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St Tropez - Multi Purpose Vehicle (Living)
 Thank you for visiting our new Internet site. As an up-to-date business, we want to give you the opportunity to stay in touch with our company and our offers. A new content management system will enable us to always keep you up to date. We are the proud producers of the St Tropez. A very special multi purpose vehicle designed for living life to the full. Let us tell you a bit more about it.....
Today we expect more from our cars than simply transport. We are now far more adventurous with our leisure time. Thousands of us drive and explore the UK and Europe each year. Our vehicles are required to transport us on skiing trips – climbing and walking excursions – airport runs – picnics. We require our vehicles to pick up shopping – cart mountain bikes – transport D.I.Y materials or garden centre ‘must haves’. To take us on holidays – tow boats and many other tasks.
The motor manufacturing industry has for sometime now been aware of the fact that cars could be more ‘in tune’ with our requirements other than simply transport. Cup holders in abundance started to appear some years ago, followed by ‘seat back tables’ and seats that would rotate and almost lay flat for a ‘snooze’. More recently tiny fridges have been incorporated in some M.P.V’s. However in order for their vehicles to remain competitively priced in today’s car market they have not been able to develop what is required by many of us. Anything that cannot appeal to everyone is classed as ‘niche market’, and is therefore generally not viable. Lifestyle Vehicle Developments on the other hand specialise in designing and building for ‘niche markets’ such as the Motor Caravan Industry.
The above observations plus comments taken from surveys carried out by questioning those visiting Caravan and Leisure Exhibitions regarding motor caravan requirements were used to create a design brief from which Barry Stimson developed the St-Tropez M.P.V. (L) multi purpose vehicle (living).
 DRIVING
1 – A proper four seat-driving capsule is created within the uncompromised steel bodywork for strength, with proper ergonomic seating and three point seat belts for safety. The overall length of the Stimson St-Tropez is only that of an average estate car and at 1.97 m in height, parking around town won't be a problem either.
 DINING
2 – A proper dining room is created around the freestanding table. All seats have adjustable backrests, the seats also swivel and slide ‘in or out’ making seat positioning for eating extremely comfortable, unlike many motor caravans.
LOUNGE
3 – The ‘fully’ adjustable swivel seating can be adjusted to your exact requirements. The freestanding table can be lowered to create a coffee table if required or simply removed. The table can also be used ‘outdoors’. This flexibility allows the user or users to arrange the area to suit the mood. Maybe to invite a couple of newly met friends in for a drink and chat. Or maybe recline a couple of the seats using the other two seats as ‘foot stools’ just right for reading ‘that book’ or how about a ‘snooze’? This genuine lounge area cannot be achieved with many motor caravans, where people often have to sit side by side on a small seat usually called a ‘sofa’ in the brochures, looking into the ears of the other people onboard. A ‘snooze’ would be out of the question as seating is seldom reclinable.
 KITCHEN
4 – A proper galley in (G.R.P) with fold out ‘U’ section makes the preparation and cooking of food – comfortable - simple and - hygienic. Over 2mts (6’ 3”) of work surface is created. There is a ‘lip’ round all work surfaces to prevent liquid spillage running onto the surface of the floor. Large radii make cleaning simple and effective. Hot and cold water is plumbed in. There is a four-burner hob and grill – a fridge with ice compartment – a sink and pull out shower tap. All can be used from inside or outside the vehicle.
TOILET
A 335 porta loo slides out on a special plint (plinth shown in above pic with black handle at low level) into the shower area where it can be used even with the beds made up. Removal is from the rear of the vehicle.
SHOWER
5 – A swing down G.R.P (glass fibre) shower curtain housing, allows a drop down shower-curtained cubicle to be formed within the one-piece shower tray section of the vehicle.
 BEDROOM
6 – A proper sleeping room can be created instantly providing two single beds over 2mtrs (6ft 3ins) long, with walkway between. The four seats simply fold flat.
ROOF
7 – A ‘one piece’ G.R.P roof has a double skinned section that is filled with an acoustic/thermal material. - G.R.P is used extensively in the construction of the Stimson St-Tropez. It is lightweight yet immensely strong, unlike acrylics or polypropylene. G.R.P is a comparatively expensive material to build with; however it is extremely low maintenance and is incredibly durable.
UNDER FLOOR SECTION
8 – The second ‘level’ under floor section of the Stimson St-Tropez has also been carefully designed as a ‘separate area’ to accommodate bedding that does not necessarily ‘live well’ with other items related to living.
