PANAMA P12

If you're looking for a camper that can ferry the whole family about during the week, the new P12 might be the answer, says Peter Baber

The new, two-strong Panama campervan range that Marquis Leisure is taking on is produced in Peñíscola, in eastern Spain. As a new company, Panama can do things differently, and one of the first things you'll notice about the P12 is that it is based on the Ford Tourneo Custom, rather than the Transit.

This means Panama can offer the option of having seven seats, making it easy to adapt for day-to-day use.

Our test model, which had five seats, also came with Ford's great new cab, with a central cabinet containing drinks holders and USB and USB-C ports, which you can shut away with a tambour door.

There is a huge infotainment screen, and we particularly liked the slightly square steering wheel, reminiscent of early-generation games consoles.

Pleasingly, the driver's seat can be swivelled right around with no obstructions. The cab seats and the three belted seats in the rear lounge surround a table that clips on and has four legs it can be put in different positions or used outside.

This area is well lit at night, thanks to dimmable lights in the panel below the roofbed. You also get even more USBS, to the left of the bench seat and on the right of the bench next to the Webasto diesel heater control panel above the side kitchen unit. Here you will also find a 12V socket and a mains socket - the latter handily inverted.