the Sprintshift and really gets things moving. In fact, there’s a real push-back-in-yourseat experience through the lower gears as the high-tech diesel gets going. It’s an eye-opening experience, and one that belies the modest size of the engine.

As mentioned, the Sprintshift isn’t a true automatic, but rather an assisted manual. The end result is the same; it’s just the method of execution that differs from the norm. Each of the six ratios seems well chosen, and as you slow down, it downshifts too, providing useful engine braking. However, it can get confused. For example, say you’re doodling along waiting for a break in the traffic to do a U-turn. Suddenly you put your foot down, but nothing happens for several seconds, then whoosh – you’re out of there. It’s a small point, but one worth being aware of.

Having six speeds to choose from keeps the engine spinning happily in its power band, and with maximum torque available from just 1600rpm and peak power at 3800, it’s a delightful touring engine. The steering wheel is a sporty four-spoke design, but has no adjustment. Handling is neutral, with little body roll and communicative steering, and overall the Wattle is a pleasure to drive.

On The Outside

The Sprinter is a long van, though more narrow than the Fiat Ducato, for example. It looks good with its short, sloping bonnet and this gives good engine access for routine checks and service. Externally, the most obvious difference between the two Wattles is the windows. They’ve progressed from the typical fixed-glass-van type to the latest Dometic double-glazed, opening single-hopper units, with built-in flyscreens and blinds… a godsend for fans of fresh air.

On the driver’s side there’s one window, mounted at the rear by the dinette/bed. The connector for mains power and the filler for the 107L stainless steel water tank are also on this side, though no mains water connector is provided. Two 4kg gas bottles live in a fibreglass compartment that, strangely, doesn’t lock, while the Thetford toilet cassette can be accessed through its own small door.

Around the back, the two big doors dominate and provide great access, but I was surprised not to find a highmounted rear stoplight. A solid rear step-bumper is a nice touch and the big tail-lights sit flush on their corners, above the bumper and (hopefully) well out of harm’s way.

On the kerbside, a 4m Fiamma F45 wind-out awning sits neatly against the side of the high roof section, with two external lights below. There are two windows, one at the rear by the dinette and the other on the sliding entry door. The great thing about these is they can be locked fractionally open, allowing airflow without compromising security. An external 240V power outlet is useful, and apart from the exhaust outlet for the Truma gas hot water boiler, there are no other modifications to this side of the van.

In The Kitchen

The main kitchen unit runs down the kerbside of the Wattle, from the sliding entry door to the dinette. Its front panel has a sturdy chrome grab handle to assist entry, and the forward part of the benchtop is angled for extra room. The design has evolved and the current Wattle has a more attractive and functional set-up than its predecessor.

The old Smev four-burner gas cooker, with hinged benchtop lid, has given way to a stylish three-burner unit by Cramer with a smoked glass lid. Similarly, a Cramer glass-lidded sink with folding tap has replaced the old fixed tap and sink/drainer. This frees up more benchtop and looks better too.

Gone too is the Smev gas oven, with the below-bench area now taken up by two double cupboards and a single, plus three drawers. Overhead cupboards and a rangehood are optionally available, though weren’t fitted to the test vehicle. On the rear end of the kitchen unit, by the dinette and tucked neatly up out of the way, is the hot water control switch and a water tank level gauge.

On the other side of the aisle sits a 110L Vitrifrigo fridge/freezer that runs on 12 or 240V only, though a three-way fridge is an option. Immediately above it is an 800W LG Intellowave microwave, and above that a small cupboard. The earlier Wattle had a smaller, 85L Engel fridge freezer, though both microwaves seem about the same capacity – around 19L. Daytime lighting is okay, with a clear roof hatch helping to brighten things up, while at night two fluorescent lights, one above the cooker and the other over the side door, do the honours.

At The Dinette

Long and comfortable, the dinette runs down both sides of the Wattle, from the kitchen to the back doors, with a removable table located towards the rear. There’s good seating room for four, although the table only suits two. It’s been moved rearward from the earlier model to make dinette access even easier, as do the chamfered corners. The backrest cushions give good lower-back support without being too tall, and all cushioning is thick and comfortable. Seatbelts for two were fitted to the test vehicle.