 INSIDE/OUTSIDE LIVING
9 – However the piece de résistance has got to be the inside/outside living possibilities. The Stimson St-Tropez allows the users to use the – galley – taps – sink – hob – grill – fridge from inside or outside the vehicle. Two fold up worktops complete the ‘U’ shaped galley, great for BBQ and alfresco eating, or even a ‘pit stop’ en route when stretching legs.
Don’t let the Stimson St-Tropez’s smooth aerodynamic – low profile deceive you, she’s a full size motor caravan, she simply doesn’t look like a normal conversion on a ‘bread van’. The galley and furniture in the Stimson St-Tropez is made in G.R.P. The soft curves, subtle colours and beautiful materials have been designed to blend seamlessly with the base vehicle. The Stimson St-Tropez has sliding doors left and right and a hinged tailgate providing weather protection.
St Tropez Motorhome based on the Renault Traffic SL27 dCi 115 6 speed SWB, inclusive of VAT, road fund licence and first registration fee (e.g. on the road price) £27,995
Optional Extras:
dCi 155 Please call ( automatic transmission £tbc)
Air conditioning £764
Metallic paint £393
Passenger airbag £259
Electric windows and door mirrors £323
Roof colour coded £275
Webasto Diesel heating £695
Double bed infil £250
Leather seats £385
Tow bar with single electrics £185
Customers would be asked to place a £2000 deposit on order with the balance on cleared on collection.
In the meantime for more information you can see us at up coming shows or book a demonstration at your home. Go to the 'Contact us' page to order brochures, book demonstrations at your home or just give us a call for a chat. We'd love to hear from you.
Would you believe that this SWB rising roof camper has a shower? No, neither did Peter Vaughan until he saw it with his own eyes
Barry Stimson is a man who likes to set himself impossible targets. And then achieve them. But having previously turned a small Renault car into a four-berth motorcaravan. And created a coachbuilt with a staircase to an upper bedroom, you might think he'd settle for something a bit more humdrum- Not Barry. In fact his latest project - a motorcaravan of MPV size and practicality, but with an onboard shower - has to be one of his most ambitious. But now we've seen it and it's ready to go on sale at well under £30,000.
Called St Tropez (where we'd like to have done the photoshoot, rather than Portsmouth in December!) this new Design Developments creation is based on a Renault Trafic SWB van. If the shape is more familiar than the name that's because the same vehicle is also sold as the Nissan Primastar and Vauxhall Vivaro, which LVD will also convert if you prefer either of those brands. It's a great start, because this is one of our favourite base vehicles, especially with the refined lOObhp turbo-diesel and six-speed gearbox. In silver, with factory fitted side windows (tinted by LVD) it certainly has the looks to match any of the current MPV brigade.
Inside ifs clearly a Barry Stimson design. The four swivelling, reclining seats are identical car-like lay-flat chairs with head restraints, the furniture is all molded GRP and the decor is simple and modem. But it's the thoughtful design touches and the storage compartments where others simply waste space that really make this camper stand out from the crowd. Plus the fact that the galley has been designed for use from either inside or outside the vehicle.
The layout seems simple. Four seats up front, all facing forward (and equipped with three-point belts) for travel, followed by a U- shaped kitchen at the rear (blocking off the lift-up taileate at the backl. PI-ii-inp the (which of course provides a little shelter) and you can still reach the cooker, sink and fridge. No longer does the cook have to go inside an already hot 'van to prepare your al fresco summer-time luncheon. Indeed, two flip up worktops create a U-shaped galley outside as almost a mirror what is available from within the vehicle.
And the clever stuff does not end there, as sliding doors in the rear of the kitchen provide access to storage lockers, the gas compartment (with room for a 4.5kg cylinder), and the Porta-Potti for servicing. The boiler, water pump and charging system are also all sited here for ease of maintenance and repair. A great deal of thought has gone into making life easy when components inevitably need attention, be it replacing a light bulb or servicing the gas system.
Using the St Tropez’s kitchen outside will be very appealing in St Tropez in June, and Lifestyle Vehicle Developments have even develop a simple sunshade/wind break awning to attach to the tailgate if there is as an optional extra. But what about camping in Dover in December? Well, that's just as practical, but you'll use the galley from inside. The high-mounted fridge still makes perfect sense and the L-shaped worktop even has a lip to catch spillages- The simple-to-use front-hinged elevating roof provides copious headroom where you need it - in the galley area.
Look at the kitchen floor and you'll notice that it is part of the kitchen itself - there's no join, it's a one-piece moulding- And there's a drain hole in the middle. Look up and you'll see a GRP casing attached to the under-side of the roof. It contains the shower curtain, which drops down into the kitchen area to create a surprisingly useable shower (approximately 750mm by 750mm). The showerhead is the tap from the sink pulled out and hand held, while hot water is sourced from a gas only Propex Malaga boiler. You might not choose to use this arrangement when staying on a full facility Bite, but it means that a shower is possible wherever you stay, which could be particularly useful for sporty types. Alternatively, the showerhead will reach out through the back to hose off muddy boots after a walk or sandy children after a day on the beach. Just as versatile as the kitchen-cum-shower area, is the St Tropez's seating. Four doors offer excellent access for passengers and mean that those in the back can always alight onto the pavement, while substantial steel seat bases (with lockable storage compartments) add reassurance when considering safety issues. But on site those four seats all swivel to face each other and create a lounge/dining area that belies the compact nature of the vehicle. A free-standing table with four-footed base is not only sturdy and stable but can, of course, be used outside too.
The versatility of the seating doesn’t end there. Two single beds are quick and easy to make. You can create chaise-longue style recliners for feet-up relaxation, and the cook can turn one of the rear seats to face the galley while keeping an eye on the toast. Naturally, seat height has been considered too and the raised floor of the lounge area not only ensures comfortable seating whichever direction the seats face, but it allows a shallow under floor locker to house sleeping bags.
Other design features such as the troughs at the side of the roof to catch (and tidy) the canvas sidewalls when the roof is lowered (and double as shelves when the roof is up) have been seen before in Barry Stimson designs. Other touches, such as the fully lined kitchen cupboards (to cut out rattles) are just common sense. Neat too, is the combined splashguard and blind for the rear window. But equally, Barry was keen to listen to our comments and agreed that the five spot lamps of the prototype gave insufficient general illumination- More high-level lighting will be added. And it is hoped that a blind can replace the curtain for the windscreen. Our only other discussions centred around some of the St Tropez's fittings and what should be included as standard. We would prefer a compressor fridge (no ugly external vents) and diesel-powered heating (less drain on the gas supply), either of which could probably be catered for as an option. What is unequivocal, though, is that Mr Stimson has done it again. An eye-catching little camper, with more than a hint of MPV, seasoned with fresh thinking and unique touches, all based on a class-leading van. Sounds like a winning recipe to us.
Make/model: Design Developments St Tropez
Base vehicle: Nissan Primastar Access, Renault Trafic, Vauxhall Vivaro SWB
Engine: 1.9-lilre turbo-diesel
Price from: Around £26,200 on the road
Price as tested; £27,467 on the road
Overall length: 1.78m (15ft 8in)
Overall width: 1.90m (6ft 2in)
Overall height: 1,97m (6ft 5in), roof down
Internal height: 2,20m (7fl 3in), max roof up
Bed sizes: Two single beds 1,92m x 0,56m (6ft3.5inx 1ft 10in)
Gross vehicle weight: 2,900kg
Payload: 1,100kg (estimated on pre-production vehicle)
Travel seats: 4, inc driver
Fresh water: 40 litres
Waste water: 40 litres
Auxiliary battery: 85Ah
I Kitchen: Smev four-burner hob and grill. Eleclrolux RM4213 60 litre fridge with electronic ignition, molded sink
Toilet: Porta-Potti 345 stored in kitchen cupboard
Space and water heating: No space healing as standard, Propex. Malaga II boiler
Other features: Four swivel reclining seats with head restraints, free-standing table, two sliding side doors, mains hook-up and Zig charging unit, double 230V power point, shower, five halogen spot lamps, front hinged elevating roof
Options: Cab bunk bed, cab air-conditioning (£764), Propex blown-air heating (£352), metallic point (£352), upgrade from 82bhp to lOObhp 1.9dCi engine
PLUS POINTS:
Four car-style swivel seats for versatility, twin sliding doors, kitchen designed for use inside or outside, shower with cleverly integrated shower tray in floor, lockable under-seal storage, easy external access lo service items, compact overall dimensions, great to drive
RIVALS:
Danbury Active (Renault Trafic)
CMC Reimo Toscona (Renault Trafic]
Bilbo's Nexa [VWT5]
WHICH MOTORCARAVAN VERDICT:
Total marks out of 5 - 4.5
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