Opening hopper windows on both sides afford a great view and breeze while dining. Curtains across the back windows give night-time privacy, but the side windows rely solely on their in-built sliding blinds, which are fine, if a little austere. A second clear roof hatch, like the one in the kitchen, gives extra natural light, while a fluoro light above the kerbside window matches those in the kitchen. A pair of swivelling reading lights in the corners by the back doors can be called into play if required.

A run of three overhead cupboards provides useful extra storage, and three more are optional. The Wattle tested had an optional 15in Majestic LCD TV mounted neatly in the corner below where the overhead cupboards meet the fridge, and angled back so it can be watched from the dinette or bed. Unfortunately, the control buttons are all located on the top, making them difficult to reach and you’ll need the instruction booklet to know which button does what, as you can’t see the markings. Thank goodness for remote control. A CD/DVD/AM/FM entertainment system is available, though wasn’t fitted in this instance.

In The Bedroom

Come bedtime, the dining table is removed and stowed in its usual place, behind the driver’s seat and against the bathroom wall. You simply lift the driver’s side dinette seat cushions, which are supported on legs, and slide them across the aisle, which leaves a gap behind that is filled by the backrest cushions. These already have solid wooden bases built in, so no extra bed boards are required, and they fit very tightly.

The bed is large and, with your pillows fluffed-up against the back doors, those reading lights come into their own. Under-bed storage is good, with the Truma boiler and dual 110A house batteries nestled in the front corners, on the kerbside and driver’s side respectively. A variety of floor plans are offered in the Wattle range, including two four-berth layouts, and a two-berth with U-shaped dinette/bed and a rear boot that can take golf clubs and such.

Keeping Clean

Located immediately behind the driver’s seat, the bathroom tapers towards the rear to maintain aisle width, with the door set on an angle. This allows the Thetford electric-flush toilet to be set by itself at the wide end, with the shower and a very useful corner hand basin at the narrower end.

Above the loo is a wind-up fan-hatch for natural light and ventilation, while on the external wall just below is a fluorescent strip light. A small mirror is included, but I’d like to see a mirrored shaving cabinet in its place, as there is plenty of room for one and nowhere in the bathroom for storing life’s essentials.

Between the bathroom and fridge/microwave is a tall cupboard, combining a top shelf and hanging wardrobe. It also houses a double power point – one socket of which is used by the neighbouring microwave – and the dining table leg when not needed, plus plumbing for the shower and a couple of electrical circuit breakers. The main electrical control panel is opposite the bathroom, above the door as you enter the Wattle, and the only omission seems to be a battery monitor. Mind you, with 220A on hand and an internal charger, the two batteries won’t need much monitoring.

Worth Buying?

FACT FILE

Manufacturer: Horizon Motorhomes

Model: The Wattle

Vehicle: Mercedes Benz Sprinter 313CDI

LWB High Roof Van

Length: 21ft 6in (6.6m)

Height: 8ft 5in (2.6m)

Width: 6ft 2in (1.9m)

Tare Weight: 2800kg

GVM: 3550kg

Price as Tested: $87,000

When we first reviewed the Wattle, we said, “There’s no doubt the Mercedes Sprinter makes a great base vehicle for conversion and in adding it to their motorhome line-up, Horizon certainly has a winner”. It’s only improved since then.

The high-tech Mercedes diesel and six-speed Sprintshift are innovative, the kitchen’s improved and the use of European-style windows has added to both the appearance and feel of the vehicle. I’d love to see more colours, both inside and out, as the white van/grey interior is looking a bit dated. Still, from a practical point of view, Horizon’s Wattle just gets better and better. So, ‘wattle’ it be?

Clayton and Max at Ballina Campervan & Leisure

Centre for the loan of the Wattle. Contact

Clayton or Max, Tel: (02) 6681 1555, or visit:

www.ballinacampers.com.au.

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